Theresa Cookson

I’m a psychodynamic therapist with over twelve years of clinical experience across the NHS and private practice. Originally trained as a mental health nurse, I bring a grounded, steady presence to the work and a depth of experience in supporting people through emotional distress, complexity, and transition. The line you may have seen above from Goethe captures something central to how I work: the belief in a person’s capacity to grow when met with understanding, curiosity, and depth. It’s completely natural to feel unsure or hesitant when starting therapy — and just turning up is already a meaningful first step. In our first session we begin wherever you are. There’s no expectation to have everything worked out; instead, we create a space to explore what brings you here and to sense whether the work — and the therapeutic relationship — feels right for you. My approach is warm, relational, and rooted in psychodynamic thinking. Together we explore what lies beneath the surface: the feelings, patterns, and relational dynamics shaping how you live and relate today. At times, familiar themes or early experiences may emerge — even between us in the room. With my background in mental health nursing and experience in fast-moving, high-risk environments, I understand how internal states influence how we move through the world — in relationships, in work, in families, and in the more reflective parts of life. These pressures can lead to subtle trade-offs: managing expectations, containing emotion, or adapting to situations that don’t fully align with one’s values. Drawing on both psychodynamic psychotherapy and my clinical nursing experience, I support clients to look more deeply at what is happening beneath the surface, how early patterns reappear across different areas of life, and how to move towards a way of being that feels more aligned, steady, and authentically their own. If we decide to continue, we’ll meet weekly at an agreed time. This consistent frame supports deeper work to unfold, and at times the process may feel challenging. My role is to stay alongside you as we think about what emerges. Above all, our work happens within a therapeutic relationship that is safe, respectful, and containing — a space where all parts of you are welcome.