As a psychodynamic therapist my approach acknowledges that there is more to ourselves than our conscious awareness. Our thinking, feelings, behaviours and actions are informed by our lifetime of experiences which are held within our unconscious mind. Unwittingly we develop defence mechanisms to keep these experiences from entering our conscious awareness particularly painful events and memories. These defences use up much energy protecting us and preventing us from confronting them; so much so they can exhaust us and wear us down. What’s more they impact our attitudes and how we think, feel, behave and act which we sometimes not altogether understand. This can leave us with more unwanted feelings. My therapeutic approach helps to understand and make sense of what is not understood and brings about understanding and inner contentment.
I trained with WPF Therapy a London training institution with a reputation for clinical and academic excellence. I hold a Post-graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Theory and Practice from the University of Roehampton. I am a member of the FPC (Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling) and BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and follow their strict ethical codes and professional standards of confidentiality and practice. I trained and worked as a Samaritan providing support to people distressed and in despair. I have provided counselling and coaching support to children in my local school. I provide counselling and psychotherapy to people across all areas of the community.
I offer an exploratory consultation which will last 90 minutes. I will invite you to talk about what brings you to therapy. It is understood that the nature of what you have to talk about might be difficult or uncomfortable to discuss. The consultation will enable me to consider how your difficulties are affecting you and discuss what therapy is best suited to your needs. The session will conclude with a recommendation of how best to proceed. It is important to point out that I provide a non-judgmental service and work in the strictest of confidence.
Phone: 07947 563305
Email: l.bernard1@me.com