About me
Therapy offers support and holding when we are facing difficult circumstances. It is a space where we can explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours within a dialogue, which helps in gaining a more holistic perspective of your situation. Such directed attention slowly but surely increases your own capacities for change and growth.
Who am I?
My name is Helena and I am a fully qualified and accredited Gestalt Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (Level 6, SCoPEd Column B).
Before becoming a therapist I studied and worked in the Art sector, including Film and Theatre. My knowledge and experience from that period continue to inform my understanding of the world – I chose Gestalt Therapy specifically for its creative orientation and philosophic lens.
What I offer?
I work with individuals and with people in relationships (couples, partners, friends or family members).
Gestalt Therapy is aligned with a humanistic and holistic understanding of ourselves. It is a process oriented therapeutic modality which includes somatic and relational exploration of our experience in the here and now – this helps us move beyond merely 'thinking about' and rationalising. Exploring our histories (our childhood, cultural and social background), our physicality, our environment (ecology and social experience), as well as our spirituality, dreams and imagination comes into play too – nothing is regarded as trivial.
I work only in-person because I believe that genuine live interaction, especially in the context of mental health difficulties, brings a stronger sense of meeting and holding.
Work focus:
• Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Stress, Overwhelm & Worry
• Relational difficulties, Rejection, Attachment Styles, Boundary Issues, and Bullying
• Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Self-Perception, Identity
• Depression, Bereavement, Disappointments & Frustration
• Neurodivergence – Autism, AuDHD, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.
• Trauma, PTSD, Complex PTSD
• Vicarious Trauma in medical and legal professions and care work
• Sudden or Gradual Life Changes, Long-term Illness, Chronic Pain
• Creativity and Vitality
Facing mental health difficulties:
You may have come across or were told you are suffering from Anxiety, Depression, or perhaps were given a more complex medical diagnosis. Various circumstances such as Disability, Neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia etc.), or life changing events such as becoming a new parent, loss of a loved one, or being physically harmed can cause us to be overwhelmed, unable to deal with everyday demands, and it can generate somatic symptoms (panic attacks, chronic pain, IBS, etc.).
Therapy is not designed to alter what we are facing in life, but it is there to help us cope with and understand the ranges of possibilities we do have to engage with our reality.
What does the therapeutic process look like?
I offer a brief introductory phone call during which we can consider if therapy is the right step for you. You can book this by emailing me or scheduling the call in advance (top of the page).
During the initial in-person session we will explore what brings you to therapy in greater detail and consider the treatment options. The work can be shorter or longer term which we will periodically review together, so it meets your specific requirements.
What we will be 'working on' in the sessions differs from person to person and your own desired goals. The therapeutic relationship that we will develop while working together is a very important aspect of the therapeutic journey. You will be encouraged to talk openly about yourself. I will listen carefully and respond to you in ways aiming to increase your cognitive and somatic awareness, your understanding of yourself in your relationships and of situations that are troubling you.
Through a series of sessions you can expect a better understanding of how past experiences shape your current reality, an improvement in communication and authentic interaction, and an increase in present-moment awareness. Exploring your lived experience in a contained environment improves the ability of choosing your own way through.
Where do I work from?
Pimlico (SW1V)
Highbury & Islington (N5)
Haggerston (E8)
If you have accessibility needs, I will try my best to meet those – in this case contact me for more information.
Training, qualifications & experience
My professional qualification as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor aligns with the SCoPEd Framework level B (Level 6). I gained my certificate to practice with individuals (18+) through Edinburgh Gestalt Institute (EGI) and Gestalt Psychotherapy & Training Institute (GPTI). Subsequent to that, I undertook an Existential Couples Therapy course at the Existential Academy (London) and completed a 'Working with Trauma' Masterclass at the Gestalt Centre (London).
I've been working in private practice from 2022.
Gestalt Therapy is a humanistic and holistic therapeutic modality, which incorporates the following perspectives and qualities: relational, dialogic, somatic, existential, phenomenological, field-theoretical, trauma-informed and it is concerned with present-moment awareness (similar to mindfulness).
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The Gestalt Psychotherapy & Training Institute is a membership organisation for Gestalt Psychotherapists. It provides a framework for training, accreditation, post-qualification development opportunities and networking.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am particularly interested in work around
Major Life Changes,
Relationship and Relational Issues,
Attachment Issues,
Neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, etc.),
Vicarious Trauma for people working in medicine or other caring professions and roles,
and CPTSD or Complex PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £120.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees:
£70 individuals (18+) for students, key-workers & those relying on a low income (concession);
£85 to £100 (sliding scale) for individuals (18+), which you can select;
£100 to £120 for couples & pairs, which you can select.
When I work
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Further information
I have some availability to take on new clients for in-person work in Pimlico (SW1V), Highbury & Islington (N5) and Haggerston (E8).
The locations are close to the City of Westminster, Victoria, Vauxhall, Belgravia, Chelsea, Lambeth, Stockwell, Battersea, Angel, Dalston, Hackney, Shoreditch, and King's Cross.
