northlondoncounselling.com

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Basic Information

 

How are sessions organised?

Sessions last for 50-60 minutes and are regular weekly appointments ideally at the same place and time. Our first meeting will be an opportunity to see if we want to work together. You may want to ask any relevant information about myself and the therapy situation; we will also look at your expectations of therapy. In certain circumstances (e.g. disability or business trip) counselling over the phone or by email will be considered.   

How much does it cost?

Sessions cost £50 - 70 depending on where I see you and your financial circumstances. Lower cost therapy might be available for students and unemployed clients during daytime time slots. For couples the cost per session is £70 - 100. Holidays from my side will be taken in standard periods (Easter, summer and Christmas) with dates given well in advance. Clients will be expected to cover to cost of agreed sessions, attended or not, and a week's notice is expected for cancelations.

Where are you located?

I work in comfortable and private therapy rooms in North London: Stoke Newington N16, Highbury/Islington N1, Crouch End N8, and in Central London. When we arrange an initial session by email or over the phone we can discuss which location and time is most convenient for both of us. Good transport links and parking are available in both practices. Please be aware that there is no waiting room available in case you wanted to come earlier than the time of the session.
 

What should I expect in counselling?

In counselling and psychotherapy you will be able to talk in privacy about what you find difficult in your life. Developing awareness, understanding and self-questioning are parts of the counselling process; these skills and experiences can be developed during and beyond therapy. Some important experiences might involve: know better and accept yourself, clarify what you value, believe and aspire towards, how your aspirations meet your reality or how you might be able to reframe your mindset and reconsider creatively your life.

On a more practical level we could look at specific techniques to challenge negative thinking, relax and let go, as well as focus on skills and solutions to problems. Therapy is based on a mutual commitment to a regular exploration of the client’s experiences. A positive therapeutic experience depends on the gradual development of trust and safety between therapist and client. It may also be beneficial to have access to other supportive resources and this will be discussed with you as appropriate. Counselling sessions will be strictly confidential.

How do you practice? 

My style is interactive, opening to dialogue and reflection. My approach is not medical moving away from any pathological labels while being knowledgeable and clinically experienced working within such systems. I intend to develop a professional, human and humane relationship, rather than an expert-patient one. My aim is to help you make your sense of your experiences: look at what is valuable and meaningful in your life, question certain beliefs that you may be taking for granted, and open to your possibilities and responsibilities in life. We would also look at your experiences of being restricted (e.g. time, health, age), as well as relevant expectations you or others might have of you. I would not tell you what to do but I would fully engage with you in order to help you better understand conflicts and dilemmas while exploring your possibilities for well-being, and I would be forward sometimes making suggestions, giving practical advice or sharing my opinion.

I would describe my approach as integrative and relational, informed by existential philosophy and mindfulness, and based on theories and techniques from certain therapeutic approaches (psychoanalysis, phenomenology, humanistic, CBT). As you would begin to notice how you view yourself and what patterns you might be repeating in your life, you could also realise that you have more choices in the way you live and relate. From my experience, understanding, awareness and insight are also promoted by looking at other personal experiences like dreams, fantasies, bodily senses and lifestyle (e.g. sleep, diet or work).


Is psychotherapy different from counselling?

Both terms overlap and can be used interchangeably, but you would get some different answers from different people. My view is that counselling can be shorter-term in comparison to psychotherapy which might be longer-term while exploring more complex personal experiences. There is a difference in terms of training though: Psychotherapists normally need to undergo longer and thorough training which includes studying psychological theories and philosophies, as well as counselling techniques, on the same professional level with counselling psychology.

 

 

“I take care of my flowers and my cats. And enjoy food. And that's living.”

Ursula Andress

 

 

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North London Counselling - Counselling and Psychotherapy in North and Central London

Leo Dolias  MA. ADEP. UKCP reg. MBACP accred.