Phillip Birch

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BACP Accredited Psychodynamic Psychotherapist & Supervisor
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on London, WC1B 3QJ
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist and supervisor offering open-ended psychodynamic psychotherapy, or short-term psychotherapy with a focus (Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy) over sixteen weeks. The latter is one of the therapies recommended for depression in the NHS as an alternative to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) or antidepressants. I have some training in Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy, for clients with more complex difficulties related to trauma or personality disorder. I have worked in the NHS and in private practice for over ten years. I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. 

Areas of work

I have particular interest in working with people who suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, have repeated difficulties in relationships or self-destructive habits, have had an abusive past or traumatic experiences, family issues, or a general feeling of unhappiness about themselves and their lives that might be difficult to pinpoint. I am also interested in working with patients who have a personality disorder or are wondering if they fit this diagnosis.

For therapists seeking supervision I specialise in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy, for which I am also a trainer, and more general psychodynamic work.

About the therapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of talking therapy where I would work with you to help you understand your unconscious mind: the feelings, ideas and actions that might be troubling you which you don't understand. I am interested in how you feel and behave in relationships, which may be connected to your experiences in early childhood as well as those throughout life. My approach is also informed by understanding the ways that people have developed to cope with trauma, and how we have different parts of our minds that sometimes want different things. Listening to, and bringing together these parts, can help us understand and manage internal conflicts.

After an initial assessment session, if we agreed to work together, we would meet once a week on the same day and at the same time for fifty minute sessions. The sessions would take place at the same location, in my comfortable treatment room close to London Bridge. I also have availability for weekly sessions by video call. During the treatment we would think about how long the therapy should last and which areas we needed to focus on. Any information shared with me would remain confidential unless in exceptional circumstances (involving immediate risk).

I work according to the ethical guidelines laid out in the BACP:

http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/

I can offer a free 15 minute telephone call or video consultation, if you would like to meet before an initial assessment session, so I can explain in person how I work and we could think about if I could help.

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold an MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy from Birkbeck. I am a BPC-accredited Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy practitioner and supervisor, and DIT in Complex Care practitioner. I am currently undertaking further training in Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy. I hold a BA in English Literature from Oxford University.

I have experience working with adults of all ages, from different cultural backgrounds and with different outlooks on life, sexuality, religious faith, professional interests and political beliefs. I am experienced in working with people who have problems that may be difficult to talk about, in their relationships, their families or their workplace.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£75.00 - £100.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Aviva
  • check_circle Vitality

Additional information

My standard fee is £75-100 for a fifty minute session. However, I also operate a sliding scale payment scheme for clients who have financial constraints.

I am happy to arrange a free 15 minute video call to talk in person about how I work. 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I have availability on Monday afternoons and evening, Tuesday mornings and afternoons.

30 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3QJ

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check info

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