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"Who am I, and how am I to live?'
I practise a form of in-depth psychotherapy which leverages existential philosophy. This philosophy is not about abstract or conceptual arguments but an inquiry into what it means to exist. This fundamental question is not a problem to solve but a quest to live. While we all face it as humans, our response to its call distinguishes us. Distress also arises when we avoid it for too long.
You may come to consult with a specific issue in mind or because you feel stuck or unhappy. Each person has a unique life potential, and I see the problems my clients bring as reflecting authentic concerns about their existence rather than as evidence of disorder or illness. I believe that these issues and feelings connect to how you want to live and what is meaningful to you. Rather than offering advice, I aim to allow your own truth and possibilities to emerge.
My approach incorporates cognitive and experiential work. No two therapeutic journeys are the same, and I will tailor my interventions to your needs and progress. We aim to understand your position in the world, your particular way of being, and how you can create your own life. I am committed to searching for truth with an open mind and an attitude of wonder rather than fitting your experience into pre-established frameworks of interpretation.
I am also versed in psychology and (neuro)science and draw upon them when appropriate. The psyche sits in the body, and physiological processes mirror psychic processes. This is especially important when dealing with trauma or ‘physical’ symptoms like IBS or panic attacks. However, I recognise the limits of a purely scientific model of psychotherapy because science offers little help in finding what makes life worth living. This search remains, at least for now, philosophical, spiritual, artistic, or maybe political – choose what resonates.
Therapeutic change comes ‘from the inside out’ by finding your unique sense of authenticity or by experimenting with new positive behaviours that impact how you feel about yourself. In most cases, it is a combination of the two.
What therapy feels like
The relationship between client and therapist is the cornerstone of the therapeutic process and key to its effectiveness. My priority is to create a holding and stimulating environment in which you can heal and grow.
Sessions usually take at the same time every week in comfortable therapy rooms in Central London or on Zoom. They are explorative and non-directive. We follow what comes up for you and work towards understanding rather than explanation. We may explore your present experience, how you see your past, your hopes for the future, or how to engage creatively with life. There will be no pre-determined plan or homework but the freedom to discover what unfolds for you.
We will practice a different kind of dialogue, which entails slowing down and connecting deeply with something initially confusing and unclear until it reveals itself and becomes understood. When it happens, this understanding brings a physically felt relief. As psychotherapy progresses, this will gradually improve how you feel and encourage you to consider new choices and opportunities. You may learn new ways to live happily and creatively. You may also feel more able to welcome change and uncertainty, be truthful about who you are, and develop more satisfying relationships.
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