Leah Christodoulou
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
If you would like to meet for an initial session for either individual or couples therapy, we can explore what you are hoping for from therapy and how we may be able to work on things together. This initial meeting also gives you the chance to see how you feel with me and if you would like to embark on your therapeutic journey with my support.
I am a trained Integrative psychotherapist and I like to approach therapy from a mind-body-relationship perspective in order to honour every aspect of who we are. I view relating with others as central to our sense of self. Significant relationships, or lack of, throughout life can impact our core sense of who we are. I offer a space for collaboration and joint exploration where we work together to better understand who you are, what has shaped you and how we can work towards finding a happier and more fulfilling way of life. I am a firm believer that therapy is a joint process that we embark upon together and am committed to the relationship I form with clients, sharing the hope for making the changes you want and need.
Throughout the therapeutic process I believe our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and the developing relationship between client and therapist all offer meaning and the opportunity for insight and positive change. What develops between us can be a great source in understanding your emotional world and how to develop new and healthier ways of existing in relation to oneself and others. If you choose to embark on your therapeutic journey with me I will aim to support and empower you in your process of healing past hurts and fulfilling a happier and healthier existence.
People seek therapy for many different reasons, sometimes clients are not even sure what is wrong but they just feel stuck in a rut, repeating the same patterns in life that leave them feeling lost. Anxiety, loneliness, relationship issues, depression, panic attacks, abuse, family issues and bereavement are just some of the things people may seek therapy for. Whatever your problems may be, we can work togther on finding a way to move through the pain and find a happier, healthier and more fulfilled way of being.
For couples, they may sense what is causing difficulties in their relationship but feel it is impossible to work through or resolve without some support. Couple's therapy offers a space where both people can safely journey together into understanding each other's concerns and hurts. I work collaboratively with couple's and am invested in both people feeling the therapy offers them the chance to be heard. Then we can begin to understand what each person is feeling, where these feelings are coming from and how this may be impacting their relationship.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
I am a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist holding postgraduate diplomas and a Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. I completed my training at The Minster Centre in London, a leading training institute in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Minster Centre are committed to interweaving theoretical expertise, clinical practice and self-development for all training psychotherapists. As a therapist our own sense of self and inner understanding is highly influential to how effective we are as practitioners. My ethos is I cannot ask my clients to search for truths within themselves if I am not willing to do so myself also.
My Master's research thesis was on working with the mind-body in processing trauma. This paid close attention to working with clients in an embodied-relational way in integrating trauma.
I have completed a Certificate in Couple and Relationship Therapy with The Centre for Psychosexual Health.
I also hold a Masters with Merit in Psychoanalytic Studies which I completed in 2003 at Leeds Metropolitan University. My research thesis for this was an exploration of the mother-baby relationship and the challenges and needs of both as the relationship develops.
Current Training:
I am currently training with the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy on their 2 year Depth Relational Process training.
I am near completion of a supervision training with Re-Vision - Supervision with Soul.
I am a Registered Member of the UKCP and abide by their ethical framework.
Experience
I have a private practice in North London where I see individuals and couples for long term and time limited therapy. The issues I work with vary widely however some examples are anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, family issues, addiction, panic attacks, intimacy issues, low self-esteem, self-harm, trauma, suicidal thoughts and childhood sexual abuse. Over recent years my practice has organically evolved to also work closely with women entering motherhood.
In the past I have also worked at a further education college offering counselling to students and as part of a counselling team at a London university. Both gave me the opportunity to work with diverse client groups from various social, cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as liase with professionals in psychiatric services. I also worked with students who have learning difficulties.
I volunteered for a counselling charity for several years seeing clients under the umbrella of three services; domestic violence, general counselling and loss of a child or pregnancy. During my time at this charity I worked closely with women who had been involved in domestic violence and women who had lost a child, had terminations or suffered a late loss of pregnancy.
Prior to my career in counselling and psychotherapy I worked in Social Care supporting vulnerable minors and young adults, refugees and asylum seekers.
Upon leaving university in my early twenties I worked as a support nurse for the NHS Community Mental Health Trust offering support in acute and forensic psychiatric wards. During my time there I worked closely with teenagers with eating disorders and adult service users under section acts. This included working with clients managing schizophrenia, bipolar disoder and personality disorders.
I am LGBTQ+ and sex worker friendly.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
For one to one therapy I offer a sliding scale fee option ranging between £80 - £100 for 50 minute sessions.*
For couples and relationship therapy I offer a sliding scale between £110-£150 for 75 minute sessions. Couples therapy usually runs fortnightly.
*I keep some concessional spaces for students and those with financial difficulties. Please enquire if you feel this would be more suitable to your financial means.
When I work
Mon - Friday Daytime / Evenings