Nese Djouma

I am a professional qualified integrative psychotherapist, offering you a confidential space to talk about any issues, that you are perhaps concerned about.  They can be attributed to a particular life event, either past or present, such as loss, grief, or any other reason, resulting in distress, and in turn, depression/anxiety and feeling sad.  These feelings can be overwhelmingly intense, often leaving a person feeling isolated, confused, or stuck.

What is counselling and psychotherapy?

Counselling is there to help with a current difficulty or a specific challenge that you are perhaps facing.  Whereas, psychotherapy, may help you process deep-rooted, conscious, or unconscious processes and thoughts that are presenting challenges in your life.  Thus, counselling is usually short-term, whereas, psychotherapy is longer-term.

What can counselling and psychotherapy help with?

Counselling and psychotherapy can allow you to talk about feelings and emotions, in a confidential, non-judgmental space.  Perhaps you would like to gain clarity on an issue, process a difficult experience, discover your inner resources for self-development, or change unhelpful thinking patterns/habits.  Seeking help can be difficult, surrounding apprehensions about sharing your fears and anxieties.  Counselling and psychotherapy can be useful if you are experiencing/have experienced life changes, such as, but not limited to, divorce, bereavement, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and disability/illness.  It can help increase self-awareness, together with understanding the causes of psychological and emotional issues – helping to process thoughts and feelings – finding tools to best manage and cope.  

What I can offer and how?

I offer sessions by various methods, including telephone, online virtual, face-to-face sessions in Wimbledon and Putney, or 'Walk and Talk'.  I will, Godwilling, be there to support you on the journey, as a secure base, short-term or long-term, helping improve your mental health, including, confidence and self-esteem; to live a more fulfilling life.  My focus in therapy is to facilitate an accepting environment where you will feel able to open up without any judgments.  I appreciate each person is unique, thus taking into consideration their whole being, which is the central principle of my work. 

I will utilise techniques and key concepts, drawn from different approaches, including psychodynamic and person-centred, that best suit your needs, whilst creating a warm, empathic, nurturing, and non-judgmental space.  I will work collaboratively and therapeutically with you, with the belief that our relationship as client-therapist is essential in making change possible.

What is 'Walk and Talk' therapy?

It means walking and talking during your therapy session, rather than being enclosed in a clinical room, or sitting in designated chairs.  This can feel quite intense for some clients, to have the therapist sit opposite them.  Walking next to each other, side-by-side, in the current climate, can for some feel more equal and less formal.  However, walking isn’t a must, sitting down somewhere in nature is also an option.  It means doing therapy outdoors, in nature, often including or bringing nature and movement into the sessions.  In terms of location, depending on your means of transport, we can either meet at a nearby station or if you will be driving, we can plan where you will be able to find suitable parking.  We can walk to a local park, with lots of greenery.

Walk and talk therapy is part of the eco-psychotherapy umbrella, which is the combination of ‘ecology’ and ‘psychotherapy’ or ‘psychology’.  

Benefits of Walk and Talk therapy?

There are many benefits to being outdoors in nature, from increased well-being, lowered anxiety, depression, and stress levels, reduced anger and increased confidence, and boosted self-esteem. It has also been shown to be effective for loss and bereavement, and when going through crisis or transitions.

Some clients feel that it is difficult for them to talk, think, or feel while sitting still. They need to move their bodies and feel that talking comes easier while walking. Others find it too intense to be so closely looked at or find it hard to make eye contact.  Most clients who get in touch with outdoor or nature therapists already have a love for nature or enjoy walking outside.  Many may sit all day in front of their computers or offices and prefer to get outside and talk through things rather than sit in another room.

How about the weather?

I am not deterred by a few drops of rain, however, it is your call, and I offer the possibility of either calling off a session due to bad weather or conducting the session indoors somewhere, such as, in a cafe, or coffee shop.

Islamic Counselling

Islamic counselling is a form of “Faith-Based” therapy that incorporates spirituality into the therapeutic process in line with Islamic understanding and perspective.  Respectfully, Islamic counselling is available to Muslim clients, if they wish to choose so, which will address issues in line with their faith, whilst being conscious of fulfilling responsibilities, as a servant of Allah SWT (GOD).

How to get started with counselling with me?

Please feel free to call or email me to set up an initial session; we'll talk about what you would like to get out of counselling; if you are happy to continue, we can book your first counselling session, and look to arranging regular weekly sessions.

£45-£60 per session.  Concessions apply, depending on the individual’s circumstances, such as students and low income.