Ondine Smulders
Existential psychotherapistAbout Me
Hello and welcome to my page. I wonder what brought you here. A sudden crisis or a feeling of being overwhelmed by life? Do you feel lost and without a sense of direction? Perhaps you are feeling low and this is seeping into your relationships, your quality of life, and your work? Isn't it time you felt a little better?
Whether you are struggling with stress, uncertainty, bereavement, depression, long term illness or are worried about work or your relationships, I am here to listen to your story in an attentive and respectful way. As a psychotherapist, I offer a safe and confidential setting to help you explore and clarify areas of your life where you are trying to gain some insight. No subject is off limits and I will not ask you to talk about anything you do not feel comfortable with nor will I tell you what to do.
In my work as an existential psychotherapist, I emphasise description and reflection over interpretation. I look at what is there rather than what I would like there to be. I will use our relationship to understand how you relate to yourself, others, and the world. I will stay open to any possibility. I do not have a set agenda or planned outcome. I believe this may help you to gain a different perspective on yourself and provide new insight into your life. It may also help you to cope better with life's challenges, both today and in the future.
If you think you may be interested in starting therapy, get in touch. I offer an initial session to all potential clients because I understand it is not easy to open up to a stranger about personal problems. This may help you to decide if you feel at ease with me and if my approach is right for you.
Locations
London
SW7 4TE
Issues often worked with
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
Fee: from £85-120 depending on whether we meet online or in person, and the time of day.
Please note that no-shows and cancellations within three working days of the session will be charged in full.
Rescheduling and cancellations can only be made on Monday-Friday.
Training and qualifications
I have experience of providing both long-term and short-term individual therapy. I have facilitated groups for anxiety and depression, and for cancer patients. I worked for years in the NHS, at Mind, and at Breast Cancer Haven, a charity that supports women with breast cancer. I now work in private practice.
I have a personal interest in expat & third culture issues (including Brexit anxiety, rootlessness, belonging, freedom, identity and home), life's transitions (including menopause/andropause, midlife crises, lack of meaning, growing old and dying) and employment issues.
I am a qualified psychotherapist and existential analyst. I have a postgraduate diploma (PgDip) in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology and an Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy (ADEP), both from Regent's University. I am accredited through the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and abide by its code of Ethics and Conduct. I am a member of the Society for Existential Analysis (www.existentialanalysis.org.uk).
Before retraining as a psychotherapist, I worked for more than a decade in investment banking followed by more than a decade as an economist/political analyst in a think-tank/publishing house. My banking and publishing jobs gave me first-hand experience of the highly competitive and stressful nature of these work environments. I maintain my business involvement with a non-executive director role at an energy services company.
Ondine Smulders