At different points in our lives, we struggle with the feeling that our life has lost its sense of purpose or direction. This experience of aimlessness may lead to feelings of depression, anxiety or confusion.

Sometimes this lack of meaning arises after a sudden change in our circumstances such as the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or or a bereavement. At other times, we may feel that over time our lives have drifted further and further away from what we’d hoped for ourselves.

As times like these, speaking with an existential psychotherapist can help. 

about me.

I am a trainee psychotherapist with a passion for working alongside people to help them uncover what gives their lives meaning. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where together we can explore the challenges you’re facing  and discover what a life well lived looks like for you. 

I initially trained in Integrative Psychotherapy  at the Minster Centre in London where I learned to work in a number of ways including Psychodynamic, Somatic and Humanistic approaches. I have continued my training at The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, where I am currently undertaking postgraduate work in Existential Psychotherapy. I draw upon all of these schools of thought to create bespoke approaches for each and every client I work with, ensuring that our work is suited to your goals for therapy and your views of the world. 

Prior to training as a psychotherapist I enjoyed a twenty year career working in the arts. I am an award winning writer and theatre maker, and have toured across the UK and overseas. In 2014 I founded Big Feast, an arts management company dedicated to supporting talented artists from marginalised communities to make ambitious artworks about issues that matter to people now. 

I also hold a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Gender and Sexuality Studies.

About therapy

For those who are new to it, therapy can seem like a daunting process. Much of what we think we know about therapy comes from films and television. You may be wondering if we’ll spend much of our time talking about your childhood, or whether I’ll be able to solve your problems. 

The reality is that therapy is a collaborative process. We’ll meet on a regular basis (usually weekly) for 50 minutes. Through our work together, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect more deeply on your life – your relationships, your hopes and ambitions, your dilemmas.

People often turn to therapy because they are suffering, or they want to make sense of their lives and the challenges they’re facing. Therapy is an opportunity to unburden yourself and explore your thoughts and feelings with a someone who is present and compassionate, but at a distance from your life – I am not a friend or a family member. From this critical distance, I can offer thoughts and observations about patterns of behaviour or faulty beliefs which may be difficult for you to see. 

Above all, therapy is an opportunity to develop the skills we need to lead a rich and meaningful life: the ability to self-reflect, to be compassionate to ourselves and others, to act with authenticity, and to find beauty and joy in our life as it is now in this moment.

Some of the issues I work with include:

  • Addictions
  • Anxiety
  • Bereavement
  • Creativity
  • Depression
  • Issues related to sexual and / or gender identity (including LGBT, non binary, asexual and queer identities)
  • Issues related to race and / or cultural identities
  • Personal development
  • Relationships and sexuality (including BDSM, ethical non-monogamy, polyamory and swingers)
  • Religion and spirituality
  • Stress
  • Trauma 
  • Work related issues, retirement and redundancy

about Existentialism.

Existential Psychotherapy is deeply rooted in philosophy, primarily Existentialism, which is concerned with what it means to be human. It emphasises the role we play in shaping our lives through the choices we make, our ability to create own meaning, and the importance of our relationships with others. Existentialism calls upon us to deeply understand our core beliefs and values and live authentically. Existentialists believe feelings of despair and anxiety arise when we refuse to accept how our lives are not in line with our core values, and suggests that by realigning ourselves with those values we can live full, rich, meaningful lives. As an Existential Psychotherapist, I’ll support you to discover and better understand your own personal core beliefs and to live more authentically.  I’ll help you to consider the interplay between the choices you make and things which are outside of your control, which will lead to greater satisfaction in life. 

 

Contact me.

Find me.

 

ADDRESS:
56 Middlesex Street
London
E1 7EZ