Meet The Team

Director

Dr. Eva Coleman

I am a UKCP registered, psychoanalytic psychotherapist, with forty years of experience in the field. I worked in private practice, as well as a medium secure hospital, providing consultation and therapy for those with severe personality and mental health difficulties.
I set up and directed a counselling service for women in Brighton and Hove ( Threshold Women’s Counselling). More recently, I set up Brighton Therapy Centre, and was Clinical Director there for seven years.

I have been a member of an advanced, in-service practitioner training group for over twenty years . I have taught aspects of counselling and therapy and supervised those in practice. I have been a consultant and advisor to a number of local and national organisations.

I am not currently offering ongoing therapy , but I do offer consultations.

In addition to all of this, I am also a Trustee at ONCA, a Brighton based Arts Charity, that bridges social and environmental justice issues with creativity.

Mel Bates

I am a qualified Arts Therapist (1996), Creative Arts Supervisor (C.A.S.T., 2005) and Systemic Practitioner (Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, 2011) working in private practice with adults and children, as well as providing clinical supervision for psychotherapists, counsellors, drama, music, play and integrative arts therapists.  Over the years I have developed an interest in, and have gained further training in Attachment Theory, Working with Trauma and more recently, Infant Observation.

I am registered with the HCPC and a member of BADTH. I am a student member of the BPC.

Prior to working in private practice I was therapist at Respond, a charity specialising in psychotherapy for children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse and trauma.  Previous to this I managed the Chrysalis Project, a therapy service for children affected by their family’s substance misuse.  I worked for Threshold Women’s Mental Health Drop-in Service as their Development worker and have extensive experience in working in schools and community settings. For several years, I supervised students on the Dramatherapy MA at Central School of Speech and Drama, London.

My experience has taught me that using creative arts methods can often offer helpful ways for a person to express their emotional lives and gain insight and understanding into their experiences and relationships. There is the opportunity to work with Sand tray, Improvisation, Working with symbols and metaphor, Puppets, Movement, Art-making, Working with myths and stories and Role-play. Sessions are client-led and there is no expectation to work in a particular way.

Zoë Boden-Stuart

I am a Gestalt Psychotherapist, having completed my training at the Gestalt Centre, London. I have seven years’ practice experience working with adults in IAPT, community therapy, women’s services and private practice.

I am also an academic psychologist specialising in relational and emotional experience in the context of mental health. My PhD explored guilt and interpersonal relationships. Prior to this, I trained as a contemporary dancer and worked within the performing arts industry. My arts and psychology backgrounds inform my psychotherapy practice.

I see therapy as a process of increasing awareness, self-acceptance and freedom through creative exploration. Together we can look at whatever patterns are occurring in your life and the feelings that arise around them. Gestalt focuses on what is happening ‘here-and-now’, but that doesn’t mean I will ignore what has happened to you in the past, or your hopes and fears for the future. I am interested in you as a whole person.

How you and I work together will be a process of discovery, but I find creative approaches, such as drawing and movement, can support some people to get to know themselves and their dilemmas.

I work with many types of distress, but I have particular strengths in working with anxiety, panic, developmental and sexual trauma (i.e. abuse, neglect, sexual violence) and a range of relationship and identity issues, including exploration of gender and sexual identity. I have also worked with clients who have mental health diagnoses and/or experienced substance misuse. I work inclusively, acknowledging and welcoming our similarities and differences.

I meet clients weekly at a fixed time for 50 minute sessions. I will either work on a long-term agreement (usually starting with one year) or for Brief Gestalt Therapy for 12 or 16 weeks.

Dee Churchfield

I am a Person-Centred Counsellor with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling; offering long or short-term counselling with adults.  I previously trained as a Hypnotherapist and have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Hypno-psychotherapy.

As a Person-Centred Counsellor I offer a confidential and safe space in which you can explore any difficulties you may be experiencing.  I believe that within a therapeutic relationship in which you feel heard and not judged, you can gain self-awareness and understanding. This will enable you to trust  in yourself, gain  self-confidence, new perspective and make changes.

I provide a calm, supportive place where we can work together, at your pace, to work on any issues you would like to bring to the sessions.

I work in a residential children’s home; supporting young people who experience a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties.  We work within a holistic framework which reflects the person centred philosophy of meeting and accepting the young person where they are; building self-esteem, resilience and supporting them to make positive choices.

I spent over 20 years in the film industry in a role that required discretion and understanding. It was important to be able to connect and work collaboratively, and I enjoyed working with people from all walks of life. My work included mentoring trainees and I enjoyed helping them to learn and build confidence.

I am a registered member of BACP, and I adhere to their ethical framework.

Katie Dennis

I am an experienced Integrative therapeutic counsellor, a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a qualified Supervisor. I also offer EMDR, where appropriate, as part of my practice. I work with adults, children and young people.

I have a wide range of experience of working with bereavement and life limiting illness from my time working in Hospice care and I am a BUPA registered therapist.

I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety disorders, loss and bereavement, depression, self-esteem and loss of confidence, addiction, trauma and phobias. I support people living with chronic and acute conditions.

I am an LGBTQ Affirmative therapist.

I offer afternoon and evening appointments.

My fees range from £55 to £75, and I can also offer a reduced rate for those less able to pay full fees.

Rachael McKeown

Counselling is an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of yourself which can increase the sense of freedom and control in your life. I offer clients a space to think deeply about themselves and their relationships in an open and supportive way.

As a psychodynamic counsellor, I am particularly interested in patterns of relating and feelings of which you might be unaware. These patterns and feelings often have roots in the past and within our sessions we will explore how past experiences are affecting the present.

I work with a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement and relationship problems which can be felt differently for different people. It might be that you have a harshly critical internal voice that leaves you feeling worthless. You may be experiencing an overwhelming sense of loss or panic, or concerned you are cut off from your own feelings.

I have been a practicing counsellor since 2016 in both private practice and the charitable sector. I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am a Cambridge graduate and hold a further degree in psychology.

www.spacetotalk.uk

Jacqui Paterson

I am a registered member of BACP, qualified both as a Person Centred Counsellor and as a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Practitioner. I offer both short term and longer term therapy, adapting my approach to suit the needs of individual clients. I work with a broad range of common presenting difficulties including depression, anxiety & panic, low self esteem, anger, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, substance misuse, issues around sex and sexuality and work related issues. I also specialise in working with clients with more complex needs including complex trauma and a diagnosis of personality disorder.

I have a particular interest in working with clients with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). My expertise in this area has been gained through more than 17 years experience in both community and inpatient settings. During this time, I have worked with EUPD clients both individually and as a group facilitator for programmes which have included skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.  I have also provided training to staff in secure settings in relation to working with clients who self harm.

At Phoenix Therapy Practice I am a member of the DBT team which offers the full DBT programme.  I facilitate the skills group and offer individual DBT.

I work in an empathic and non-judgemental way, aiming to empower my clients to find their own way of working through difficulties and discomfort and to facilitate them in the process of finding both acceptance and change within their lives.

Caroline Schofield

I have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 1987 after completing a training in Humanistic Psychotherapy. In 1989 I became accredited with The British Association for Counselling (BAC) and in 2000 I became a Senior Accredited Psychotherapist with The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).

I have also done some analytical training with The British Association for Psychotherapy (BAP) where I was part of the Jungian stream for the training in Individual Psychotherapy with Adults.

My background is in mental health work in Social Services, Psychiatric and Voluntary Sector settings. Alongside this work I have first trained and then practiced Psychotherapy over a number of years. A substantial element of both the Humanistic and Analytic trainings is the requirement that the trainee be in therapy for the duration of study.

I have regular supervision of my case load and work to the BACP Code of Ethics.

My approach is psychodynamic and my orientation is Jungian, which means that I am interested in the relationships between people and their worlds, both inner and outer. I am also interested in how we find meaning in our lives in both a small and a larger sense.

Most of us experience anxiety or depression at some stage in our lives or we need to come to terms with emotional pain or disappointment. Often we can resolve this without outside help. Sometimes, however, the difficulties persist causing unhappiness at home and at work. This may be because current difficulties are stirring up feelings from the past of which we are unaware.

Psychotherapy can help individuals to understand hidden aspects of themselves by talking over a period of time in a reliable setting with a trained and experienced therapist.

The time together with the therapist provides a space for reflection. Whatever is foremost in the individual’s mind is brought to the session – maybe in the form of feelings, thoughts, memories, or dreams. The therapist listens and helps the individual to reach a deeper understanding of themselves, opening the way to change.

As the relationship with the therapist develops along with a sense of trust, the individual discovers new insights and then more appropriate ways of coping with problems and feelings can be found.

Sessions are usually held weekly so as to give as much continuity and support as possible.

Nadia Townsend

I’m a psychodynamic psychotherapist , having originally completed a rigorous 4 year training at WPF Therapy. I work in full time practice, in Brighton and London and I have considerable experience of working with people with a broad range of issues. I am a fully accredited member of the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council) and the FPC (Foundation for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

I offer a space in which to explore whatever it is that you feel is causing you difficulty. We are none of us immune from suffering – you may have been struggling for a long time or perhaps a recent crisis has caused you to look for therapy. Whatever the reason, psychotherapy sessions can provide you with a crucial opportunity to process and reflect on struggles, think about relational patterns that might be unhelpful and explore how past experiences could be having an impact on the present day. You may have had previous experience of counselling or psychotherapy or this might be entirely new to you; psychodynamic work can be painful and take time, requiring courage to think about feelings that you may have tried to avoid for a long time. However, it can also provide enormous relief to find the safe and ongoing support with which to understand yourself better and start to change your relationship with yourself and others.

My usual fee is £60 but I can offer a reduced fee depending on your circumstances.

Julia Wright

I am a UKCP registered psychotherapist with more than 18 years of experience in psychotherapy and mental health. I have worked with and welcome a diverse client group and aim in my practice to establish a non judgemental and safe environment in which exploration can happen.

I also work as a trainer and have been training psychotherapists and counsellors for 10 years. My current teaching post is on the MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Gestalt centre London. In my private practice I work with individuals, couples and groups and I also offer supervision.

I have an arts background as well as experience in mental health services and for many years I worked in and managed a Mind/NHS therapy service. People who accessed this service came with many different mental and emotional health concerns including (and this list is not exhaustive) depression, trauma, loss, identity, anxiety (including work ,performance and social anxiety), insomnia, eating disorders, mental illness, anger management  and relationship issues.

In my clinical experience, the many possible symptoms of distress including those above can be effectively made sense of within a therapeutic relationship. I have witnessed the people I work with moving toward a sense of belonging in their own lives, a greater sense of being at home as well as an experience of autonomy and support. Sometimes beginning to work through and understand the difficult events of the past leads to greater understanding about current life situations and struggles. And in turn this can enable greater awareness of choices made in the present.

My psychotherapy training was in Gestalt therapy which is holistic and integrative and is an approach that originally developed from psychoanalysis. In Gestalt therapy there is an emphasis on meeting you where you are now and through a mixture of support and challenge facilitating a process of self discovery and growth. There is also an understanding in Gestalt therapy that mind and body are not separate and that much can be gained from investigating the felt experience of the body. Although working in this way is not the only option for a Gestalt therapist, sometimes emotions and past traumas can be held out of awareness in the body and by exploring this, emotional, psychological and physical blocks may become less fixed.

If you would like to find out more about working with me I suggest an initial consultation. Starting therapy can sometimes feel a bit daunting so this initial meeting can support you to find out a bit more about me and the process before you decide if it is the right step for you at the current time

My practice is based in Hove, Brighton and London. I am registered with the UKCP and work in line with their Code of Ethics.

My academic and professional qualifications are as follows;

• BA hons, Fine Art, Trent Polytechnic
• Post Graduate Diploma, Gestalt Psychotherapy, The Gestalt Centre London
• MA, Gestalt Individual and Group Psychotherapy, The Gestalt Centre London

Dave Jordan

I am a BACP registered humanistic counsellor and am currently studying for a Masters in Psychotherapy at Brighton University.

The Humanistic approach holds an optimistic view of human beings and places great emphasis on the capacity for healing and growth as being primarily within the client themselves. Humanistic therapy helps clients to discover what is important to them and what is not and through this deeper sense of meaning helps them make better and more informed choices. It looks to assist clients in living authentically in accordance with their values, aspirations and limitations and in assuming an active role in their growth. It helps clients to navigate, explore and make sense of what it means to be human.

My belief is that we all have the resources needed to heal and make changes in our emotional wellbeing. I provide a down to earth counselling style for people who feel they need support to explore themselves or simply a need to be witnessed and heard. I offer the opportunity to talk openly in a trusted, confidential and safe environment.

I am a registered member of the BACP and adhere to their ethical framework.

Alice Reid

I am a qualified psychodynamic counsellor. I am registered with the BACP and abide by their code of ethics. I can offer long or short-term counselling and am able to offer counselling at a reduced cost depending on circumstance.

Prior to beginning my training as a counsellor, I trained as a professional youth worker and have spent over 10 years supporting young people and their families who were facing challenging and traumatic circumstances. I specialised in working with sexual exploitation in children, young people and young adults and continue to work in this area alongside my counselling work. Additionally, I have an MA in Gender, Violence and Conflict which has served to deepen my theoretical understanding of historical and cultural discourses around gender and violence. During this time, I undertook research about the experiences of people with endometriosis.

I am an LGBTQ+ inclusive counsellor and as such work with an affirmative approach.

I can offer you a safe, confidential, and respectful space for you to begin to explore difficulties you may be experiencing. Psychodynamic counselling offers the idea that our unconscious internal worlds are key in how we relate to others in the world and often we unconsciously form patterns in these relationships which can be repeated. Psychodynamic counselling aims to help you uncover these patterns and become aware of what may be happening for you beneath the surface.

It may feel daunting to access counselling, these feelings are very understandable. It is key to recognise the importance of the relationship between client and counsellor, and how trust is a big part of this process. It is okay to need some time to build trust and I aim to give you the space and time to build this trust at your own pace.

Elena Gualtieri

I am a senior trainee in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Guild of Psychotherapists in London and am registered with UKCP. As a trainee I can offer reduced rates. I offer therapy in English and Italian. My background is in teaching, research and management in the University sector, both in the UK and abroad. I have experience of migrating and settling in different countries and cultures and an understanding of the significant personal challenges migration brings.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy works on the premise that there is more to be known about ourselves than we think, which may feel scary initially, but can also be a source of growth, change and renewal. I think of psychotherapy as a collaborative process, a conversation that is different from everyday conversations, but still recognizable as such. I have worked with people who suffered from depression, anxiety, self-harm, chronic illness, bereavement. You may come to therapy with a specific issue that you want to address; or as often happens you may not have a name for what it is that afflicts you. I work on the principle that by listening to you attentively and with empathy together we can find words for your difficulties, and a way through them.

Lorraine Butcher

I am a senior accredited counsellor and accredited supervisor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work with young people and adults.

I have been practising as a therapeutic counsellor for over 30 years since qualifying in 1992.  I am an integrative counsellor drawing significantly on person centred and solution focussed approaches.

In my work I aim to provide an environment where you can safely explore and discover more about yourself both in relation to the difficulties you are experiencing, as well as the resources that you have and can develop further, in order to better manage or change your situation.

I understand that seeking help can feel like a big step to take and how important it is therefore to build a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, understanding, respect, and honesty. It is important to me that I provide a space where you can be yourself and that we work at a pace that is right for you.

Alongside my private practice I have worked in a variety of settings in charitable, education and social care settings which have afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.

I work with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, transitions, trauma, loss, bereavement, anger, sexuality, gender questioning, relationships, identity, the experience of being a Carer, disability, and illness.

My fees are £60 per session and sessions are 50 minutes long

Melanie Barnard

I am a BACP registered integrative therapist, having completed my training in 2001.

I have many years of experience working in women’s services, trauma services and private practice which has included being clinical lead at 2 local counselling charities. 

As an integrative therapist, I draw on the methods and perspectives of a number of different schools of counselling and psychotherapy and understand that life can at times be overwhelming. 

When our lives seem disorganised it can appear challenging to see a clear path toward positive change. My aim is to create a safe, compassionate and supportive environment for clients to talk about feelings that may be troubling them with a view to fostering autonomy and change. Through awareness, an integrative approach helps to create a healthy alliance between mind and body – empowering clients to start setting goals and practising new behaviours that will enable them to move beyond their limitations and discover greater life satisfaction.  

I work with a broad range of issues including low self-esteem, stress, and relationship problems, families struggling with separation or divorce, unresolved childhood issues and trauma in both short and long term arrangements. 

Monika Stachyra

I am a trauma informed qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor  I believe therapy is about creating a safe and supportive space for exploring life transitions and challenges. The relationship with clients I aim for is based on collaboration and trust, which is an important vehicle for repair, grieving, learning and experimenting with what is new and possible.

My practice is underpinned by Transactional Analysis, which is an accessible approach that allows people to understand themselves and how they relate to others. As children and throughout life, we learn to behave and feel in certain ways, whilst these patterns are necessary to survive initially, they may get stuck in repeating similar relationships and situations. Therapy supports awareness, adaptation and letting go of what is no longer helpful. 

I integrate my core theoretical framework with other techniques and creativity so the process is flexible and allows for what can be difficult and unspoken to emerge. The client’s empowerment and consent are the key principles of my work.

The therapeutic process may encompass a wide range of issues, and the goal of our work can be focused on:

• exploration (e.g. I want to explore how loss/trauma affected my life)
• dealing with a specific issue (e.g. I want to deal with stress better)
• a clarification (e.g. I want to understand my relationships)
• development (e.g. I want to lead a more meaningful life)

My training and experience:

As a therapist I have been passionately involved in additional training, particularly in relation to attachment issues, trauma, body process and creative work.  I also undertake in-depth supervision to support my learning and development as a practitioner.

My background, prior to becoming a counsellor, is in the voluntary sector. I have worked with helping professionals and mental health practitioners in the NHS for the last 10 years. This experience, as well as my work as an interpreter in my earlier career, have given me invaluable understanding and compassion for people experiencing psychological difficulties and the circumstances in which they occur.

I hold:

• Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
• Diploma in Transactional Analysis Practice
• MSc Sociology
• MA Culture Studies (on sabbatical leave)

Flora Berkeley

I’m a trainee Integrative Psychotherapist, working towards a combined Advanced Diploma and Master’s Degree, at The Minster Centre in London.

I have a warm and open approach to therapy, and offer a safe, non-judgemental, and compassionate space. Foremost, my approach is relational: I believe that the relationship we build together is key in enabling us to make sense of and move through whatever it is that you face.

I’m not fixed in one perspective, and I don’t believe in one truth; I see human experience as being more unique and mysterious than any one theory can contain. As an Integrative practitioner I draw from a broad theoretical and experiential basis in order to support you in such a way that holds meaning and resonance for you.

I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework For Good Practice, and I’m committed to co-creating anti-oppressive and non-judgemental relationships with people from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, facing a broad variety of issues. These include: childhood and adult trauma, relationship difficulties, abuse, depression, loss and bereavement, physical disability and illness, low self-esteem and anxiety, difficulties around sexuality and sexual orientation, challenges around identity and cultural belonging, issues around gender and gender identity, and issues surrounding neurodiversity.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in documentary, during this time I collaborated extensively with people from marginalised communities, who had experienced severe trauma. I am adept at building relationships in the presence of great difficulty or suffering.

I consider that mental health problems and neurodiversity may cause people to be disabled in ways that are not visible, and I’m sensitive to the oppressions that you may face because of this. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirmative.

Fiona Paterson

I have a Degree in Psychology from Durham University and a Masters in Forensic Psychology from Leicester University, and I am a trainee Humanistic therapist studying at the University of Brighton.

I understand that we are all unique individuals on our own personal journeys through life. I can provide you with a supportive, non-judgemental, safe space to help you navigate any challenges you are dealing with. My own wealth of life experiences have shaped the therapist I am, and my own exploration of therapy has enabled me to appreciate how empowering therapy can be and the importance of a good therapeutic relationship between the client and counsellor. Deciding to undertake counselling can be a big step, and having the right connection with your therapist is so important. It can take your time to find the right person for you.

I have experience of working in a range of settings with diverse people from different walks of life. I was in the police for nearly 20 years working with discretion so I understand the importance of confidentiality and discretion.  I provided non-judgemental, compassionate support to everyone involved in crime and those who had experienced trauma, allowing them to have a voice.  I have also volunteered for Cancer Research and YMCA, and currently sit on a steering group acting as an advisor for ‘Make Good Trouble’ who support young people to build self-esteem and resilience.

I undertake regular supervision and am a student member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and abide by their code of ethics.

Amy Kavanagh

I am a BACP registered psychotherapist, experienced working with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. My special interests include developmental trauma, attachment, abuse, bereavement, loss, anxiety and depression.

As an integrative Psychotherapist I draw on Psychodynamic and Humanistic theories, as well as evidence-based approaches such as CBT.

My work is underpinned by the belief that people are best able to make sense of how their past experiences may be impacting on their present lives when they feel seen and heard within a respectful therapeutic relationship. As such, I provide a safe and supportive space in which people can explore their emotional difficulties, identify any patterns, and draw on their strengths in order to diminish their psychological suffering and move forward in their lives.

I have an MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling from Regents University London, and I am working towards UKCP accreditation.

Clare Gannaway

I am a reflective, compassionate and analytically-minded practitioner who is capable of creating effective therapeutic relationships. As a newly qualified psychodynamic therapist, I am able to offer counselling at reduced rates.

Increasing awareness of your inner world and its relationship with both your past and your present can allow greater fulfilment and meaning in your life. I provide a safe, secure space for you to bring whatever is troubling or challenging you, where you can feel seen and heard, without fear or judgment. You will have the opportunity to reflect on and explore earlier life experiences and emotions, which affect your current behaviour and relationships, in a way that might not be otherwise possible. As a dynamic and effective communicator, I can enable you to create powerful, reframing life narratives.

I have a wealth of life and professional experience which have made me the person and therapist I am today. My work with adolescents and young adults in an educational setting for the past two decades has given me a deep understanding and insight into the huge significance family, community and society play in shaping relational and behavioural patterns.

I am especially interested in the complex dynamics of family relationships.

Eurik Gilar

I am a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, a member of AGIP / CPJA-UKCP and a BACP-accredited psychodynamic counsellor. My background is diverse and includes an experiential and adventure education degree. I believe we all learn from experience and that learning and personal development, as well as healing and recovering from past hurt and trauma, is a life-long process. This process can be facilitated, encouraged and even re-started (when we get stuck on the way) through psychotherapy.

I have experience in helping clients with a wide range of issues, including various forms of anxiety, depression, trauma and bereavement and also issues around sexuality, gender identity and relationships.

My approach is suitable for adults of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. I am LGBTQ+ identified and have experience in working with trans, queer and non-binary clients. I have a good understanding of polyamory, kink and other alternative lifestyle choices. My approach is in line with up-to-date research, inclusive and affirmative.

I am bilingual and practice in English and Czech.

http://www.gilarcounselling.uk

Kirstine Howe

I’m a qualified, BACP registered, integrative counsellor where my core theory is person centred. I work holistically by blending different theory approaches according to what you need.

Through my own experience, I know that beginning counselling can be a daunting prospect, so my aim is to warmly support you by offering a secure, non-judgemental, confidential space for you to explore difficult thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

I have experience working with bereavement, anxiety, sexual assault, depression, grief, sexuality, self-esteem, and relationship issues.

I can work short or long term, and I have regular supervision.

Marie Larkin MBACP (Accred), MSc., Pg Dip.

I am a BACP Registered Accredited Practitioner with over 20 years experience as an Integrative Counsellor/Psychotherapist and workshop/support group facilitator.  An “integrative” way of working means that I tailor how I work according to individual clients’ needs.  I have trained in, and draw upon:

• Psychodynamic
• Humanistic
• Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Therapeutic Creative Writing

I work with adults from all walks of life and backgrounds and have a particular interest in:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Self Esteem/Confidence
• Loss/Bereavement
• Work Issues
• Cultural/Ethnic Identity
• Relationships/Family (including family estrangement)
• Menopause/Hormonal Effects on Emotional Wellbeing
• Life Changes
• Creativity
• Student Counsellors
• Emotional Support for Healthcare Workers
• BUPA & AVIVA registered

At the heart of my practice is a commitment to professionalism and ethical standards, alongside a passion for ongoing learning and development in my respective fields .I believe that words, be they spoken or written, are the pathways to greater understanding of ourselves and those around us. My aim, in all aspects of my work, is to help clients find their voice and gain greater clarity about who they are, where they are going and where they might have got stuck.

For further information, including qualifications, see www.marielarkin.uk

Jules Mercy  PG Dip Psychodynamic Counselling, BACP Registered, Relational Supervision

I have been qualified for 20 years, working with adults,long and short term. I have worked in generic therapeutic clinics, as well as specialist charity services concerned with all kinds of  abuse and also in the field of addictions. I was the founder and clinical lead for the counselling services at Brighton Women’s Centre, supporting women with multple disadvantages from 2006-16.

I offer Relational Supervision, drawing from Psychoanalytic and Humanistic schools for counsellors and psychotherapists.

I work from an understanding that our childhood relationships and experiences are  the roots of our difficulties, inform our understandings of ourselves and  draw us into relational patterns, dynamics and problems that can be life limiting.

I have experience in working with a wide range of difficulties or symptoms of distress including anxiety, depression, addictions, difficulties in relationships or work.I also have experience working with more  entrenched and chronic trauma such as shame, attachment difficulties, adoption and early losses which have impacted on growth and self esteem and the very core of ones selfhood. From my experience people tend to want to feel content, have meaningful lives with authenticity, joy and vigour but often struggle to reach these places due to a tangle of experiences and conditions that are still unfelt, unknown or unshared but still holding sway internally. When someone walks through my door I understand you as somehow being blocked in growing into who you are and meant to be rather than being ill. I see the mental and physical symptoms or problems being the psyche’s best effort to manage some deeper situation which needs exploration and be worked through.

Sometimes the work can be short term to find clarity or to navigate a defined problem whilst some people may choose a longer process of self discovery. I have much experience in working with issues concerning gender, sexuality, cultural differences, and the impact of othering and oppression. I am interested in identity and belonging, differences and uniqueness and also the things common that humans share such as uncertainty and losses of all kinds. I integrate western with eastern understandings and practices when helpful.

Maz Michael (they/them) MBACP Accredited

I have been a qualified and practising therapist since 2009. I am formally trained in Humanistic, CBT approach, DBT and EMDR approaches. I am also a qualified teacher of Mindfulness. I am especially interested in mindfulness as a potentially useful tool for marginalised communities since such communities may experience external inequalities, for example,  targeted violence/discrimination/micro-aggressions and internal distress, for example, because of having to hide parts of oneself.

I typically work eclectically, drawing from a number of my therapeutic trainings although I can work exclusively in a single modality. I work with each client to find out which approach would be the most helpful. I work short, medium and long term; again this is determined on an individual basis. I work with many issues such as: panic, generalised anxiety, depression, self-esteem, bereavement etc.

I have a particular interest and experience in working with trans/non-binary identifying/inquisitive clients as well as clients who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Pansexual and I work in an entirely non-pathologising, exploratory and affirmative way.

My fees are somewhat flexible depending on client income and are discussed and agreed on an individual basis.

Vicky Le Beau

I am a trainee psychoanalytic psychotherapist with the British Psychotherapy Foundation, and as such, I am able to provide therapy at reduced fees. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a process of exploration, undertaken by the therapist and patient who meet regularly at least once a week for 50 minutes; treatment is usually open-ended. You are encouraged to reflect on feelings, thoughts, wishes, fears, memories, dreams – whatever is uppermost in your mind. In this way, we work together to understand the difficulties that have brought you into therapy. This is a gradual process that takes time, commitment and effort.

Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy have often been viewed as ‘exclusive’ forms of therapy, and sometimes difficult to access. My practice is attentive to issues of difference – be they of class, ethnicity, sexuality. I am also an elected Scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council with particular interests in exploring these issues further within the profession.

Dr. Lydia Rainford

I am a qualified psychoanalytic psychotherapist. After working in academic and pastoral roles in the university sector, I completed the clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Guild of Psychotherapists in London. I am a Member of the Guild of Psychotherapists and a registered member of the UKCP. I have worked as a psychotherapist in clinics, charities and private practice since 2012.

I have experience of working with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, identity issues, relationship problems, eating disorders and illness. I take care to attend to the specific problems and history of each person beyond and in relation to mental health diagnoses.

At the heart of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is the recognition that our complex and often unconscious emotional life is fundamental to how we live in the world, and to our health and wellbeing. My sessions aim to build a stable, confidential space, where current emotional difficulties can be explored, and where strictures and repetitions in the client’s ways of being and relating to others might be realised, unravelled and experienced differently. Psychoanalytic treatment can significantly diminish psychological suffering and bring about lasting change.

Rachel Singh

I am a BACP accredited counsellor and hold an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Therapy from CPPD (UK). Since qualifying as a counsellor, 5 years ago I have worked for mental health services in Sussex. In 2016, I attended the British Isles Dialetical Behavioural Therapy training and now form part of the DBT Sussex team.

I began my career in the field of autism spectrum conditions over 15 years ago. Motivated by a desire to understand autistic peoples’ internal worlds and to help them feel more at ease into fitting into their local community. I have a particular interest in working with difference – cultural, gender and sexuality – and in attachment styles and anxieties,  stemming from childhood trauma and bereavement, autism spectrum conditions including Aspergers, ADHD, OCD and depression.

At Phoenix Therapy Practice I am a member of the DBT team which offers the full DBT programme.  I co-facilitate the skills group and offer individual DBT sessions which include pre-treatment and DBT informed counselling.

Paul Chantry

We often think that we can manage on our own, but there comes a point when we all need to reach out and seek support. Perhaps you feel anxious and stressed or wake up with a sense of dread? Perhaps you are finding life overwhelming, are feeling angry or withdrawn. Or perhaps you have a sense of sadness, hopelessness and despair.

Having someone to talk to who will listen, hear and understand how you are feeling without judgement, can really help you to explore your thoughts and feelings and move towards healing and growth.

If you’ve never had counselling before then finding the right therapist can be confusing and perhaps even a little bit intimidating. So it’s important that you take time to find the right therapist for you. Counselling is not about giving advice or telling you what you should or shouldn’t do. It’s about understanding your experience and feelings and working with you to find the right way forward. So it’s vital that you find someone who you feel that you can connect with.

I am a Humanistic Person-centred counsellor and a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and I have experience of helping people who suffer with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, low self-esteem, loss, dependency and childhood trauma. I meet clients weekly at a fixed time for 50 minute sessions and I can promise you a confidential, safe, non-judgemental space where you will be heard and understood.

Sian Jones

I am a Humanistic counsellor, with a post-graduate diploma from Brighton University, and am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I am a warm, compassionate person, and offer you a safe, down to earth, and non-judgemental space. Together, we can explore the meaning that you make of your lived experiences, going at a pace that feels right for you.

My practice is grounded in humanistic perspectives, mainly existential-phenomenological and somatic approaches, valuing the unique identity and experiences of each individual. My approach also prioritises the unique quality of each client-therapist relationship, and as such, I see counselling as something that we do together, building a relationship based on trust, understanding, and openness.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked as a Social Worker for over 12 years in many different settings, supporting children and families facing challenging circumstances and trauma, complex social issues, and disadvantage. I am also a qualified yoga teacher, and alongside teaching, I have established yoga projects within schools to support students to develop strategies to manage stress and anxiety and build confidence and self-esteem. I also currently work for a charity co-facilitating therapeutic groups for new parents. I use my training, experiences, and grounding in yoga to support an embodied approach to my practice, encouraging healing through self-awareness, and connection.

Natalie Woods

I am an Integrative therapeutic counsellor with 16 years experience of building trusting therapeutic relationships with people and providing a safe relational space where difficulties can be explored. It is this relationship between you and your counsellor that is so important in enabling you to get to know yourself better and reflect on the things you would like to do differently in your life and relationships. This relationship with me may bring to life relationship difficulties you are experiencing enabling them to be explored and worked through with me safely.

I have worked in a range of settings and my counselling work has brought me into contact with a wide range of people facing all sorts of difficulties including couples experiencing relationship difficulties, and I have worked extensively with LGBTQ individuals and couples. My own experiences of therapy have contributed to my ability to provide what can be a healing relationship to others. I am approachable and have the personal qualities that help people feel able to talk about their difficulties, although I understand that this can be difficult and I respect the client’s need to take their time with the counselling process.

In my couples counselling work I provide a supportive space helping the couple to understand each other better and explore the dynamics of their relationship, as well as enabling them to develop better communication and empathy for each other all of which can help with the ‘stuckness’ that can often be experienced in our relationships with others.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and am committed to my on-going personal and professional development. I am professional in my approach whilst being very human!

Mel Simmonds

I am a qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I offer a warm confidential space for you to safely explore thoughts and feelings which may feel difficult elsewhere. Emotional distress can be examined and made sense of, working at a pace which suits you. I have experience of working with a range of issues with a specialised area of loss and bereavement.

I am happy to take on both short and long term work and am able to offer reduced rates.

Psychodynamic counselling explores past relationships and experiences to look at how these may  influence both our internal and our external world today. Identifying patterns and behaviours which repeat and echo through our lives, a greater understanding of the self can be reached, one which enables us to lead a more fulfilled life.

I have a background in Fine Art / Fashion and worked in publishing for many years before retraining as a therapist.

I am a registered member of BACP and abide by their code of ethics.  I have regular supervision.

Kate Winter

I am a trainee Psychodynamic Counsellor studying at The University of Brighton and a student member of the BACP. I also have a degree in Sociology from The University of Warwick. I am available to work with clients on a long or short-term basis and, whilst still in training, am able to offer counselling at a reduced cost.

Throughout my career I have worked in a variety of settings including the Police Service, Survivors’ Network and privately as a Personal Trainer and Yoga Teacher. My interests therefore lie in working with those who have experienced trauma in all forms, whether in early years, adult life or both. I am particularly interested in using the psychodynamic approach in a way that is inclusive, creative and tailored towards the particular needs of the client in any given moment.

Psychodynamic counselling is based on the premise that unconscious thoughts and beliefs developed in infancy are at the root of our experiences as adults. As a result, we may find ourselves developing particular defences and repeating patterns in relationships with others. The aim of Psychodynamic counselling is therefore to bring what is unconscious into consciousness in a safe and supportive environment. Through doing so, the client can explore alternative ways of being in the world and bring about lasting change.

Stephanie West

I am a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in advanced training on the University of Exeter’s Doctor of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Clinical Practice programme, and am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I have an MSc in Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy) from the University of Exeter.

I meet with clients at least once a week for a fifty minute session, without a fixed number of sessions in mind. Open-ended work gives space and time to explore things as they arise and at a pace that feels manageable. Sometimes it is helpful to meet for a few sessions to get a feel for what it might be like to work together before deciding to embark on longer-term therapy. I also offer, where suitable, time-limited therapy.

I have a particular interest in, and experience of, working with those exploring their gender,  sexuality, and relationship diversity (GSRD).

Karen Macmillan

I am a qualified TA (Transactional Analysis) counsellor and counsel adults around a wide range of issues. These include: anxiety, family & relationship issues, depression, low self-esteem and boarding school trauma.  My role is to support you to find your own way through your difficulties while providing a safe, supportive and gently challenging relationship in which to find self-understanding, acceptance and change.  Where I feel it will be helpful, I share models, images and theory.

Inner change can happen at any point in our lives, when we are willing to take that first step.

“Start close in,
don’t take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.”

David Whyte, River Flow: New and Selected Poems

Boarding School Survivors:  For many ex-boarders the experience of being sent away to boarding school has a long lasting impact.  Some of the ways you adapted as a child to the school environment may have become problematic in your adult life now.  The privilege attached to private schools can make this difficult to acknowledge and talk about.  I have specialist training and experience in working with ex-boarders and can help you address issues arising from your boarding experience.

I offer both short and long term therapy.

I am a member of NCPS and UKATA, abide by their codes of ethics and am fully insured.

Ellie Johnson

Hello, I’m Ellie. I’m a trainee Integrative counsellor, specialising in Person-Centred therapy, CBT and Gestalt therapy, and am a student member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. I’ve previously worked as a trainee counsellor with the NHS, and have also worked in the corporate sector for 7 years. My background in this work has given me an appreciation and understanding for those struggling to navigate difficult work environments.

The core of my work centres on the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor, which is an important part of the client feeling fully heard through a non-judgemental and trusting space. My integrative training allows the work to be tailored around the individual needs of the client, bringing in different modalities based on the uniqueness of each client.

As a trainee I am able to offer reduced rates for weekly 50-minute sessions.

Eilidh Horder

I am a UKCP registered trainee psychotherapist. Having completed an Intensive Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I am continuing my training at Regent’s University, London.

People come to therapy for many reasons and walking through the door for the first time can be a brave step in itself. With an empathic ear, I offer a non-judgemental and consistent space. Together, we can explore any issues that may arise. Patterns of behaviour may come to light, perhaps behaviours that served a purpose in earlier life, but which are now harming rather than helping you.

You may arrive in therapy feeling confused, or not knowing what emotions you are feeling. Sitting with uncomfortable feelings and recognising that we are allowed to feel a spectrum of emotions – not just the ‘good’ ones – can be powerful. Sometimes we have to feel and express our difficult feelings to be able to heal and move forward, and I believe that therapy enables us to become more self-aware so we can recognise what may have been holding us back.

Access to therapy for all is important to me, and I work inclusively, with a strong belief that our differences enrich each other’s worlds.

I work with adults for weekly 50-minute sessions.

Amy Gilbrook

Hi, I’m Amy. I’m training in humanistic counselling and psychotherapy. I work with the belief that the relationship we create together may allow you to harness your own potential to find a way forward. Though there are aspects of our lives that we cannot change, we have a choice about how we manage the challenges we meet. Together we can explore your ways of relating to yourself, others and the world and how these may have been shaped by your past experiences and current circumstances. We can examine what still serves you and what may not, to move towards a way of being that is aligned with your values.

It can be a big step to seek and start counselling, so going at your own pace and finding the right therapist is all part of the process. I hope to allow you to explore what is going on for you with warmth, compassion and acceptance. Factors such as race, culture, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, social class and sexuality should not be barriers when seeking support and I see it as my responsibility to educate myself about the importance of these differences in relation to your experience. I am a student member of the BACP and adhere to their ethical framework.

I have a medical and acting background and from my varied experiences in these fields as well as my current training, I have come to see how our minds and bodies are intertwined but many aspects of modern life may disconnect them. Finding a way to reintegrate them, such as by bringing bodily sensations to our conscious awareness as we connect with our inner world can be part of the healing process.