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.
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.
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.
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.