Joan Doherty

When you are suffering emotionally, in distress or confused, it is life's way of calling you to pay attention. To take yourself and your pain seriously. Just like you would if you had a raging toothache! Emotional pain can cause and perpetuate physical symptoms and physical symptoms can leave us feeling overwhelmed, depressed and anxious. It can become a vicious circle. We can feel trapped and unable to see clearly. I believe we all have an inner wisdom which often seems lost to us at these times. Therapy is about getting back in touch with that wisdom and bringing more of it into our lives. I offer a compassionate, non judgmental and confidential place in which to do this.

Anxiety, depression, and relationship problems are all symptoms of our inner struggles. They can leave us feeling out of control, lost, hurt and confused. Work, friend and family relationships are affected and our usual sources of support often become strained or break down. We may turn to alcohol, drugs or self harm for comfort. These are all very human responses to cope with the pain.

As a qualified and experienced therapist, I will help you to get to the bottom of your issues and make decisions in line with what is important to you and what feels right in your situation. We will work together to help you to feel better, see things more clearly and take steps towards leading the life that you really want.

My approach is relational and I draw on ISTDP (Attachment Based) Psychosynthesis Psychology as well as Jungian/Psychoanalytical approaches.

Part of my specialist experience is in working with people with complex needs, underpinned often by learning, emotional and/or physical difficulties. I work with mind, body and soul, listening to your symptoms within the context of you as unique and self regulating person.

I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and, internationally, with the IEDTA (International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association) I work within their Ethical Framework's for good practice.

I have worked with a wide range of individuals and groups bringing over 30 years experience from within mental health and well being, education, social care, and the voluntary sector.

My consulting room is in Aldershot and within easy access of local buses and trains and road networks.

I offer face to face, and online therapy.

About You

People come to therapy for lots of different reasons. You may be stuck, struggling with a problem that is making you unhappy or confused. Or going through a crisis and needing support in order to move through and find your feet again. Or you may be looking for help to understand and make meaning of a life situation and how to bring about or adapt to change.

You may be experiencing any or several of a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
• Panic attacks and phobias
• Depression
• Feelings of sadness, grief or hopelessness
• Suffering losses such as bereavement, divorce or redundancy
• Difficulties with family, friends or colleagues and forming satisfying relationships
• Difficulty managing stressful situations
• Self harm
• Sexual problems
• Addiction
• Lack of enjoyment and fun in life
• Lack of direction or meaning in life
• Feeling shy or lacking self confidence
• Coping with the effects of physical, emotional or sexual abuse
• Creative block
• Obsessive behaviour
• Eating disorders
• Chronic medical problems
• Unexplained medical symptoms

In therapy you can explore anything that is on your mind. I will help you get to the meaning behind your unique symptoms and work with you to discover and make more fulfilling and balanced choices.

It takes courage to ask for help and feeling unsure or anxious is very common. Taking that first step often lifts a weight off your mind, so, do get in contact and find out how I might help you.

Our first session is an assessment one. It normally lasts one and a half hours and is an opportunity for us to explore together what is going on for you and what you want help with.  

At this initial session you can get a feel for the therapeutic relationship and see how we would work together.  

If you decide to go ahead we will agree a way forward. I work flexibly in terms of both frequency and duration of sessions.

If you have any questions and would like to talk to me before booking an assessment then you can contact me on: 07934 410 211 or email me.

ISTDP

My sessions are for 1 hour.

• Initial Assessment: ££105 (One and a half hours)
• Regular Sessions:  £70 per hour.  I work flexibly in trms of length and frequency of session.

My initial training in Psychosynthesis lends itself to an integrative approach, working with a variety of models, adapting them to your unique personality and situation.

ISTDP is an evidence based, brief term psychotherapy shown to be effective for a broad spectrum of emotional difficulties, including anxiety and treatment resistant depression.