Xaverine M A Bates
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Life can feel challenging at times. I offer a safe, confidential space to discuss any issues that could be getting in the way of you leading a full and creative life. Rather than offering advice, we can think together to understand any deep-seated issues which could be holding you back.
I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist, trained to work with adults, and qualified with the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF) in 2024. I am particularly interested in the challenges of living with neurodivergence, specifically autism and ADHD, in a society geared towards structures and ways of being suited to the neuromajority, and the mental health issues that can arise as a result, such as depression, anxiety, complex trauma, OCD, addiction etc. I take a neuroaffirmative approach, helping you navigate issues that may be preventing you from leading a full and creative life.
I use my previous experience as an artist and educator to inform my practice as a psychotherapist, often working with symbol and metaphor to help you understand deep-seated issues that could be holding you back.
My approach
I offer a free, no-obligation phone call to understand your needs and what you may be looking for in therapy, or we could exchange emails to see how I could be of help if you would prefer. After an initial consultation to understand your life and history, if mutually agreeable, we would then make a regular appointment to meet weekly, either in-person at my consulting room at Borough House Rooms in London Bridge or The Practice Rooms in Tunbridge Wells, or online via Zoom.
I tend to offer open-ended therapy, guided by you to work through issues which could be deep-seated and need time to be aired and understood. However, I can also offer time-limited work if this would suit you better. Sessions last 50 minutes at the same time each week.
Training, qualifications & experience
Psychodynamic psychotherapy training
My training as a psychodynamic psychotherapist is based on the foundations of psychoanalytic theory, adapted for life in the 21st century. I started my training at WPF Therapy, where I completed my Foundation in 2020 and the first three years of my training, before transferring to bpf in 2023. I am a member of the following organisations and abide by their code of ethics: UKCP, BPC & FPC.
Experience
Alongside my rigorous 5.5-year psychotherapy training, I worked at the Rock Clinic in Hove on Clinical Placement from 2023-25. Before this, I worked as Creative Practitioner with Eggtooth in 2022-23 supporting neurodivergent young people. I also volunteered as a Clinical Support Worker at St. Michael's Hospice and a Talk & Support Volunteer with the Association of Carers, in 2020-21. Prior to this, I completed Southdown's mental health peer support training in 2016.
Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked as an artist and educator for 25 years. I ran numerous projects, including The Mother Lode Project: a creative peer support project supporting mothers with mental health challenges, which I conceived and coordinated in 2019. Other roles included running arts and mental health workshops with Recovery Partners and Arts on Prescription. I also founded aGender in 2013, a charity which aimed to challenge gender stereotypes through creative media with young people in East Sussex. Alongside this I worked in schools supporting primary aged children for whom English was not their first language.
Qualifications
2024: Clinical Qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, British Psychotherapy Foundation
2020: Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills, WPF Therapy
I also hold a degree in Fine Art and another in Philosophy & Anthropology, as well as a PGCE in Primary Education.
Member Organisations
I am a member of UKCP, BPC & FPC and abide by their codes of ethics.
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 British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £110.00
Additional information
My fees operate on a sliding scale, depending on individual circumstances, which we can discuss during your initial consultation. I also offer some low-cost sessions for those on a tight budget (please note, these spaces are currently filled as of February 2025).
