Questions about therapy

Start with a free 15-minute call. We talk briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy and whether my way of working is likely to suit you. You don’t need to describe your full history. If we both think it makes sense, we arrange an initial consultation — charged at the usual session fee — to understand your situation in more depth.

We discuss what you’d like help with and how it affects your life. First meetings can feel anxious, and that’s fine to say out loud. The consultation may lead to a recommendation for therapy, a further meeting, or a referral elsewhere if another service would suit you better.

Then I’ll say so, and help you find a therapist or service that is. What matters is that you get the right help, not that you get it from me.

I’m a Counselling Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (registration number PYL29027) and Chartered with the British Psychological Society. “Counselling Psychologist” is a protected title in the UK. I trained at doctoral level, worked in the NHS, and have practised for 17 years. More about me.

Mainly Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). It pays close attention to feelings, anxiety and the ways we protect ourselves from difficult emotions, as they happen in the session — rather than only talking about them afterwards. “Intensive” describes the focus of the work, not pressure: we go at a pace you can manage. More about ISTDP.

Individual adults only. You can work on relationship difficulties on your own, whether or not your partner wants to take part. If you’re looking for couples or family sessions, I can help you find an appropriate service.

Adults aged 18 and over. People come with anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns, self-criticism, the effects of trauma or emotional neglect, and physical symptoms that medical tests haven’t fully explained. Some come after previous therapy; others are starting for the first time.

Usually weekly, at a fixed time, for 50 minutes. How long therapy lasts depends on what you bring. Some difficulties shift within a relatively short time; longer-standing patterns usually take longer. We review progress together rather than fixing a number of sessions at the start.

Yes, by Zoom, anywhere in the UK. In-person sessions are near Earl’s Court station. If you’ll be outside the UK, please contact me first so we can check whether I can work with you there. More about online therapy.

Yes. I offer sessions in Greek and English. Θεραπεία στα Ελληνικά.

£150 for a 50-minute session if you’re paying yourself. Sessions funded through insurance are £200. Fees and location.

I work with WPA, and have worked with members of Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Healix. Many international plans let you choose your own practitioner, so if your insurer isn’t listed, please ask. Insurers often require a GP referral and pre-authorisation, so check your cover, any excess and session limits before booking. If you’re an expat or internationally insured, this page may help.

Yes. The only exceptions are if I became seriously concerned that you or someone else was at risk of serious harm, if you were involved in serious crime, or if a court required your records. Wherever possible I would talk with you first. I have regular professional supervision, where clients are discussed anonymously, and my supervisors are bound by the same confidentiality and ethical codes. I comply with UK data protection law.

This practice isn’t a crisis service, and I can’t guarantee availability between sessions. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help that isn’t an emergency, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. For someone to talk to, day or night, call Samaritans free on 116 123.

Please tell me. Therapy can involve difficult feelings, but distress isn’t automatically a sign it’s helping. If you feel uncomfortable, misunderstood or worried about the pace, we can look at that together. You can also raise a concern with the HCPC.