Raf Goovaerts

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Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

London N6 & EC1R
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Psychotherapy can be described as the examination of suffering, in its broadest sense. Our suffering can range from certain symptoms and behaviours that bother us, to the deeper underlying issues at the root of these, all the way to the search for truly knowing ourselves and the meaning of our lives.

I offer a safe, non-judgmental and confidential space in which to explore your experience, thoughts, worries, feelings, memories and aspirations. I see therapy as a gentle instrument to foster a sharper listening to your embodied experience in the present moment and gradually to develop trust in your experience. Doing this in relationship with a therapist opens up a wider field of exploration and potential than just sitting with and pondering everything by yourself. It provides you with an extra support and a “therapeutic mirror” as you deepen within yourself and your own truth.

I offer weekly one-on-one sessions on a long or short-term basis, according to need.  Please contact me to arrange an introductory session, where we can discuss your particular needs and requirements, and I can answer any questions you may have.

Walk & Talk Therapy: For some people, talking therapy in a therapy room might not be their preferred way to start or stay in therapy. From my consulting rooms in North London, Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill are close by and I am happy to offer this healing and beautiful outdoor environment as a space where we can walk and explore as well as sit and talk.

Training, qualifications & experience

I trained at Karuna Institute as a Core Process Psychotherapist. This contemplative and mindfulness-based approach combines Western and Eastern (Buddhist) approaches to psychotherapy and how to improve our mental well-being.  Clients are supported to bring gentle awareness to their personal process and problems within an atmosphere of mutual enquiry and kind compassion. Core Process Psychotherapy holds a core belief that inherent health is present in each of us and that therefore true healing is possible if we can be fully present with our experience.

I am also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.  Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. The Somatic Experiencing approach aims to safely release traumatic shock, allowing for a natural transformation of both PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early childhood trauma.

I undertook my clinical training at Homerton Psychiatric Hospital and at the Centre for Better Health in Hackney, a community-based charity offering long term, low cost psychotherapy.

Prior to working as a psychotherapist, I spent over 20 years in the investment banking, private equity, and impact investing industry in New York and London. I have worked extensively with company founders and management teams across most sectors and geographies. My interest in psychotherapy grew out of the practice of Advaita (‘oneness’) philosophy, yoga and meditation which ran alongside my professional career.  Most importantly, my own experience in life guided me towards becoming a psychotherapist.  My working language is English but I also speak Dutch, Italian and French.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

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

UK Council for 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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Midlife challenges and opportunities. Culture and identity issues (cross-cultural backgrounds, LGBT identity issues, professional identity issues, spiritual identity issues).

Fees

Additional information

I am registered with Aetna, Aviva, AXA PPP, and VitalityHealth.

Further information

I currently see clients in:

- West Hill House (www.westhillhouse.xyz), a quiet building in Swain’s Lane, one of Highgate’s most charming streets. It is within 50 metres of Hampstead Heath and with easy access to bus, train and underground.

- Stillpoint Spaces (london.stillpointspaces.com), a co-working space focused on psychology and related disciplines in the heart of Clerkenwell.

- Hampstead/Belsize Park/Primrose Hill (NW3)

You can find more information on my website: http://www.flytofreedom.co.uk/

For more details of Core Process Psychotherapy see http://www.karuna-institute.co.uk/

For more details of Somatic Experiencing see https://traumahealing.org

West Hill House, 6 Swain's Lane, London, N6 6QS

Stillpoint Spaces, 23 Clerkenwell Close, London, EC1R 0AA

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults
Older adults
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Additional languages

Dutch/Flemish, Italian, French

Social

Raf Goovaerts
Raf Goovaerts