Hello. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed or alone - struggling with something specific, or perhaps life in general - I'm an experienced Psychotherapist and Counsellor. I've worked for twenty-five years in mental health, both in the NHS and private sectors with adults of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, with many different issues. Perhaps I can help you.  

Why contact me - how can I help? 

It’s important to feel you can trust the person in whom you’re confiding, that you feel comfortable. My style is warm, relational, and non-judgemental. I aim to provide a safe, regular, confidential space where you can begin to share troubling or distressing thoughts and feelings.

Working together and led by you, my experience and professional training help us to explore, creatively, the difficulties you're facing. The process requires commitment and can be demanding, but over time I can help you to develop new insight and understanding of yourself, your relationships and the challenges that may be feeling overwhelming.

You'll begin to feel freer to make choices about how you interact with the world around you, more comfortable in your own skin, developing a more contented, fulfilled life.

What would a session be like? 

Sessions last fifty minutes, at the same time each week. You may want to come for a short, limited time, for a specific reason, or we can agree to open-ended therapy and review things as we go. Everyone is unique and finds their own pace. There is no agenda and no homework – you bring whatever feels important from one week to the next.

Our difficulties today often echo our experiences, ways of relating and coping from the past, so that old, deep-seated patterns that may have outgrown their use, can significantly affect us in the ‘here and now'. Working psychodynamically means that we may look below the surface problem, whilst also recognising that current difficulties really matter and need attention.

We may explore your relationships, experiences and struggles in daily life, as well as how things go between us as the therapy progresses.  Sometimes memories, free associations and dreams become important too - it's different for everyone.  

In safe hands.

Finding a therapist and arranging to meet can feel daunting - it's often a brave move to begin to talk about difficulties, perhaps for the first time. Or you may have benefited from help in the past, and feel you need some more. If you come to see me you'll be in safe hands.

After my first degree and many years later a Counselling qualification, I then trained for a further four years at WPF Therapy, one of the UK’s leading institutions for academic and clinical practice, and hold a postgraduate diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from Roehampton University. I practiced for many years within the WPF Therapy clinic in London, as well as in a Camden NHS Psychotherapy Department, and in private practice. I care deeply about my work and take seriously my own personal and professional development. Since qualifying, I've had further training in Jungian Adult Analysis at the SAP (Society of Analytical Psychology).

As a registered member of three professional bodies, I am committed to strict ethical codes and professional standards, and have regular supervision and full insurance. I am registered with the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council), the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and the FPC (Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling).

What happens when you contact me? 

It can take time to see if you feel comfortable with the way I work, and for me to decide if I can help. I’ll offer a first consultation of fifty minutes – sometimes we’ll agree to meet again, before we decide to commit to regular sessions. I aim to get to know you a little and to understand how things feel for you. If I don't think I'm the best person to work with you, I will always suggest other options. I can work with you for a short, limited time or open-ended - once weekly or more often. This can be agreed at the initial consultation, and is open to review by both of us. Sessions will be at the same time every week.

The location

You'll find me less than five minutes walk from West Hampstead tube, (Jubilee Line), West Hampstead Thameslink and West Hampstead Rail Station (London Overground). Buses 139, 328 and C11 stop a few minutes from the door. There is limited pay and display parking at the top and bottom of the road, and free parking before 8.30am and after 6.30pm. The room is comfortable and spacious, on the ground floor of a residential property, with a discreet entrance. There are four steps from the street to the main door.

If you think I may be able to help, please do give me a ring, text me, email me or use the contact form. If I can’t respond straight away, I’ll get back to you within two days, usually sooner.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Erica Newman

Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Phone: 07400 011 701

Email: [email protected]