Dr Susan Iacovou
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Feeling sad, anxious, angry or confused? If you are struggling to make sense of something that has happened in your life - whether it be everyday concerns and stresses or something more major and traumatic - working things through online with a Counselling Psychologist can help. I have worked face to face and online with clients aged 14 to 84 and from a wide range of backgrounds on issues as individual and unique as the clients themselves. From depression to marital issues, low self esteem, fear of dying or general anxiety, if you need a focused and friendly space in which to work things out, I am here to help.
Integrative Counselling Psychology
As an integrative Counselling psychologist and therapist trained in a range of therapy styles I work with clients to build an understanding of the issues or challenges they face and the way in which their unique needs, personality, values and ideas about the world affect their ability to address them. Each client’s therapy is different, with the form it takes being agreed through a process of gentle exploration and confirmation of what works best for you. This flexible approach means that we are not restricted to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ perspective, recognizing that your preferences and the effectiveness of the therapy is more important than theory, and taking into account the fact that research demonstrates that it is the relationship between client and therapist that produces the best outcomes.
Existential Counselling Psychology
At the core of my practice are existential ideas e.g. the fact that as human beings we all face many of the same challenges including anxiety and sadness, getting on with other people, death and loss, loneliness and isolation, freedom, choice and responsibility, trauma and pain, and how to live in a meaningful way. The difficult times we live in at present, where the threat of new pandemics, the reality of wars, climate change and the increasing cost of living can remind us of our vulnerability and the vulnerability of our loved ones, can make it difficult to succeed in our careers, to maintain strong relationships with family and friends, to stay fit and healthy and to take control of our lives.
The existential approach is based on the principle that you are the expert as far as your life is concerned and that it is possible for you, with support, to make sense of the problems and difficulties you face (no matter how big) and to experience your life to the full – to live in a way that feels real.
I will work with you to explore your situation and to:
Examine the things that are really important to you – the things that really make your life meaningful;
Identify behaviours, attitudes and ways of looking at the world that help you to achieve the things that are really important in your life, and those that get in the way of achieving those things;
Enable you to make your own choices about the way you live, based on what you discover.
Existential therapy is increasingly popular with individuals and couples who want to address fundamental issues such as how to make the most of life, how to live harmoniously with other people and how to address life’s challenges and traumas.
Online therapy is provided via a Professional Zoom Account (which is like Skype or FaceTime but more secure, reliable and easy for you to use). I have been providing online therapy for 14 years and find it is as effective as face to face therapy. It does of course require you to have access to a safe, comfortable space where you can talk privately. And having a cup of tea or coffee handy is also recommended!
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and bring psychological knowledge as well as an understanding of a range of therapeutic techniques to my work as counsellor/psychotherapist. This doesn't mean that I will be diagnosing you or labelling you. Instead, it means that I am able to help you in a flexible way, bringing an understanding of what it means to be human and how human psychology affects our ways of being in the world along with counselling and therapeutic skills and knowledge.
I've worked as a counsellor/therapist since 2007, including time working with military personnel and their families, working in the education sector and working in private practice. Before this, I worked in business psychology and was the Head of HR Consulting for Deloittes in Scotland, and I have experience working with clients who have high profile careers as well as those who work in high-pressure environments (though my clients come from all backgrounds and walks of life).
I work online providing counselling to clients who find it easier and more convenient than working in the same physical space, or who, for example, travel a lot or prefer not to/can't leave their homes.
Member organisations
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.
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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Chronic illness. Chronic pain. Military psychology. Occupational counselling re work issues, performance concerns, redundancy, etc. Psychological testing for career purposes.
Therapies offered
Fees
£100.00 - £120.00
Free initial telephone session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Please note that I only offer online sessions:
Individual Counselling/Psychotherapy sessions (1 hour): £110
Couples Counselling Sessions (1.5 hours): £160
When I work
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My first session is at 830am and final session of the day at 430pm. I'm sorry, I have do not work evenings or weekends.
Further information
I have written widely in the counselling, psychology and psychotherapy areas. My two most recent books are:
Existential Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques (Co-authored with Karen Weixel-Dixon and published by Routledge); and
Existential Relationship Therapy published by Macmllan (co-edited by Professor Emmy van Deurzen).
I teach Doctoral and Master's students in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy, as well as supervise their clinical and research work.
