Lucy Shaw


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I understand it can be hard to approach therapy for the first time, or maybe you are currently in need of support during an uncertain time or are feeling distressed. It can feel difficult knowing where to start. I offer a safe and confidential space, where you can begin to make sense of your feelings and to identify how you would like to move forward. We would work together to explore your feelings, thoughts and behaviours so you can better understand yourself and others. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy can support you and give you understanding about your emotional responses to life events and insight into yourself to cope in times of stress.
Issues I work with
I am a fully qualified and professional psychodynamic psychotherapist. I work with a wide range of issues some of which include: depression, trauma, anger, anxiety, affairs and betrayals, stress, addictions, Adhd, family issues, bereavement, abuse, illness, men's issues, motherhood, women's issues, retirement, work stress, bullying, loss and relationship conflict. I can offer once or twice weekly sessions 50 minutes in duration.
How I work and what to expect from a first appointment
We would start with an initial consultation appointment (90 mins) where I can find out more about what is troubling you now, what you want from therapy and to gain a wider picture of your life. What has happened in your earlier life can help inform what is happening now. A first appointment also allows you to experience what therapy will feel like with me. I am trained to work at a deeper level to assist with how your current difficulties are shaped by past experiences. I can offer a first appointment in person or online.
Types of therapy I can offer
I offer open ended psychodynamic psychotherapy in person or online, once a week (50 mins) this means we work with no fixed end date. This allows more time to be able to work with different issues you may be experiencing, to explore things without a time constraint and to work together for however long you may need. The appointment is always the same time and day each week to ensure consistency and to build a relationship. I am trained to be able to provide twice weekly sessions if you would like to work more intensively. This can often be very beneficial if you are experiencing longstanding difficulties or feeling you are repeating the same behaviours.
I am trained in and can also provide time limited psychodynamic psychotherapy (12 sessions) (50 mins) This approach works psychodynamically, but would focus on a particular issue you may be experiencing, for example it could be work stress, anxiety, bereavement or a relationship issue. Some people find that they want to experience short term therapy first before embarking on longer term work.
We would talk about my approach in our first appointment together and to think about what might be best for you at this time based on the initial consultation.
How to get in touch
Please do get in touch for us to arrange a brief call to understand more about what brings you to therapy at this time and what you are looking to get from it. You can also email me or text. I endeavour to get back to all enquiries within two hours of receiving them.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified and professional Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. I trained at WPF Therapy in London. A leading and highly respected training institution for Psychodynamic Psychotherapists.
I work in private practice in St Albans, Hertfordshire. I provide in person or online therapy sessions. Alongside my private practice I work as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist for The Counselling Foundation, a charity which provides professional psychodynamic counselling services to individuals across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. I provide time limited psychodynamic therapy to clients affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
I also work as an honorary psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman, working in the fitzjohns unit, which provides twice weekly psychotherapy for patients with complex needs and severe and enduring mental health problems.
PGDIP Psychodynamic Theory and Practice - WPF Therapy /University of Roehampton
Diploma Counselling Skills - WPF Therapy
Foundation Certificate Counselling - WPF Therapy London
BA/Drama and Theatre Arts - The University of Birmingham.
I previously had a highly successful career in events management, managing high profile events and working for leading organisations in policy and communications and the arts and cultural sector. I bring all of this experience to my therapeutic work.
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 British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Endometriosis
Men's issues
Chronic Pain
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Initial consultation appointment (90 mins) £120 this is longer than a regular therapy session.
When I work
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I am currently taking on new clients for in person and online work.
Further information
I have a particular interest and specialism in women’s health with extensive knowledge of the condition Endometriosis for which I provide time limited psychotherapy sessions to be able to think together about both the physical and psychological impact this condition may be having on your life, and to identify a way to live and manage well with the condition. I also have an interest and experience working with chronic pain and ongoing chronic pain conditions.