Who am I?
Hello, I’m Harriet. I’m a UKCP and BPA accredited psychotherapist. I trained for 6 years at London Centre for Psychodrama. My core training is in psychodrama psychotherapy which is an integrative, embodied approach to psychotherapy. This means that as well as sitting and listening to you, at appropriate moments I might offer other ways to explore your world and create shifts, as well. These might include:
- Showing me some key events in your life so far by placing objects on the floor in a timeline and talking about them.
- Using a pen and paper to map out your family tree and convey how you experience dynamics between various family members.
- Describing some of the roles you hold in your life, significant people in your life, and experimenting by ‘holding’ any of these other roles to see if a new perspective emerges. This technique is called ‘role reversal’ and is gently introduced in the sessions, when helpful.
Alongside my core psychotherapy training, I infuse my work with what I’ve learned from the traditions of mindfulness meditation and my interest in the mind–body connection.
How I can help you
I work with people from all kinds of cultural, racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. I practise cultural humility, and have experience working through issues such as:
- Unpacking a lifetime (or generations) of discrimination and the impact of transgenerational trauma.
- Recovering from sexual abuse.
- Freeing yourself from oppressive family dynamics.
- Processing the impact of – and recovering from – eating disorders and other self-destructive behaviours.
- Living with loss, anxiety, and depression.
- Overcoming the strain of oppressive gender roles and demanding work settings.
You might not know why you’re seeking therapy, and that’s just as valid and welcome as any of the issues listed above.
I also have experience working with people who want to:
- Uncover a more authentic way of being in the world.
- Explore their identity.
- Dare to be vulnerable.
- Work out what direction to take their life in.
How I work
At the heart of my work is a commitment to being fully present so I truly encounter the unique person in front of me. I work in weekly, 50-minute sessions. The length of time spent working together really depends on what you want and can manage. This can be discussed in assessment.
What are the first steps?
Setting out to find the right therapist for you is an act of courage. How do you know if you’ve found the right person to work with? Where do you start? It can feel frightening to share personal material for the first time, especially if you’re venturing into traumatic or cloudy terrain. The best way to find out if working with me as your therapist would meet your needs and be a nourishing step is to book in for an assessment session.
What are assessment sessions?
In some ways, assessments are the most crucial part of the whole process. These very important introductory meetings allow you to ‘assess’ whether I’m the right therapist for you, to ask me any questions, and to experience a little of the way I work before committing. Assessments also allow me to learn about your world, why you’re seeking therapy, and what your expectations are. I form a clinical opinion of the material you’re bringing, which I share with you. If for any reason either of us feels we aren’t a good match, I’ll do my best to direct you towards services and/or clinicians that I feel will be better at meeting your needs.
For me, therapy is about helping my clients feel freer, more resilient, and more able to be wholly themselves in an unpredictable and often challenging world.
How do I get in touch?
Please do email me to book in for an assessment.
Email: [email protected]
How much does it cost?
The initial assessment session costs £40. The remaining 2 (if needed) cost £75 per session and are payable in advance.
Therapy sessions cost £80 per session.
Both assessment and therapy sessions last 50 minutes.
I have a few low cost slots for those on universal credit or have a low income. Please email me to inquire about whether any of these concessionary slots are available.