We all experience periods of struggle in our lives when we may feel lost, stuck, despondent or in despair.
People may seek therapy for a variety of reasons, however, it is my belief that the common drive is a deep desire for change and personal growth.
Everyone’s situation is unique but there are recurring themes, that clients often bring to therapy, and that might be what has triggered your search for a therapist:
Your relationships with others: partner, family, children, friends or work colleagues and these challenges may be anything from lack of intimacy, issues around trust, power struggles, feeling a sense of isolation, feeling you are stuck performing a set role.
Your negative thoughts and behaviour: This might be something very specific such as coping with an addiction or something less tangible such as feelings of low self-worth, shame, negative or intrusive thoughts.
A traumatic event, recent or in the past, that you are finding hard to process:: the loss of someone or something close or important to you, a violent or traumatic event in your life.
A need to explore yourself or to unravel an emotion or feeling that you think is holding you back: This might be anything from ‘what am I doing with my life’ to more specific questions around your sexuality or gender.
Whatever the reason I provide a supportive, comfortable, non-judgmental and empathic space, that will allow you to talk openly, and importantly, totally confidentially, about whatever issues, fears or concerns are impacting your emotional or psychological wellbeing at this time in your life.
Integrative Psychotherapy with Jude Conway
How can therapy help you?
Therapy offers you a space to explore your unresolved losses, unmet needs, and traumatic experiences that may impact your sense of well-being in the here and now. Exploring your feelings in this way can help to gain insight and a deeper awareness of the issues troubling you and the challenges you may be facing.
Through the process of therapy you can gain a greater self-understanding that will enable you to move forward and flourish in your life and relationships.
What to Expect?
Deciding to have therapy is a courageous step as it can mean addressing things that you may find painful or difficult to think about or discuss for the first time. I provide the emotional support that you need to help you through what may be a difficult time in your life.
As an integrative therapist I use a variety of different therapeutic approaches. What this means is that I adjust the type of therapy to the issues or needs that you have and arise during our therapy session. Working this way means that we fit the therapy to suit your needs and not the other way round.
The most important element of good therapy and one that is central to my approach is a key emphasis on the healing quality of a good therapeutic relationship.
I will listen and provide you with the space to explain and navigate the challenges that you face in your life. Then together we can explore the issue that is preventing you from living a healthy and authentic life, opening up the potential to deepen your relationship with yourself and others.
Your past and how this affects your present
I have a particular interest in relational-trauma, and how difficult experiences in childhood may impact our ability to form emotional bonds and empathic intimate relationships with other people later in life.
Individuals who find it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships may experience a sense of disconnection in addition to feelings of diminished self-worth and general distress, affecting their emotional well-being. The goal of therapy is to help you to understand how these behaviours are related to past experiences, and to support you to develop new healthier ones in the present.
Our First Session
This is an opportunity to discuss your reasons for choosing to engage in therapy at this point in your life. It also an opportunity for us to ‘try each other on for size’, for you to decide if I am the right person for you, if you engage with my style of working and how comfortable you feel – I believe that therapy is a collaborative process.
When the decision is made to proceed with therapy subsequent sessions will be 50 minutes and are scheduled at the same time every week to allow for continuity.
Areas I work with:
I have experience in working with a wide range of issues and difficulties including:
- Addictions
- Bereavement, grief & loss
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Depression
- Family dynamics
- Gender & sexuality
- Menopause & your emotions
- Relationship problems
- Parenting & the challenges of being a parent
- Self-esteem & self-worth
- Self harm
- Shame
- Stress & anxiety
- Trauma
Psychotherapy Qualifications and registration with Professional Organisations:
I have trained at The Minster Centre, which is a BACP accredited training institute in London. On completing their training over 5 years I gained a Diploma in Integrative Counselling, and I am currently working towards a Masters in Integrative Psychotherapy.
I have also completed a number of professional development training courses, which include:
- Working with Trauma
- Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Death & Bereavement
- Eating Disorders
- Self-harm & Suicide
- Gender, Sexuality & Relationship diversity
- Working with Adolescents
As well as private practice, I have worked for a low-cost therapy service in Notting Hill for more than 3 years.
I am a registered member of the BACP and adhere to their ethical guidelines and standards. I am committed to my professional development and I am in regular supervision.
A little more about me
After gaining a BA Hons degree in Fashion & Marketing I went on to have a successful career in fashion, which I gave up to care for my 2 children. I found this experience rewarding but challenging at times and entered into therapy. I often felt misunderstood in my interactions with my therapist, and I felt that they were unable to enter into my frame of reference, due to the divergence in our cultural and social backgrounds. This divergence prevented me from forming a deep psychological connection with my therapist.
On the back of failing to connect with a number of therapists, I decided to train as a psychotherapist, as I wanted to bridge the gap between what was perceived as an elitist profession and those from a wider diverse and cultural background.
Contact:
You can either call or email me. I’m happy to speak on the telephone about any concerns or questions you may have about the process.
Rates:
I work with adult individuals and my rate is £90 per 50 minute session.
Sessions:
Psychotherapy sessions at City Therapy Space:
Wednesday