Philip Starnier

I imagine that the circumstances that have led you here have involved suffering. Whilst therapy can usefully be sought to help consolidate on past successes and open up an even brighter future, most of us start out on therapy with the painful sense that all is not well. Whatever form your suffering may be taking - whether it is a traumatic life event that brings you here, or difficult experiences from the past that continue to intrude on your present and future; current relationship difficulties, feeling stuck in behaviour patterns that no longer serve you, or simply a nagging feeling of anxiety or depression - I'm keen to understand what you have been struggling with and hope that I will be of help to you.
 
I am trained in Psychosynthesis Counselling – an approach which encompasses tried and tested psychotherapeutic techniques and builds on them to integrate up-to-date psychotherapeutic, psychophysical and psychospiritual practices. As such, it is a system that can be applied to a wide range of situations and experiences and takes a broader view of what may be happening for you than a mere 'fixing' of issues or problems. Often, challenges prove to be a doorway to a whole new, deeper experience of yourself. I have worked with a wide range of personal challenges that clients have brought to me, but we all have an individual and unique experience, and I am keen to hear your particular story of what has been happening for you.

Whilst change may feel necessary, it can be difficult to know what that change might look like. It can be hard to know where to start, and the way ahead may seem daunting. From personal experience, I have found it invaluable to speak to someone who is able to hold your best interests in mind, to be non-judgemental and receptive to whatever you are experiencing – someone who has navigated deep waters before and can offer some support, companionship and guidance in this sometimes difficult, often enriching and frequently enlivening process. I hope I can serve you as just such a wayfarer and guide.

Next steps...

I offer a 20-minute introductory call, after which we can schedule an initial session so that you can get a sense of whether you might be able to work with me, and for me to get a preliminary understanding of what brings you to therapy, your broader family and life context and whether I think I would be a suitable therapist for you.

Should we both agree to continue work beyond that initial session, we will continue to meet at the same time once a week for 50-minute sessions. It is likely to be necessary for me to get a more detailed understanding of your personal circumstances, so the initial session will involve my asking more questions. After that, you take the lead and we begin to work exploring whatever is coming up for you, and how your particular issue is showing up in the present for you.

It is my hope that through our dialogue grounded in compassion and through imaginative exploration you will be able to gain clear insight into the issues that are troubling you, and develop an increasing sense of grounding, engagement, purpose, and peacefulness with whatever you are going through and beyond. Turning to face challenges that beset you can be the key to unlocking a far more fulfilling life than you could ever have imagined, and I hope that our work together can prove to be just such an enlivening experience for you.

Languages

I am of Czech heritage and am a fluent French speaker, so I am also able to offer sessions in Czech and French.

Parenting

Life transitions

Self-discovery

£50 per 50-minute session.

I offer a free 20min introductory call. Please get in touch to schedule this, should you wish.

I offer in person and online work and am willing to consider a hybrid approach depending on your particular circumstances.