About me
When life becomes challenging and stressful, therapy can support you in overcoming the difficult times. It is a space where you can explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours within a dialogue, which helps in gaining perspective of your situation. Such directed attention slowly but surely increases the possibility for change and growth.
Who am I?
My name is Helena and I am a fully qualified and accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.
What do I offer?
I work with individuals and people in relationships (intimate relationships as well as friends or family members). I trained in Gestalt Therapy, which is aligned with a humanistic and holistic understanding of ourselves. I am in regular clinical supervision and continue to train and specialise to keep up with professional standards. I welcome diversity and practice inclusion.
Work focus:
• Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Stress, Overwhelm
• Relational difficulties, Attachment Styles, Boundary Issues, Bullying
• Self-esteem Issues, Low Self-Confidence, Self Perception, Identity Issues
• Depression, Bereavement, Disappointment
• Neurodivergence – Autism, AuDHD, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.
• Trauma, PTSD, Complex PTSD
• Vicarious Trauma
What could be causing a decline in mental health?
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 like Disability, Neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia etc.), or life changing events such as becoming a new parent, loss of a loved one, or being involved in an accident can cause general overwhelm, inability to deal with everyday demands, and even generate somatic symptoms such as panic attacks. 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 is the therapeutic process like?
I offer a brief introductory phone call during which we can consider if therapy is the right step for you. If so, we can then book an initial in-person session during which we will explore what brings you to therapy in greater detail and consider the treatment options.
What we will 'be doing' in the sessions differs from person to person and your own desired goals. However, 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 what is on your mind. I will listen carefully and respond to you in ways aiming to increase your awareness and sharpen your perceptions of your 'self', your relationships, or situations that are troubling you.
The work can be shorter or longer term which we will periodically review together, so it meets your specific requirements.
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. 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).
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
£65.00 - £120.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees:
£65 individuals (18+) for students & people on a very low income (concession);
£70 individuals (18+) for key-workers & therapy trainees (concession);
£75 to £95 (sliding scale) for individuals (18+), for a 50-minute session;
£100 to £120 (sliding scale) for couples & pairs, for a 60-minute session.
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) and Highbury & Islington (N5).
The two locations are close to the City of Westminster, Victoria, Vauxhall, Belgravia, Chelsea, Lambeth, Stockwell, Battersea, Angel, Dalston, Hackney, Shoreditch, and King's Cross.
