Shelley Williams
Psychodynamic psychotherapistAbout Me
I am an experienced, accredited psychotherapist with a background working with children, adolescents and families, and over ten years clinical experience working with adults in individual psychotherapy. I hold a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with distinction from WPF Therapy. I offer once or twice weekly open-ended psychotherapy, working in depth with more complex or historical issues, with a focus on longer-term growth and development, and also short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, where we are able to identify and work with a particular focus, such as a recent bereavement or life transition.
My work is influenced by Analytical Psychology, a branch of psychotherapy founded by Carl Jung, and post-qualifying I have developed my practice studying with Jungian Analysts at The Society of Analytical Psychology. Jungian theory holds that the psyche is self-regulating and purposive, and non-integrated aspects of our personality held out of our awareness, in our ‘shadow,’ are not necessarily destructive but have the potential to expand and contribute to our sense of self and development. By paying attention to the unconscious, psychotherapy and analysis assists the psyche's natural movement towards wholeness, a process Jung called Individuation.
About psychodynamic psychotherapy
Early in our lives, we learn how to cope with our feelings and experiences in our own unique way. Patterns of relating and coping with distress become familiar and continue to influence us throughout our lives at an unconscious level, affecting our behaviour and relationships at home and work. Sometimes, our coping strategies, and the ways we relate to others, may become problematic. For instance, we may feel overwhelmed by grief, illness or painful events. Relationships may break down. We may begin to feel anxious or depressed. Psychodynamic psychotherapy offers the opportunity to begin to make sense of what underlies our difficulties, come to terms with our losses and discover new perspectives. With the help of a trained professional able to guide us at our own pace, we can begin to disentangle ourselves from the shackles of our past and live a more fulfilling life in the present.
What next?
An initial meeting offers you the opportunity to decide whether I am the right person for you at this time and enables me to consider how to best meet your needs. Many people find this experience of being listened to, without judgment, therapeutic in itself. If you would like to talk in confidence, please get in touch by email or phone and I will endeavour to respond as soon as I can.
"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." C.G. Jung
Locations
Issues often worked with
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
Initial session fee: £85
Training and qualifications
Experience:
Since 2000, I have worked in various roles with adults, families and young people from a diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations and ages, in charities, local authorities and private practice. I have been working as an adult psychotherapist since 2013, working within the WPF clinic in London, the NHS and private practice, and I am clinically experienced working with a broad range of issues.
Qualifications:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Theory and Practice, Distinction (Uni of Roehampton, 2016)
- Qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (WPF Therapy, 2016)
- WPF Certificate in Counselling (2004)
- BSc (Hons) Psychology (1999)
Post-Qualification training:
- Transitions: Adolescence into adulthood - Working with 18-25 year-olds (The SAP, 2018-2019)
- Foundations of Analytical Psychology: Jungian and Post-Jungian Concepts (The SAP, 2017)
- Certificate in Clinical Assessment (The SAP, 2016)