Psychodynamic counselling
The psychodynamic approach
Psychodynamic counselling is rooted in the understanding that our present difficulties are often shaped by past experiences, early relationships, and patterns of feeling and behaviour that have developed over time, many of which operate outside our everyday awareness.
Our focus
Explore the deeper roots
Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, psychodynamic work seeks to explore the deeper roots of what’s troubling you. This means paying attention to:
Recurring themes in your life
The patterns that keep showing up across different relationships, situations, and stages of life
How you relate to others
The ways you connect, withdraw, conflict, or lose yourself in relationships
Emotional responses
What your emotional responses might be telling you about unresolved experiences from the past.
A relationship for growth
Central to this approach is the relationship between counsellor and client, which itself becomes a space for understanding and change.
Through a process of gradual exploration and growing self-awareness, many people find that longstanding patterns begin to shift in meaningful and lasting ways.
Make lasting progress
A substantial body of evidence supports the effectiveness of the psychodynamic approach for a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and low self-esteem. Importantly, research also suggests that the benefits tend to deepen over time, continuing to grow even after counselling has ended.
Is this approach right for me?
This way of working tends to suit people who want more than symptom relief, who are curious about the “why” behind what they’re experiencing, and open to reflecting on patterns that show up across relationships, not just the one immediately in front of them. It can be especially valuable if you’ve tried more structured or short-term approaches before and felt something was still missing, or if you’re drawn to a slower, more exploratory kind of conversation.
It’s not a fit for everyone, and that’s okay. If you’re looking for quick, practical tools for a specific problem, other approaches might suit you better. The best way to find out is our introductory call, where we can talk through what you’re looking for and whether this feels like the right space for you.
FAQs
It’s natural to have questions before starting counselling. Here are answers to some of the things people often wonder about, and if there’s anything else on your mind, you’re always welcome to ask.
How much does it cost?
Sessions are £60 for 50 minutes. I hold a limited number of reduced-rate spaces for people on low incomes and for students. Do get in touch if this would make a difference for you, and we can discuss what’s available.
How long does counselling last?
There’s no fixed endpoint set in advance. Some people find a few months brings the clarity they’re looking for; others value staying with the work for longer, sometimes years. We’ll keep this under review together, and ending is something we’ll always plan for and talk through rather than something that just happens.
Do I need to know what to talk about?
No, you don’t need to arrive with anything prepared. Many people find that what feels most pressing emerges naturally once we’re in the room together. Part of my role is to help create the space for that to happen, at your pace.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, what you share in sessions is treated as confidential. I work in line with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework, which guides how client information is handled and protected.
There are a small number of exceptions where I may need to break confidentiality, mainly where there’s a serious risk of harm to you or to someone else, or where I’m required to by law. Where possible, I would always aim to discuss this with you first.
I also take part in regular clinical supervision, as required by the BACP framework. This means I discuss my work in a general, anonymised way with a supervisor, to make sure I’m working safely and effectively. Your identity is never disclosed.
What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably, and there’s a lot of overlap between the two. I use “counselling” to describe my work, which is psychodynamic and relational in approach, meaning we pay attention not just to what’s happening in your life now, but to patterns and relationships, including the one between us, and how they shape your experience.
Do you offer online sessions?
I believe there is something special and unique about meeting in person so that is at the heart of how I work. Online sessions can be arranged where needed in certain circumstances.
What if I can’t attend a session?
If you need to cancel a session, I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice. Sessions cancelled with 48 hours’ notice or more aren’t charged; sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged in full.
How do I know if counselling is right for me?
It’s a good question, and one worth exploring on our introductory call. People come to counselling for all kinds of reasons. They may be feeling stuck, going through a difficult period, wanting to understand long-standing patterns, or simply wanting space to think. There’s no single “right” reason to start.
Still have questions?
No question is too small. Get in touch and I’ll be happy to talk things through.