I am a full clinical psychotherpist offering psychodynamic psychotherapy.  This kind of therapy recognises that our symptoms and struggles have deep, underlying causes, which operate outside of our awareness, in ways that we are not conscious of.  They bring about symptoms and destructive patterns, and over the years have a profound impact on our life story.  Because these causes are unconscious, they can be highly resistant to change, undermining our best efforts at wellbeing and growth.  Psychodynamic therapy helps us to recognise and modify these, thereby reducing symptoms.

In this video​ Prof. Shedler of UCSF gives an overview of 7 key principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy.  It is useful for anyone wanting to find out more about this approach.​

Is it the right therapy for you?

If you have a genuine interest in relieving symptoms through gaining deep self-knowledge, have the capacity for self-reflection, and are naturally curious about your internal life, relationships and society, then my approach should work well for you. 

Does psychodynamic therapy work?

In recent years, there have been a great variety of therapies on offer to the public. Besides being bewildering, many of these therapies may not work or even be destructive to clients. 

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Questions to ask yourself when trying to find a good therapist.
Finding a good therapist is not easy.  These questions will help:

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Question 1: Are you and your therapist a good match?

Research has found that the quality of relationship between client and therapist is a major factor in whether the therapy will be a success or not.  It is important, therefore, to be mindful about which therapist you take on.  There should be a connection and an ability to 'get one another'.  While it may take a few sessions to start getting a sense of this, I offer my first session free as an opportunity to meet before taking on work together.  This will give a chance to have some idea whether we will work well together.

 

Question 2:  Does the therapist belong to a professional body?

Does the therapist belong to a professional body?  In the UK, the main professional bodies are the UKCP and the BACP.

Question 3:  Is the therapeutic approach evidence based?
​In recent years, there has been an increased requirement for serious therapies to offer evidence that they actually work.  The field of Evidence Based Research and Evidence Based Practice has developed to address this need.  Psychodynamic psychotherapy has built up an evidence base through these methods, and continues to monitor and evaluate its practices according to the requirements of evidence based practice. 

​I have provided a few resources with respect EBP and psychodynamic therapy:This journal article from Contemporary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
This report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists offers an overview of the evidence for psychodynamic therapy