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Hello. I’m Annie, a psychologist specialising in integrative therapy and an existentially-minded cognitive behavioural psychotherapist. But first and foremost, a fellow human being, thrown into the universe without having been asked and trying to make my way through this messy, amazing and strange thing we call life.

I have over 30 years of experience in the field of adult mental health and have worked in NHS, charity sector and criminal justice settings. My primary trainings are in cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment-based therapies, but I have also completed training in compassion-focused, psychoanalytic, Gestalt, existential, transactional analysis and person-centred counselling approaches, as well as training in working with long-term health conditions. 

I think the most important element in psychotherapy is the relationship between client and therapist. To that end, I work to provide a warm and safe supportive space in which you can explore the issues of concern to you, understand them better and work out how to move forward when you are ready to do so.

I am passionate about helping people discover their own sense of purpose, working out how to live an authentic, full, meaningful life, as well as tackling the factors which are contributing to the persistence of overwhelming distress.

In terms of problems which may be causing you distress, I am experienced in working with a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety
  
• Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
• Depression
  
• Emotional regulation problems
  
• Existential issues
  
• Forensic issues
  
• Health anxiety
  
• Interpersonal problems
  
• Intrusive thoughts
  
• Long term health conditions
  
• Low self esteem
  
• Menopause
  
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  
• Occupational stress
  
• Panic Disorder
  
• Phobias
  
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
• Problematic sexual behaviour
  
• Social anxiety
  

In addition to addressing any specific debilitating symptoms you may be experiencing, I aim to facilitate wider curiosity in our ways of being in the world. This involves looking at the barriers we may experience in finding the life we want for ourselves in the longer term, including the ones we create within ourselves, as well as the challenges we may face entirely not of our own making. These may include others’ behaviour towards us and features of the society and era in which we find ourselves. I believe it is important to recognise that our challenges do not happen in isolation but rather exist in a wider context. How we choose to engage with and respond to these challenges can be the key to moving forward. 

Initial 30-minute consultations are free. I will spend time gaining an understanding of what has brought you to therapy and how you would like things to be different. I will share my thoughts on what approaches I may be able to offer you and seek your views on which may be a good match for how you would like us to work together. If I do not think I am a suitable match for you I will tell you so and offer alternative suggestions.