About me
Hello, I am an HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist and EMDR Therapist offering one-to-one psychotherapy to adults online and in Soho, Central London. I have been trained to doctoral level and have extensive experience helping individuals with a wide range of mental health difficulties work towards better wellbeing. My therapeutic style is empathic, down to earth and free from judgement, and my work is always formulation led and research informed.
What difficulties do I work with?
I am passionate about working with those whose difficulties are stopping them from living the most fulfilling life they want to lead. I work therapeutically with a wide range of difficulties and concerns including (but by no means limited to):
- Anxiety
- Sadness and depression
- Low self-esteem
- Perfectionism
- Relationship or attachment difficulties - family issues, friendship or romantic relationship concerns
- Trauma and PTSD
- Developmental or childhood adversities
- Living with physical health difficulties
- Stress and burnout
- Body-image and eating related concerns
How do I work?
An integrative, trauma-informed approach
In order to work effectively with each unique client, I have been trained in a number of different therapeutic models that I can carefully integrate together throughout the therapy process. These different approaches include psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapies, including ‘third wave’ approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy. I also have a particular interest in trauma-informed approaches and somatic ways of working. If appropriate, I readily draw upon the Internal Family Systems model and I am a fully trained Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist. I find EMDR a particularly transformative approach when supporting those who have experienced traumatic life events, developmental adversities and attachment injuries.
Making sense of then and now
Whilst I will adapt my approach depending on your individual needs, I will always place great value in building a collaborative understanding of how your current difficulties, thoughts or feelings might have arisen in the context of your past. Our early relationships and experiences can greatly influence how we relate to ourselves, others and the world around us, and I believe that developing insight into these experiences can be an important step towards making meaningful and long-lasting change. I will also strive to develop a joint understanding of how and why your difficulties might be maintaining themselves in your present, everyday life. You might have found yourself trapped in particular ways of thinking, belief systems or behavioural patterns, and we can work together to understand and adapt these so that you can begin to live a life that feels more in line with who you really are or who you really want to be.
Mind and body
I am also passionate and interested in understanding and working with the whole person that is in front of me. This is in keeping with my ever-growing curiosity about the powerful connections between physical and mental health, and with that, between body and mind. My doctoral research considered the ways in which physical activity or movement improve psychological wellbeing, and therefore if appropriate, I am open to considering ways of incorporating more holistic and body-focused ideas into our therapeutic work together. This might be done in quite subtle ways, such as encouraging you to develop a deeper connection with your body and your nervous system, or we might decide to work with your body or physical activity more directly - it will of course depend on your preferences and your individual needs.
Client Testimonial:
"I found Menna to be an excellent therapist. We got on really well and she knew how to get the best out of me and from our sessions. I had had an experience with another therapist previously which I had not found very helpful - Menna restored my faith in therapy! I have taken away a huge amount from our sessions and weeks later I still use tools and learnings on a virtually daily basis."
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
I am an HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist. This means that, in addition to my BSc and MSc degrees, I hold a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych).
I am also a fully trained EMDR Therapist.
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£120.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
The fee is £120 for both initial assessments and subsequent 50-minute sessions.
I work with a number of insurance companies; however, please note that my current availability for insurance-funded sessions is limited. Please do reach out to discuss this further.
When I work
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Further information
Initial Consultation
I believe that therapist-client fit is a really important part of you therapy journey. Because of this, I offer all prospective clients a free 20-minute call to discuss your concerns and the ways in which I might be able to support you. Please email me to book this in - I would be delighted to talk with you.
Therapy Contract
If we decide to work together, we will agree on a therapy contract that I will share with you to read through and sign. This contract will contain all information regarding my confidentiality policies, data protection, fees and payment and my cancellation policy.
Online and Face-to-Face Therapy
I offer both face-to-face and online (video call) therapy. Please contact me for more info.
