Dora Fotopoulou

Anger, Worry, Anxiety- General/ Social/ Work related stress, depression, relationship issues, challenging family dynamics, pre nuptial counselling, pregnancy and birth, infertility, abortion, miscarriage, post-natal depression, shame, guilt, self-esteem, confidence, shyness, despair, bereavement/loss/divorce/breakup, homesickness, cross cultural relationships, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, substance abuse, violence, childhood trauma, parenting, new families and many other concerns that can have an impact on everyday life.

Perhaps you feel lost and upset that things are out of your control. Perhaps you are interested in counselling for something specific such as Anxiety, Depression, self-esteem/confidence, bereavement, anger and/ or you may be looking for longer-term psychotherapy. You might find yourself withdraw from people you love and having the impression no one can understand your pain. You might be at this stage of your life that you are seeking a new identity or the previous roles/ priorities you had in your life don’t satisfy you anymore. My approach holds space for both personal history and unrecognised potential for people looking to understand their difficulties and find a deeper meaning in their life and new possibilities.

I have a special interest in issues around parenting, such as antenatal and post-natal anxiety and depression; still birth; miscarriage; infertility; fears around pregnancy and birth; parenting challenges and so on. The emotional impact of the loss of a pregnancy to a mum is a complicated experience.I have also experience in working with couples coming to therapy when their relationships are impacted by issues related to fertility or parenthood. Sometimes, when there is pregnancy loss, parents might have very different experiences.
I am a registered member of of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP reg.) drawing from different therapeutic models when working with adults and young people in both short and long term therapy.

Let me introduce myself and feel free to get in touch in order to discuss further. I have been working within therapeutic counselling settings several years and have considerable training and experience in general and specialised practice including working with clients facing: relationship issues, challenging family dynamics, depression, anxiety, work related stress, infertility issues, separation, bereavement/loss, shame, low self-esteem, trauma, anger and many other issues that can present to us during our lives.

How can counselling/psychotherapy help?

Counselling/ psychotherapy enables you and encourages you :

* To think about yourself more deeply

* Understanding your feelings and emotions.

* Exploring difficulties in relationships with others around you

* Change old, dysfunctional patterns

* Managing problems such as anger and sadness and coping better with anxiety and stressful situations.

* Open up possibilities within a life that may feel stuck.

Although therapists will not give you advice they will help you to find your own insights, identify your own needs and think about how you would like to move forward.

Normally it takes a number of sessions before therapy makes a difference and regular weekly commitment with your therapist is highly recommended.

What should I expect during my first session?

The first session is an assessment up to 60 min to get a good initial sense of your present situation and learn a little about your past, as well as about your hopes for the future. It is an opportunity to say what is troubling you, what has brought you to therapy now and what would you like to achieve in coming. I will be directed about what we should focus and make some suggestions about how we might approach it. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about the therapeutic process or about the way I work. If we agree to work together, we will normally meet for 50 minutes each week. For couples counselling is 70 minutes and usually forthnightly.

How I work?

In my work, great importance is placed on the development of a sincere, genuine dialogue as a crucial component of the therapeutic process, as you and I together pave the way for making the changes you wish in life. I am passionate about supporting individuals and couples to increase their awareness and to move forward in their lives. Life can be challenging and overwhelming and an authentic exchange outside our circle of friends and family can enable us to overcome the despair that life may evoke to us. I see self-acceptance as a central part of self-development and growth and I aim to support people to develop to their full potential.

I am committed to a high standard professional therapeutic practice and I am bound by the Codes of Ethics and Professional Procedures of BACP and work in the strictest confidence.

Depending on your needs, the kind of therapy I offer can be explorative as well as practical focus to help you understand and overcome your difficulties. I offer short-term (10-12 weeks); medium-term (up to 24 weeks) and long-term, open ended therapy.

To fit in with your busy schedule, Skype, zoom, facetime sessions are also possible.

My fees are £65.00 for individual therapy (Up to 50 minutes, usually weekly)
My fees are £100 for couples therapy. 

I offer also a more affordable way of accessing counselling and psychotherapy through a low cost service. If you’re on benefits,student or a low income there’s no reason why you can’t have therapy too. Please ask me about this when you first make contact.

I am a registered practitioner with health insurance providers : WPA, Aetna Global Benefits and Vitality Health

I offer sessions in English, French and Greek language.