About Me
I have a multi discipline approach to counselling and therapy , which includes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Psychosexual Therapy, PIT (Post-Induction Therapy), Hypnosis, MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) and Guided Meditation.
I believe we are all individuals with our own set of life experiences, backgrounds, skills and problems. I offer a unique set of qualifications and experience and tailor my therapy to suit each person’s individual needs.
My Background
I've always had a personal interest in counselling, mediation and negotiation and used these skills extensively during my early career in finance.
Over time I became adept at finding solutions for employee welfare issues that affected people’s performance at work, resolving conflicts between colleagues, mediating between unions and management as well as planning and advising on career progression.
I developed these skills further by working as a volunteer Relate Counsellor. Giving up one day from my working week for over twenty years, helping people who were trying to resolve painful issues.
After completing my first Diploma in 1981, I left finance and became a full time therapist.
I continue to study and train, expanding my theoretical knowledge and practical experience as a therapist and counsellor.
My theoretical background is mainly Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. I also apply the principles of Analytical Psychology and Humanistic Psychology when appropriate.
Registration and Accreditation
I am registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). This is the National Organisation that regulates Sex and Relationship Therapists. UKCP is overseen and accredited by the UK Professional Standards Authority.
My UKCP Member Profile
Membership of UKCP is the mark of quality for high standards of training, professional and ethical practice from the National Professional Body for Psychotherapy.
I am an accredited member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT). COSRT is the UK’s leading organisation for therapists specialising in sexual and relationship issues.
My COSRT Member Profile
Being a member of UKCP and an accredited member of COSRT guaranties that each year I conduct a minimum of 100 hours practice, receive monthly supervision and undertake a minimum of 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development of which 16 hours must be directly relevant to the practice of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.
Qualifications
- Diploma : Couples Therapy (Relate 1981)
- Diploma : Psychosexual Therapy (Relate 1991)
- MSc : Psychosexual Therapy (1997)
- Diploma : Supervision for Individual and Couples Psychosexual Therapy (St George's Hospital 1997)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing) (2005)
- Certificate : Hypnosis (Surrey College of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy 2006)
- Diploma : CBT (Cognative Behavioural Therapy) Level 5 (2014)
- P.I.T (Post-induction Therapy) (Developmental immaturity & love addiction training) (Pia Mellody, Phoenix Arizona, 2015)
- Certificate : Bach Flower Remedies, Level 1 (Celia Stuart, Bath Holistic, 2017)
- In Private Practice since 1990
- In excess of 40,000 practice hours
- Member : UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) Since 1993 UKCP Member Profile
- Member : COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists) Since 1991 COSRT Member ProfileIf you feel the time is right for you,
then please contact me on
07957 161908 or
Click here to email me
2022
- 8/9/10 Dec 2022
Nscience Remembering, Re-experiencing, Reliving: applying therapeutic age regression in psychotherapy with clients Richard Erskine (9 CPD hours) - 12 & 13 November 2022
EMDR : Mary Clare de Echevarre Healing Complex Trauma: working with the body and dissociative parts (12 CPD hours) - 13 Sept
COSRT Process and Content of Supervision - support and challenge (2 CPD hours) - 20 & 21 May 2022
Withdrawal, Silence & Loneliness: Psychotherapy of the Schizoid Process Nscience Richard Erskine (10 CPD hours) - 17/18/19 March
Nscience Transforming Trauma-Related Resistance and StucknessJanina Fisher (10 CPD hours) - 16 March 2022
Nscience Therapy Session Masterclass series: working with the pain of lossDr Phyllis Kosminsky & Dr Jan Mcgregor Hepburn (3 CPD hours) - 18 February 2022
Nscience The Role of Fantasy in Complex TraumaKathy Steele (3 CPD hours) - 17 February
Nscience The Art and Science of Couples Therapy MatesYoungman (3 CPD hours) - 9 February
Nscience Envy: the Emotion that Devours the Self Dr McGregor Hepburn (3 CPD hours) - 9 February
Nscience Envy: the Emotion that Devours the Self Dr McGregor Hepburn(3 CPD hours) - 27/28/29 Jan 2022
Nscience The Narcissistic Dilemma: a Perspective from Relational and integrative Psychotherapy Richard Erskine(9 CPD hours)
2021
- 2 Dec 2021
Nscience Therapy Session Masterclass series: the dangerous edge: working with clients with a history of risk
Adshead & Hepburn (3 CPD hours) - 19/20Nov 2021
Richard Erskine (6 CPD hours) - 30 Sept 2021
Nscience Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Pat Ogden (3 CPD hours) - 22/23 June 21
Nscience Integrative psychotherapy Richard Erskine (6 CPD hours) - 14/15 May 21
Nscience Unconscious Relational Patterns, Cumulative Neglect, and Therapeutic Involvement Richard Erskine (6 CPD hours) - 6th March 2021
COSRT Conference The Parenting Relationship (6 CPD hours) - 5th Feb 2021
Disconnected & unreachable: how to work with shut down states of mind Alvarez & Music Confer (4 CPD hours) - 6th March 2021
21st Jan 21 Linda Graham Retiring the inner Critic Nscience (2 CPD hours)
2019/2020
- Sept 2019- Aug 2020
Psychopathology: Theory & Practice Diploma CONFER- different lecturers weekly (42 CPD hours) - 21st– 23rd February 2020
The Rhythm of Regulation: Clinical Applications of The Polyvagal Theory - The Portuguese Society for Constructivist Psychotherapis with Deb Dana (16 CPD hours) - 19th – 30th November 2019
Shame, Obsession and Habitual Worrying: A Perspective from Relational and Integrative Psychotherapy - Nscience with Dr Richard Erskine (10 CPD hours) - 16th – 20th October 2019
EMDR : Transforming Trauma, Mending Attachments, Supporting Resilience - Parnell Institute Innovations in EMDR Conference with Laurel Parnell and Mark Brayne (24 CPD hours) - 8th June 2019
Sex in the Ages: From Cradle to Grave - COSRT AGM & Conference with Prof Mile Kirby, Tim Blackstone, Sally Openshaw, Prof Stuart Brody, Angela Gregory (7 CPD hours) - 4th May 2019
Borderline Bodies - CONFER with Dr Clara Mucci (6 CPD hours) - 26th April 2019
EMDR with Generational Trauma - EMDR Focus with Mark Brayne (6 CPD hours) - 22nd March 2019
DID, BPDan /or C-PTSD? : Diagnostic Assessment and Theraputic Implications - Nscience with Dr Suzette Boon(5CPD hours) - 8th March 2019
Couple Therapy : Dynamic Approaches for Working with Aggression - Nscience with Susanna Abse(5CPD hours) - 2nd March 2019
The Use of Psychedelics in Psychotherapy - CONFER with Dr David Erritzoe, Dr Jo O'Reilly, Maria Papaspyrou, Dr Rosalind Watts (6CPD hours) - 26th January 2019
Celebrating 10 Years Of ATSAC: ATSAC Annual Conference - ATSAC (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity) (6CPD hours)
2018
- 16th – 17th November 2018
The Narcissistic Dilemma: A Perspective from Relational and Integrative Psychotherapy - Nscience with Dr Richard Erskine - 19th – 20th September 2018
Working with Insecure and Disorganised Attachment - Nscience Annual Conference with Prof. Peter Fonagy, Prof. Jeremy Holmes, Dr Gwen Adshead, Dr Christopher Clulow, Sarah Daniel and Dr Terence Nice - 9th June 2018
Sex in the Digital Age - COSRT AGM & Conference with Dr Markie L.C.Twist, Dr Andreas Vossler and Dr Naomi Moller, Jenny Riddell, Feona Attwood - 11th – 12th May 2018
Working with PTSD and Complex PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) - CONFER with Dr Felicity de Zulueta - 4th – 6th May 2018
Attachment and Trauma Personality Development and Psychotherapy Conference : International ISC, London
Relational Regulation and Stress – Multilevel Meaning Making, with Prof Edward Tronick
Developmental Reward, with Marilyn R Douvillier
Self Integration through Attachment Relationships in Psychotherapy and Daily Living, with Dan Hughes
The Treatment of Trauma and the IFS Modal (Internal Family Systems), with Richard Schwartz
Rewiring the Co-dependent Brain, with Robin Shapiro
Rewire Experience and Accelerate Transformation with AEPD (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), with Diana Fosha
The Gift of Therapy – Early Psychological Trauma, with Prof Irvin Yalom and Dr Alessandro Carmelita
Attachment Rupture Narrative Development, with Dr Guy Diamond
Movement Sequences and Personality Development: Psychology of Action, with Dr Pat Ogden
Integrative Psychotherapy with Challenging Trauma Patients, with Kathy Steele
Complex Trauma: Integration across Biological, Psychological and Social Aspects of Human Functioning and Experience, with Dr Louis Cozolino - 27th – 29th April 2018
Sexuality and Relationships Conference : International ISC, Athens
Sex and Attachment, with Dr Sue Johnson,
The Role of Sex in Relationship Formation and Maintenance, with Prof. Gurit Birnbaum
Sex as a Safe Adventure - Connecting Sexually and Emotionally through EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), with Zoya Simakhoskaya
The Multiple Nature Of Sexuality, with Offer Maurer
Sexual Addiction: Diagnostic Challenges and New Research, with Dr Stefanie Carnes
Beyond Desire: The Science of Sexual Pleasure, with Dr Emily Nagosky
Mindful Sex: The Science of Present Moment, Non Judgmental Intimacy, with Prof Lori Brotto
Couples Therapy with Transgender People and their Partners, with Jean Malpas
EFT / New Research with Couples, with Clare Rosoman and Jenny Fitzgerald
Transforming Sexual Narratives in No Sex Relationships, with Suzanne Iasenz - 17th March 2018
Trauma Attachment and Dissociative Identity Disorder – Nscience with
Dr Valerie Sinason - 09th February 2018
Shame Guilt and Sexuality – NScience with Jan Hepburn & David Richard - 27th January 2018
New Approaches to Understanding and Managing Sexual Fantasies / Female Sex Addiction: A Forgotten Population - ATSAC (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity) with Dr Fiona McKinney, Dr Ross Bartels, Dr Roberta Babb, Sally Openshaw, Stephanie Palin, & Jackie Williams
2017
- 1st December 2017
Love, Narcissism and Sexual Fantasy - NScience with Chris Culow
11th November 2017
The Deepening of the Mind, Psychoanalytical theory and Philosophy - CONFER with Neville Symington - 26th – 27th September 2017
EMDR / Attachment Focused, Healing developmental deficits in adults abused as children - NScience with Laurel Parnell, PHD - 10th September 2017
EMDR / Attachment Focused, Practice Day - NScience with Laurel Parnell, PHD - 15th - 19th July 2017
Bach Flower Remedies - Level 2 - Bath Holistic with Celia Stewart - 10th – 14th July 2017
Advanced Couple Therapy - The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationship, International Summer School - 17th June 2017
Clinical skills for working with Trauma, its impact upon the cient, the relationship, and the therapist - COSRT (College of Sexual & Relationship Therapists) - 5th May 2017
Erotic Transference and Countertranserance in Psychotherapy and Supervision - NScience with Professor Joy Schaverien - 6th May 2017
Creative Interaction between Analyst and Patient: Development of the ego and creative core of the personality in psychoanalysis - CONFER with Neville Symington - 28th - 29th April 2017
Principles of Trauma-Focused Training: Working toward restoration and repair - NScience with Dr Jamie Marich - 18th - 19th March 2017
Bach Flower Remedies - Level 1 - Bath Holistic with Celia Stewart - 28th - 29th April 2017
Principles of Trauma-Focused Therapy: working towards restoration and repair - Nscience with Dr Jamie Marich - 11th February 2017
Early Relational Trauma and Borderline States of Mind - NScience with Marcus West - 21st January 2017
Treating the Couple - exploring the impact of Sexual Addiction
Strong attractions in brain and behaviour - How neuroscience helps us understand addiction - ATSAC (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity)
2016
- 15th October 2016
Post Traumatic Growth - How Trauma can lead to Psychological Development- CONFER with Ruthie Smith - 7th October 2016
The Ins and Outs of Sexual Function in Men – COSRT (College of Sexual & Relationship Therapists) - 5th – 8th July 2016
Advanced Couple Therapy - The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships, International Summer School - 11th June 2016
Sex & the Brain – the Neuroscience of Love, Sex & Attachment – COSRT (College of Sexual & Relationship Therapists) - 18th March 2016
Compulsive Sexual Behaviour & the Couple Relationship - The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships - 10th Feb 2016
Sadism & masochism as Coping Techniques - CPD with Richard Curen - 21st Jan 2016
Sex Addiction: Approaches & Interventions – ATSAC (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity) - Jan – March 2016
The Psychodynamics of Couple Relationships – Love & Hate - The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships - 16thJan 2016
Projective Identification - The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
2015
- June 2015
COSRT AGM & Conference - 16th May 2015
Attachments and Intimacy : Developing Love Relationships - 15th May 2015
Ttraumatic stress: therapeutic implications of neuroscience research Bessel Van Der Kolk - 20th – 24th April 2015
P.I.T (Post-induction Therapy) (Developmental immaturity & love addiction training) Pia Mellody - 24th January 2015
ATSAC Conference : Experts in Sexual Addiction - 22nd January 2015
Losing Sleep - How Psychotherapeutic Techniques can help. David Lee
2014
- 7th November 2014
COSRT : Integrated Practice, The latest treatment options for female and male sexual difficulties–Integrating PST with Medical Treatments - July 2014
Level 5 Diploma - Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT) CPCAB : Developing Love Relationships - 12th July 2014
COSRT Conference - April 2014
Working with People with Personality Disorders, Confer - 5th April 2014
The Couple in the Room, The Couple in the Mind: and Attachment Perspective – The Bowlby Memorial Lectures - 25th January 2014
ATSAC Annual Conference : Sex Addiction - What’s love got to do with you?
What my clients and students say
Dear Anita,
A big thank you for being a wonderful therapist to me, for believing in me, for encouraging me, challenging me and loving me and to teach me to do all this for myself. I do not have the words to express my gratitude, only I can say Thank you so much, you have been a mum to me, the one I never had.
Dear Anita,
Thank you so much for all of the support you’ve given me over the last year & a half. As well as a counselor, I’ve also come to think of you as a friend & a teacher. I’m grateful for everything that I’ve learned from you – about myself & about human beings in general.
I hope you liked your seeds, they seemed like a good metaphor for the growth that’s happened for me
Dearest Anita,
A huge thank you for sharing your world with me! I’m so exited that we are working together from across the pond & you’re with me on this adventure.
I will report on the veg – but it won’t be as good as yours!
We’re both very grateful for you xxxx
I’ll miss you but see you via Skype soon!
P.S. You are a wise and wonderful teacher!
Dear Anita,
I felt I had to write and let you know of the successful result of our session last month.
I know that xxxx had told you about the sudden feeling of release followed by joyful tears that I experienced, a few days later.
Thank you so much, I didn’t realise what I was hanging onto.
It must be very rewarding for you to be able to help people so fundamentally.
Enjoy this fantastic weather
With all good wishes
To Anita,
Thank you so much for everything!
I’m so glad I found you! Its changed my life!
Dearest Anita,
Thank you for helping me to smile again.
I know I have grown so much since I started coming to see you and I have worked through a lot of things that I never thought I would really.
Not only have you helped me through my depression but you have also inspired me as a person and as a strong woman! I’ve learned so much and I will hang onto that and keep learning!
You are so special Anita, Thank you for everything. And thank you for my ---------
it means a huge amount to me.
We will always be in touch, I know that!
See you very soon!
Dear Anita, hope you are well
Just a note to thank you for the sessions I had with you when I was at a really low point
You really helped me and listened to my issues and gave me great support and advice and never made me feel as though I couldn’t tell you my problems. --- I have returned to work at a new location ----- and I am enjoying it. I am feeling much better and am no longer on medication. Thanks for the calls and texts ------------- I will count my blessing and thank god that I am well again! Thanks again, you are great at your job and I wish you every success for the future.
Kind regards
Dear Anita,
Thank you so much for all that you’ve done – sticking with me through thick and thin. I would never have got here without your help and wisdom.
Thank you doesn’t really express what xxxx
