LGBTQ Sexual Issues therapy in London with Daniel Dennehy

07803 730 371
danieldennehycounselling@outlook.com

I work with people seeking support, often because no matter how hard they try, things are just not changing for them. Maybe they find themselves in similar relationships, reliving familiar dramas. Maybe they are unable to make friends or are unable to relax, be with people in a comfortable way. They might feel anxious, so avoid or procrastinate – they miss opportunities at work and in their lives.

Some people struggle to find balance – they’re working too hard or possibly burning the candle at both ends and are unable to keep things under control. Perhaps they are using alcohol, drugs, sex, food or shopping to comfort, soothe or ‘blank-out’ reality, but it’s coming at a cost.

Sometimes, despite all they have achieved, they are still unable to feel good about themselves. They struggle to feel worthy or deserving, and as a result miss opportunities or deny themselves pleasure because they’re not good enough yet.
They feel sad, unhappy, and dissatisfied with themselves with thoughts such as:

“I’ll go next time, when I’ve lost more weight.”
“If people really knew me, they wouldn’t like me.”
“Why can’t I be like everybody else?”
“I’m unattractive. No one will want me.”
“There’s something wrong with me.”

We can learn to be in the world in a particular way and come to believe that this is who we are and that this is what we have to accept and put up with. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If any of this resonates, please know you are not alone in feeling like this.

Counselling is not the answer in and of itself, but it is a powerful tool to support you and to help you to push through the familiar struggle. It can help you understand how you find yourself in these places and to consciously re-evaluate and experiment with approaching things differently. You can take action. It’s not all talk!

I believe we do have the capacity to change our lives. Even when at times it can feel that we are stuck or powerless.

This is why I became a therapist.

Psychotherapy & Counselling with Daniel Dennehy MBACP

I have spent many years working in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly with gay men. However everyone is welcome at my practice – it’s non judgmental, a safe space.

My experience includes working in sexual health clinics like 56 Dean Street, with outreach services and providing counselling at LGBT+ services such as London Friend and Helios. I have been in private practice for 7 years.

I’m an integrative therapist. This means I utilise more than one modality (type of therapy) to support you. All of us are unique and so I believe counselling and psychotherapy needs to be responsive to the individual. I utilise a number of psychotherapy models which emphasize different dimensions of the human experience. My practice is informed by theories of attachment, neuro-science, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), psycho –dynamic and humanistic therapies. These models work collaboratively to assist in understanding how our bodies work, the way in which our thoughts and behaviours impact our experiences, the influence of events from our past and the role of relationships in our lives. Importantly they provide different insights into the ways in which we can experience growth and improve the quality of our lives.

Counselling and psychotherapy are also practical. For change to happen, we need to do things differently. We need to make new choices. I encourage accessing other support, experimenting with new ways of being in the world, exploring new ways of being with ourselves and in the world.

I’ll finish with my favourite quote:

When we are no longer able to change a situation,
we are challenged to change ourselves.
Victor Frankl

Areas I work with:

Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity
Compulsive Sexual Behaviour
Bullying
Childhood Emotional Neglect
Addictions, Obsessions & Dependency
Anger Management & Conflict
Anxiety & panic attacks
Bereavement, grief & loss
Depression and mood swings
Family conflict and crisis issues
Intimacy issues
Life changes & transitions
Relationship issues and problems
Self-Esteem & Confidence
Sexual and or physical abuse in childhood
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Trauma

Areas of interest

What is Compulsive Sexual Behaviour?

Compulsive sexual behaviour, also referred to as sex addiction, is when a person has an intense need or focus on sexual fantasies, behaviours, and urges. This can include masturbation, digital/online sexual exchanges, pornography, sex with multiple partners or paying for sex.

When these urges or behaviours start to dominate and become out of control, they can have serious consequences and be harmful to the individual and other people. It can damage how a person feels about themself. It can generate a lot of shame and guilt, resulting in secret keeping that can further isolate a person from relationships and connections with the significant people in their lives. It can cause considerable damage to people’s families, careers, and finances.

A person with compulsive sexual behaviour may have attempted to reduce or stop the behaviour many times, but find that they are unable to control it, no matter how hard they try, and regardless of the consequences.

If you feel this resonates with your own experience, you may find it helpful to discuss this further.

Psychotherapy Qualifications and Training:

Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, CPPD
Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, CPPD
Diploma in Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (current study),CICS
Certificate in Counselling Skills – Mary Ward Centre
BA – Anthropology, University of Otago, New Zealand
DipGrad – Community and Family Studies, Otago University, New Zealand
Diploma in Compulsive Sexual Behaviour

BACP – Registered member

Professional Development Training Courses

Shame Containment Theory
Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate
Working with Complex Trauma – Safety and Stabilisation
Trauma and Recovery
Couples Counselling
Substance Use and Misuse
Time-limited Counselling
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Health and Social Care
Management and Care for Individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections
Psychiatry, Psychodynamics and Psychopathology
Introductory training courses in Cognitive Analytic and Systemic Therapies

As a qualified therapist and registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I adhere to their ethical guidelines and standards.