About me
I am a UKCP registered counsellor / psychotherapist offering both couple / relationship therapy and individual therapy in Brockley. I support my clients to learn about themselves, to make meaning from difficult experiences and to develop new ways of being that serve them in their present lives and relationships. I am frequently struck by my clients' courage in facing themselves and their experiences, and consider it a privilege to be with them as they do so. Simply acknowledging a need for help can often be enormously difficult.
I recognise that all sorts of things may bring people to therapy. Sometimes it’s a life event or transition that feels overwhelming. Sometimes it’s because we find ourselves struggling in relationships, or troubled by our thoughts, feelings or behaviour. Sometimes we are having to cope with an environment that devalues or rejects an aspect of our identity, or we just feel deep down that our lives could be lived more fully. In many cases, we arrive in therapy already knowing what we want help with; in others, this is what we come to find out. Whatever you are struggling with, I invite you to get in touch.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training
I trained as a psychotherapist over seven years at The Minster Centre on courses accredited by BACP and UKCP. This training was integrative, combining elements from several therapeutic models: psychodynamic, humanistic, existential and body-based.
I also hold a Certificate in Couple and Relationship Therapy accredited by COSRT (The College Sexual and Relationship Therapists).
My training included taught elements dedicated to issues such as
- domestic violence
- self-harm and suicide
- childhood sexual abuse
- eating disorders
- bereavement
- sexual difficulties in couples
I have also undertaken extra-curricular or post-qualification training in the following areas:
- The menopause (facilitated by Kate Codrington)
- Men’s issues in psychotherapy (Andrew Samuels)
- Distress related to the climate crisis (Climate Psychology Alliance)
Approach
The way I work is highly relational (see https://www.lindafinlay.co.uk/relational-centered-work/ for a detailed discussion). It is informed by attachment theory and the relational school of psychoanalysis, while considerations around difference, diversity power and privilege also hold an important place in my practice.
Experience
During my early training, I worked as a volunteer befriender at Maytree Respite Centre for people in suicidal crisis, a unique residential centre in North London.
Later, I provided counselling for six years at a college of music and dance, and therefore have particular experience working with younger adults, students (domestic and international), singers, musicians, composers, dancers, choreographers and actors.
In my private practice I work with a group of clients who are diverse in their gender, racial, ethnic, and sexual identities, as well as in age, neurotype and disability status, and I seek to work in an inclusive, anti-discriminatory way.
Member organisations
school 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.
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
- couple and relationship difficulties
- cultural identity
- gender and sexual identity
- men’s issues
- the transition to parenthood
- issues around trust or intimacy
- leaving home / homesickness
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£80.00 - £110.00
Additional information
A fifteen minute phone consultation is often helpful for both of us prior to arranging sessions. Please include your number when you email and we can find a convenient time to speak.
If you are seeking couple/relationship therapy, I will offer a video call so that I can meet both/all parties together.
I charge £80 for individual therapy and £110 for couple/relationship therapy. Sessions are 50 minutes.
When I work
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I see clients in the morning and early afternoon, on Mon, Tues, Weds and Fri.
Sessions are weekly, or, where appropriate, twice weekly.
I do not currently offer fortnightly sessions.
Further information
I have a research interest in fathers and fathering and have written for The New Psychotherapist, the magazine of UKCP. As a member of UKCP, I adhere to their code of professional ethics.
