Howard Grassow

Welcome
I am an experienced UKCP registered psychotherapist working with people from diverse backgrounds who come to see me because they feel anxious, depressed, have relationship problems or have a general sense of unease and feel that life is meaningless or joyless. Some people feel stuck and find themselves in the same place, repeating the same patterns, despite their efforts to change things.   Other people come because they want to get to know themselves more deeply and experience life more fully. 

I offer a safe therapeutic relationship that seeks to understand you as a unique person. Within this therapeutic relationship, we can explore and begin to understand why you may feel the way you are, why things don’t seem to be working for you, and what things you want to change. The therapy does not involve giving you a set of instructions or prescriptions for how you should live your life, nor will I try to fit you into a category. Instead, it focuses on developing a deeper understanding of yourself, leading to a better ability to creatively manage the demands and risks of life, develop better relationships and reduce ‘symptoms’.

Intitial Consultation
I usually see people for an initial consultation which allows us to explore their reasons for coming into therapy and what they want to get out of it. It also allows us to see if we can work together. It is often helpful to have a brief telephone conversation before the initial consultation.

During the initial consultation, we will explore why you are considering starting therapy and what you hope to get out of it. I am interested in you as a unique person. I will not simply look at your symptoms and try to fit you into a category. 

If we feel that the therapy I offer won’t be helpful for you or we feel that we can’t work together, I may be able to suggest where you may go to find a more suitable therapist or refer you to a colleague.

Psychotherapy Offered

If we decide to work together, we will arrange to either work in time-limited or open-ended psychotherapy. I meet with people weekly, but you may want to meet more frequently. The therapy I offer aims to develop an understanding of your symptoms and/or difficulties. This happens by creating a safe exploratory relationship in which we can begin to make sense of what you are bringing to therapy. This process can not only lead to symptom relief but can also increase your self-awareness which may also result in changes to your life, including an increased capacity to have more fulfilling relationships and sex life, a better ability to understand yourself and others and more freedom and confidence to face challenges life poses.  

Due to the complexity of human beings, change is not guaranteed; however, most people who come to therapy report significant positive changes in their lives. The latest research, including recent studies in neuroscience, has demonstrated its efficacy. Further, studies have shown that people continue to make significant improvements and continue growing long after the therapy has ended. This suggests that Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy sets psychological processes that lead to ongoing change in motion. 

My normal fee is between £50 - £80 a session, which depends on the financial position of each individual. I also offer concessions to people who cannot pay the full fee.

Professional Organisations

I am a member of the following professional organisations:

• Council for Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis.
• The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.
• Clinical Fellow of The International Neuropsychoanalysis Society