PETER WOOD

Contemporary Psychoanalyst

Herne Hill - South London

About me

My working life started in the Health Service before going into Higher Education, ultimately to become a university lecturer, latterly to run a series of counseling and psychotherapy programmes. My time in the University Sector was indispersed with projects in the Voluntary and Private Sectors where I worked largely as a researcher or consultant. Back in 1979, whilst working in psychiatry, I first entered the world of psychoanalysis and was later to return and make psychoanalysis a permanent part of my life. Along the way I studied for masters degrees from Westminster University, Birkbeck College and Goldsmith’s College and was ultimately to qualify as a psychoanalyst with The Site For Contemporary Psychoanalysis. Some 10 years ago I left the university sector to devote myself to my psychoanalytical practice in South London. Latterly I became Chair of The Site For Contemporary Psychoanalysis’s London Training Committee.

Being in Therapy

It is hard to say precisely why people seek therapy, not least psychoanalysis, but it often involves distress, despair, overpowering anxiety, anger or depression. It might also be a life event which brings you along. In our work we will try to understand how you feature in these events, experiences or feelings; it is that part of the story – you – that our work will come to focus.

Psychoanalysis is concerned with those parts of your experience which are routinely overlooked, misunderstood and even denied. We will seek to understand the effects that this unconscious part of you has on the way you are able to live. Many such problems are the result of underlying conflicts and fears for which there seems to be no rational explanation. The role of the psychotherapist is to help people discover the nature of such fears and to find ways of resolving them. What occurs between you and the therapist will become as important all those other encounters and relationships that are part your life; the analytical encounter - the therapy session - is where we will begin to understand how those unconscious parts of you affect your life.

I do not practice a psychoanalysis which pathologises sexuality and will be sensitive to the ways that ethnicity, class and gender affect our work. I use contemporary readings of psychoanalytical theory tempered with the insights from Existentialism and Modern European philosophy; we avoid dogma and being overly rigid in our thinking.

Consultation

After a few words by email or phone we will meet for a consultation. At that first meeting we will explore your presenting problems, concerns and your hopes of what you want to achieve. At this first meeting we will also sort out the practical issues around the fees, times and days we will meet. Sessions are normally 50 minute long.

Fees

I charge £50-£70 for each session, but this will depend upon the number of times we meet. Generally speaking the more frequent the meetings the lower the session cost. I might have a low-cost space available (but never in the early morning or evening) and would take some account of your personal circumstances. My charge for a consultation is £60.

FAQ

  • Do you charge for missed sessions?
  • Yes, although if I know at least two working days in advance, I will try to fit you in at another time.
  • Can I come in the evening or weekends?
  • I work in the evenings but not the weekends.
  • How long will it take?
  • Many people work in an open-ended way. In a more counselling context, we might go for a time-limited option to resolve a specific problem. Open-ended and short-term work are charged differently.
  • Do you offer supervision?
  • I offer supervision to trainee and trained counsellors, psychotherapists and psychoanalysts.
  • Do you work with couples?
  • Yes, I work with all couples. I also work with siblings, parent/child and similar sorts of pairs.
  • If you can't take me, can you refer me to another local practitioner?
  • Yes, I am in contact with other therapists in the area.
  • What's the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
  • There's a lot of overlap. Both can be enriching and help you to deal with your life in a more effective way. Counselling often focuses on a specific problem, whereas psychotherapy tends to deal with more deep-seated issues. Not all people who seek psychotherapy are in a crisis, but are interested in finding out about themselves, improving relationships and living a more rewarding life. Unlike most counsellors, psychotherapists will have been through a good amount of therapy themselves as part of their training and development. This is especially true for those practicing in the psychoanalytical field.
  • How much will I have to do myself?
  • Therapy is an active process, like a journey of self exploration. The therapist can offer guidance, but the ultimate responsibility for changing is with you.
  • Does it usually work?
  • A great deal of research has been done in the last few years to demonstrate that psychotherapy is effective. There is a growing body of evidence that psychoanalysis can have long-term and more permanent beneficial effects. However, psychotherapy only works as a catalyst. This means that in order to be effective, the 'work' is not done to you - but in active collaboration you.
  • Will I need to stop medication?
  • We will discuss your medication and whether you need to stay on it. Ultimately however the decision will lie between you and your doctor.
  • What does it mean to be UKCP registered?
  • UKCP Registered Psychoanalytical Psychotherapists are properly trained, qualified professional and accountable psychotherapists. Most practitioners in psychoanalysis are registered through their member organization – mine is the Site For Contemporary Psychoanalysis. I follow the codes of ethics of the UKCP.
  • Will it work for me?
  • Many people get a great deal of benefit from psychotherapy and counseling. However psychotherapy is not suitable for everyone.
  • How will I feel during therapy?
  • It is possible that you may feel worse before you start to feel better. The process tends to stir up difficult feelings and this may be necessary to start with, but usually they disappear after a short time.
  • Is it confidential?
  • Yes.

Directions

I am in Herne Hill, SE24. Car parking in the road is free but finding a space can occasionally be difficult. I have a bicycle stand just by the front door. You can get to me by the Herne Hill and Tulse Hill overground stations and I am well supplied with buses and am a short bus journey (or 20 minute brisk walk) from Brixton Underground Station. The following buses bring you very near: number 2, 3, 68, 196, 201, 322, 415, 432, 468.

Contact