Helen Holmes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, it's good to meet you.
What do I offer?
I offer a safe and confidential space to listen closely and compassionately to what you choose to share with me - your thoughts, feelings, memories and desires are all respected. It is important that you feel safe and feel you can be open with me. You can expect me to be non-judgemental, open and reflective where you and I meet in a comfortable, soundproof, secure and professional therapeutic setting. I currently have availability for you if you require individual or couples therapy, or for you and your family, where relevant.
What are my working hours?
My working hours are Monday to Saturday 7am to 9pm and Sunday 2pm to 9pm. I am available during the weekdays and evenings alongside the weekends. I recognise that holiday seasons can be tough and I choose to make myself available especially at Christmas and the New Year, to support those who find this time emotionally difficult and when most other therapists are away. I am very dedicated to supporting those in need and I do my utmost to help all those with whom I have contact. I take three annual breaks and discuss these with you in advance.
Introductory conversation
I offer a free 15-minute introductory discussion, to help you think about what is on your mind and possible next steps. You are warmly welcome to contact me about a wide range of psychological concerns. No difficulty is too small or too large. I have over 30 years experience of working with mild to severe mental health difficulties in: schools, colleges, private hospitals, the NHS and in private practice. All are welcome to contact me. I am friendly and want to help you through to a better place.
Training, qualifications & experience
What is my background and training?
I have a life-long commitment to empowering marginalised people to feel understood and to feel empowered, including LGBTQI+ and divergent populations. Following my first degree in Philosophy and Theology from London University, I helped set up The Big Issue in London and worked with street homeless young people. Since then, I have trained and worked for over 30 years in a variety of mental health settings, in London and the USA. My first therapy training was in the person centered, then the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches. Seeking to support the widest population possible, I further trained in CBT, CBT-E, MBT, EMDR and Autism and ADHD Assessment. I would gladly explain these acronyms to you, if needed. I am experienced and qualified to work with children, young people, individuals, couples and families, with more usual through to severe mental health situations, such as complex anxiety and depression, eating disorders, self-harm, addictions, dissociation, childhood abuses, family difficulties and the psychoses and schizophrenias.
Who can attend therapy with me?
My therapy service is open to people from a wide diversity of backgrounds and cultures, and equality of opportunity is another main guiding therapeutic principle of mine. I welcome individuals with neurodivergent issues, learning difficulties, people struggling with gender identities and their sexual orientation and - LGBTQI+ populations. I undergo continuing personal and professional development learning, adopting a curious and reflective stance as a therapist towards those I am privileged to meet. You will find me approachable and warm, professional, insightful, respectful, kind and importantly with an appropriate sense of humour.
I am qualified to offer both short and long-term therapy. My consulting room is comfortable, soundproof and wheelchair accessible.
You are very welcome to contact me and I will do my utmost to help you think about possible next steps, with your best interests at heart at all times.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Non-epileptic seizures
neurodivergent issues
Sex addictions, including internet pornography and paedophilia
Transgender issues - LGBTQIA+
Refugees and asylum seekers
Personality difficulties
Religious and spiritual matters
Separation and divorce
Family disputes
Adoption and Fostering
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£90.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I have a certain number of concessionary rates in my practice, kept for those who are on low incomes and/or benefits. My practice was set up in order to accommodate the widest population possible. My main philosophical principles underpinning my practice are: the equal opportunity to rise, justice and fairness.
When I work
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I take three annual breaks - 2 weeks during the Summer and Christmas and 1 week around Easter time.
Further information
What is my therapeutic approach?
It can be daunting seeking a therapist and I will do what I can to help you find what you need. My first training was in the person-centered modality and the core values of non-judgement, empathy and transparency underpin my therapy work. Similarly, I trained in the psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches which offer a great sense of holding and containment of you in therapy with me. Additionally, I have trained in further helpful therapy modalities, such as CBT-E (Oxford University), CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy (University College London) and couples and family therapy (Kings College London). Importantly, these qualifications have equipped me to best help you to address your difficulties, at your pace and to suit where you are at in your life. I tailour my therapeutic approach to closely meet your individual needs.
What can I expect when I contact you?
Once you may choose to contact me, we can set up a time to speak for a 15-minute, free consultation, by way of an introductory conversation. This can be in-person, by video or on the phone, as you prefer. This gives you the opportunity to ask me any further questions. If both you and I decide to meet for an initial session, this would be arranged at a mutually convenient time. I offer in-person, online and telephone therapy from my easily accessible and pleasant consulting room based in South Hampstead, North west London.
When we meet, I am gently curious to hear more about what brings you to therapy at this time, your expectations and we can get to know each other a little better. I recommend seeing how you feel about the first few sessions as to whether you want to continue, - autonomy is at the heart of my philosophy. We can arrange a further few sessions and then review how you feel, ensuring that you feel that you have choice throughout.
Endings and breaks are managed sensitively and professionally, in accordance with ethical codes and standards with a duty of care towards you.
