Sivan Keidar-Halevi

Life can be very challenging, and we all develop our unique coping mechanisms and creatively adjust to our circumstances. You may have learnt that appearing tough protected you from ridicule, or that being quiet was the safest way to avoid conflict, or that looking after others would get you the love you need. As you grow up, the same coping mechanisms that helped you in the past, may prove less effective . The task of therapy is to identify what attitudes serve you well and need keeping, and what other ways of being may support you better, and are worth developing. So you may experiment with showing your vulnerability, or telling the therapist frankly when you disagree with them, or looking after yourself for once.
I am a qualified and experienced psychotherapist , committed to help you learn how to improve your ability to cope with life's challenges, improve relationships and resolve other personal issues. Through 21 years of experience as a psychotherapist I have supported individuals in coping with anxiety, depression, and low self esteem, resolving relational issues and childhood traumas, and working through challenging times like divorce and bereavement.

As global issues like climate change are affecting people's lives and mental health, I offer a safe space to process emotions of anxiety, grief, anger, hopelessness and helplessness. I support people in finding meaning and growing their strength  to face this existential crisis.

About me:

I am a Gestalt Psychotherapist, a supervisor, and a member of UKCP (U.K Council for Psychotherapy) , Metanoia, and IATE (Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education).I have a certificate in Couples' counselling, and a Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy. 

I am passionate about my work and proud of the progress people make through it. I provide a non-judgemental, supportive space, and believe that it's only when you can feel compassion towards yourself, exactly as you are, that you can change. While being empathetic and warm I will also challenge habitual patterns of thoughts and behaviours that may not serve you well any more.

I value the uniqueness of every individual, and their singular way of coping with the challenges and opportunities life present.

I value the relationship between therapist and client as a tool that teaches us how you relate to others in your life. We learn about how you prevent yourself from asking for what you want, or appear to smile when upset. Within the safety of the therapeutic relationship you can try out and adopt new ways of behaving.

The setting:             
I see clients in my private practice in a spacious, quiet and pleasant surrounding close to public transport. with ample street parking

Experience:

Apart from my long standing private practice I had been working for many years in a women's charity, offering individual counselling, providing supervision to counsellors and facilitating a support group. Frequent themes of work were depression, bereavement, childhood abuse, low self esteem, eating disorders and parenting concerns. I have also been working for many years with children in primary school setting.

How I work:
As children we all develop patterns of behaving that are crucial to our emotional survival but may not serve us so well at our present life. Many of us had to push some of our feelings (like anger or vulnerability) out of awareness as these were not acceptable to our environment. In therapy I help increase awareness of your feelings so that you can make choices based on your real needs, and recognise your old patterns and beliefs. Clients are then encouraged  to try out  new ways of thinking and behaving. E.g.: A person that has grown up to be self reliant can learn to ask for support when it's needed, and a person that never expressed anger can start by telling me when they disagree with me.

I support clients' awareness of self criticism they may have adopted in the past and encourage a less harsh, more supportive way of relating to oneself. Once people are able to feel compassion towards themselves, they become more compassionate as partners and parents.

Couples Counselling (currently not taking on new couples):
When Partners have many unresolved conflicts both tend to feel painfully rejected and criticised. Understandably they find it difficult to listen to the other's point of view without feeling attacked. I offer a safe space where both sides will be listened to with empathy. Partners will face the challenge of accepting that both of them hold different and valid views and feelings. We will look at destructive patterns of relating, and learn to communicate more effectively. Often relational difficulties express themselves in the sexual and intimacy sphere. I am aware of how exposing and sensitive these areas are for most people. Some of my interventions would be validating the partners' differing needs and longings and identifying beliefs and personal experiences that may inhibit them.

What to Expect:
You can call or email to arrange a series of 3 introductory sessions. In these sessions you will have an opportunity to talk about what brought you to therapy, clarify goals for work, and get an idea about my way of working. If we decide to work together, we will agree to meet for either a short term 6-8 sessions, or for an open ended work. Therapy sessions last 50 minutes for individuals and 60 minutes for couples , and I would allocate a regular weekly time for our sessions.

Individuals - £70 per session - 50min.

Couples - £100 per session -  60min. (Currently not taking on new couples)

Limited number of concessions available on day time slots.
Short term therapy available.