Keith Armitage

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Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

London, E9 5HG
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

One must do it for oneself; but one cannot do it by oneself.  

Psychotherapies move in and out of fashion as their claims and practises come in for reassessment and challenge. Psychoanalysis, the grandfather of all "talking cures", is no exception but it does seem as if, once again, it is having its moment as new studies and research offer evidence that it can provide for a change that endures. And it does so without providing the assurances of the quick-fix or the painless option but through a close and attentive listening and analysis of the nuances of your ties to others, the crucial relationships that might form (or undo) us.

Psychoanalysis works through establishing an open, questioning conversation between the therapist and the client. In that dialogue you are invited to speak about yourself and your difficulties, at your own pace and in your own way. Psychoanalysis addresses the client and their situation in their particularity and absolute uniqueness and places emphasis on close and detailed listening to your own speech and language as the access to that particularity. It is not the therapist's job to offer glib solutions nor to impose their view of things, but through the back and forth of conversational exchange to facilitate a new thinking about your behaviours and motivations; a knowledge that enables you to make free choices in your life about how you want to be for yourself.

I work with individuals & couples presenting with a range of difficulties which they find they need support to deal with. These issues have included (but are not restricted to):

addictions; depression; bipolar disorder; obsessions/compulsions; gender issues; sexuality; compulsive sexual behaviour; difficulties with intimacy; work problems; stress; recovery from abuse; self-harm; personality disorder; relationships.

Some people come with the issues they want to explore clear in their mind; others because they feel lost or confused; some because they feel a disappointment with their lives or because they may be having difficulties developing or maintaining sustaining friendships or relationships.

I offer an environment in which a client can begin to understand the motivations and meanings behind their behaviour. The client dictates the pace of the work, how quickly and how deeply we go. I don't use complex jargon or obscure psychological terms but I work to help the client use their own language to understand their own experience. I am happy to do long-term work or to do short-term work focusing on specific issues.

I work in a way that does not pathologise sexuality or transgender.

I have substantial experience of working analytically with psychosis and bi-polar disorders.

I have worked with people with some learning difficulties and have an interest in working with the neuro-divergent.

Training, qualifications & experience

I trained as a psychoanalyst with The Site for Contemporary Psychoanalysis (www.the-site.org.uk), where I served on the governing council and am chair of their training committee, and regularly teach on their  psychotherapy training. I am registered with the Council for Psychoanalysis & Jungian Analysis college of the UKCP and chaired their Training Standards Committee for three years and sat on the Executive Committee 2016-2022

I frame the plurality of psychoanalytic voices by reading psychoanalysis alongside and as part of, the tradition of European philosophy incorporating ideas from existentialism and phenomenology as well as the contemporary critique of psychoanalysis from within that tradition.

I have experience of working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and have published work exploring the impact of race and class on psychotherapy.

In addition to my work in private practice, I have managed a counselling service for a community mental health charity and currently run clinical supervision groups for a variety of agencies around north London.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

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.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I have a strong interest in, and experience of, working with writers and artists to explore their creativity.

I regularly offer therapy to counselling/psychotherapy trainees on a variety of psychodynamic, integrative and existential training at institutions including Terapia, Minster Centre, Birkbeck, Regents & Roehampton Universities.

In my work with people in recovery from addiction, I am happy to work with with people continuing with other forms of support, including 12-step programmes.

Fees

£45.00 - £60.00
Free initial in-person session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Health Insurance/EAP

  • WPA

Additional information

I believe psychotherapy should be as affordable and accessible to a broad a range of people as possible and so try to keep my fees as low as I can. I charge £45 for a 50-minute session, £60 for a couple. I reserve a limited number of spaces for clients on low incomes, benefits or in education/training. In these cases, we can negotiate fees based on individual circumstances. Please get in touch to check current availability.

I am always delighted to chat or meet with people considering beginning therapy and to answer any questions or concerns they might have. To arrange a meeting why not e-mail me?  I'll get back to you as soon as I can.


An initial consultation to meet and discuss working together is free.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Please get in touch to check my latest availability. 

Further information

I offer both open-ended psychoanalytic therapy and time-limited therapy where we have the option on focusing on particular goals or objectives. I am always happy to discuss the pros and cons of each at our first meeting to help you make your decision.

Flat 6, 36 Eastway, London, E9 5HG

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults
Couples
Employee Assistance Programme

Supervision

In person
Online

I am a psychoanalyst working in private practise and offer supportive supervision to counsellors/psychotherapists and trainees from other modalities wishing to develop an understanding of psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approaches, as well as those already following a psychodynamic or psychoanalytic approach.

View supervision profile

Keith Armitage
Keith Armitage