Frances Read
Psychodynamic psychotherapistAbout Me
Warmth, creativity, empathy, integrity, and humour define my therapeutic practice.
I believe that therapy can, through helping you gain a greater understanding of yourself, give you the power of choice and ability to change. I work in an affirmative way to support personal growth and nurture a greater appreciation of the self.
Therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space to think, feel and understand your emotions, what they might be telling you, where they come from, and why they are still so powerful. I will work with you to bring things that might have been forgotten about into consciousness, think about how things that happened in your past may be affecting your life today, look for repeating patterns that may be stopping you reaching your goals, and understand your emotions and what they might be telling you.
It can be challenging and frustrating at times, and the thoughts and feelings it brings up can be very painful. As your therapist, I will be there with you to contain and explore any emotion you might experience.
Volunteering with Samaritans as a telephone and outreach volunteer for four years changed my perspective on life. I went back to study and graduated from Birkbeck, University of London, with a Masters in psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling. I started seeing patients with the NHS following two years as a volunteer counsellor at ELOP - the East London Out Project. In 2018 I started seeing people for private therapy.
I am interested in fairy tales, myths and legends. Archetypes and symbols are all around us. If a person can find their own vocabulary to talk about their feelings the power of talking therapy can be transformative.
I offer one-to-one short or long-term counselling and psychotherapy to adults from all backgrounds, across the gender spectrum, and with any sexual orientation and identity.
COVID-19 Information: I am currently working online only and will not be returning to in-person work before September 2020 at earliest. If we begin working together online, there will be an the option to move to in-person work when it feels appropriate to do so.
Issues often worked with
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
Fees are set at £50 for a 50-minute session.
Training and qualifications
MSc in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy - Birkbeck, University of London, 2015