About me
Welcome
You may be weighed down and struggling with anxiety, depression, attraction to unfulfilling relationships, trauma or loss, going through a major life transition or simply feel stuck in negative patterns of behaviour you cannot extract yourself from. The specific reasons why we seek therapy are as unique as we are, but the underlying reasons are shared by all of us.
It may be difficult to speak with friends or family, as they may try to offer advice which you may find unhelpful, or you may not want to burden them. If struggling alone with difficulties is affecting your daily life, it makes sense to talk things through with a trained psychotherapist.
Whether it’s short-term therapy to help you through this current period, or longer-term, open-ended therapy, just speaking your thoughts and worries aloud with a trained listener alongside you, can bring insight, change and the capacity to create a happier, more balanced life.
Psychotherapy involves conversations with a listener who is trained to help you make sense of, and try to change, things that are troubling you.
How I Work
I provide a safe space to explore your problems, where feeling deeply becomes possible and the unspoken can be said, free of a sense of shame or judgement. We can work on your concerns together.
We'll begin with an initial assessment during which I will listen to what has brought you to therapy at this time as well ask some questions about your childhood/background. The session is an opportunity for us both to get a feel for one another and decide whether working together over a longer-term feels like a good fit. If we decide to begin working together we will then agree on a day and time that works best for you on a weekly basis.
What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic therapy, derived from psychoanalysis and the theories of Freud, is a talking therapy that delves into how the unconscious mind shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This approach is particularly useful for understanding how early childhood experiences can influence current emotional distress and behavioural struggles. I work with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups who face a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psycho-somatic conditions, obsessive behaviours, difficulties with concentration, dissatisfaction in work and in having fulfilling relationships.
Often, we adopt certain patterns of behaviour, which act as protection against emotional pain or vulnerability. However, patterns of behaviour which once shielded us from pain can eventually become self-defeating, leading to increased anxiety, depression, communication breakdown and feelings of being at odds with the world.
Whether sessions are in person or online the focus of therapy is to identify and alter these unhelpful patterns of behaviour, bringing relief from distressing symptoms and offering a pathway to deep and lasting change.
How does Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Work ? Building a relationship of trust and working through your difficulties
The aim of psychodynamic therapy is to help you understand the underlying reasons for your fears, problematic relationships and memories. At the heart of this therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. In the safety of this deeply authentic relationship you will be encouraged to speak about whatever is in your mind and be helped to express your most troubling thoughts and feelings in order to gain an understanding of how past experiences can 'live on' in your present feelings, thoughts and behaviour. The increased awareness of your inner world and motivations for your behaviour and patterns of relating provide a basis for positive changes in your mental and physical health and ability to manage your life.
What are the Benefits of Therapy? Insight, Empowerment and Potential for change
The benefits of psychodynamic therapy extend much beyond the relief of symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In addition, psychodynamic therapy aims to help you gain a better understanding of yourself and others and to foster the positive presence of inner resources and capacities that allow you to resolve past painful experiences, to have more fulfilling relationships, to face challenges with a greater sense of flexibility, to make better use of talents and abilities and to meet your personal needs. Psychodynamic therapists believe that helping people to understand the underlying roots of their problems is more effective than behavioural training, specific advice, reassurance or techniques which try to banish distressing thoughts and feelings.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
I am a qualified and experienced psychodynamic psychotherapist and have trained at the Birkbeck (University of London), one of the oldest and most established Psychotherapy training institutions in the UK. I am on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority and abide by their code of ethics.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy training provides one of the most rigorous of all psychotherapy trainings. Central to psychodynamic training is an emphasis on infant and child development to deepen understanding of the origins of difficulties encountered in later life.
Qualifications
MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy
Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling and Counselling Skills
I regularly attend continuous professional development courses to keep up to date with the latest findings in the field. These have included subjects such as neurodivergence, sexual abuse and the prison system, the use of dreams in therapy and identity.
I have experience working with a wide range of emotional and psychological issues. In particular, I have extensive experience working with those who have experienced domestic abuse, relationship issues and those suffering with anxiety or depression.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
In order to make therapy more accessible to a wider range of people I use a sliding scale of £60 -£100 per 50 min session.
I understand that therapy can feel like an expensive investment and therefore keep a few reduced fee spaces for people who may not be able to afford the standard fees, please enquire should you wish to discuss this option.
https://www.hamlintherapy.net/
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Limited 8am slots available for those wishing to attend before the working day begins.
Further information
Professional Accountability
A key part of being a psychodynamic psychotherapist is the assurance to clients of ethical and professional practice. For me this includes five main elements to good practice:
Working within BACP code of ethics
Receiving regular supervision for my work with clients
Engaging in ongoing continuous professional development
Membership and continuous re-accreditation with professional bodies
Professional liability insurance
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is at the heart of the therapeutic relationship and everything discussed in sessions is confidential within the constraints of the law and the BACP code of ethics.
