Helen Sproat
About me
Choosing a therapist can be difficult so it's helpful to get a feel for the approach, training and background of a therapist before you meet.
My approach is phenomenological meaning therapy is individual to each person taking into account the specific needs and difficulties they are experiencing, without thinking using labels and diagnosis. My work prioritises the therapeutic relationship whilst my practice is influenced by psychoanalytic, existential, and postmodern thought. This type of integrative psychotherapy allows different approaches to be called upon as appropriate for the individual and their circumstances.
Short-term work may be the right approach if you are in a position of crisis or you are looking for assistance in a period of distress. This is sometimes suitable for the situation or at other times leads to medium or long-term work. Medium or long-term work can be more explorative to help understand your life, relationships, and the repeat patterns we find ourselves in.
Having started my own therapeutic journey as a client, my belief is that psychotherapy can establish a unique relationship that may support a person's abilities to free themselves up from current and past life experiences. This may help someone to understand more about themselves and become clearer about their desires and how to meet them.
After qualifying in London where I lived for 10 years, I now provide psychotherapy for English speakers in Lisbon and online therapy internationally.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience
I worked for three years as a therapist at the mental health charity MIND as part of my training before establishing a private practice.
I am also trained to practice using the Open Dialogue approach which allows me to work collaboratively with people and their families dealing with 'psychosis'.
Qualifications
Advanced Practitioner Program in Existential Analytic Psychotherapy
University of Roehampton
2015-2017
Open Dialogue Foundation Training
Open Dialogue UK
2016-2017
MSc Psychotherapy & Counselling
University of Roehampton
2013-2016
Foundation Degree in Existential Psychotherapy
Regents College
2012-2013
Counselling Skills
City Literature Institute
2011-2012
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
The charge for an online 50-minute therapy session is £60 and takes place weekly at a set time agreed by us both.
I endeavour to keep some low-cost therapy places available for those on low incomes and this can be discussed should you feel you qualify.
