Psychological therapy for adults · London Bridge and online
Coping on the outside, struggling on the inside
Help with anxiety, low mood, burnout and relationship difficulties that keep coming back, from a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with 25 years’ experience, including 14 in NHS specialist mental health services.
What people often notice before getting in touch
Many people carry something for a long time before they look for help. You might recognise some of this:
- Feeling anxious or on edge, and finding it hard to switch off even when nothing in particular is wrong
- Low mood or a sense of flatness, going through the motions without feeling present
- Tiredness that rest doesn’t touch, and guilt when you do stop
- Withdrawing or going quiet when things become emotional with the people closest to you
- Putting other people first, and finding it hard to say what you need
- A harsh inner critic, or a persistent fear of being found out
- Going over conversations again and again, or dreading what’s ahead
Patterns that once helped, and now hold you back
Many of the difficulties people bring to therapy began as ways of protecting themselves. Keeping feelings at a distance, putting other people first, staying in control, or being hard on yourself before anyone else can be: each usually made sense at the time, often in early relationships where it was needed.
These patterns tend to carry on long after the circumstances that shaped them have changed. They become automatic, especially under stress or in close relationships, and can leave you anxious, low, cut off from others, or caught in the same difficulties again and again.
Therapy with me is about understanding those patterns together: how they developed, what keeps them going, and how you can begin to respond differently.
Who I work with
I work with adults, individually. Many are capable, thoughtful people whose difficulties have become long-standing or keep coming back. Most recognise themselves in one of three descriptions.
When work has taken over
Your work asks a great deal of you: long hours, high stakes, responsibility for others, and little room to step back. You’ve always coped by working harder and holding it together. Now the strain is showing up as burnout, anxiety or low mood, and your sense of who you are has become tied to how well you perform.
When you shut down with the people closest to you
You’re good at solving problems, but when things become emotional at home you go quiet, become logical or retreat into work. Your partner may have said they can’t reach you. You want to be more present, for them and perhaps for your children.
When you lose yourself in others or turn on yourself
You keep the peace at your own expense, find it hard to say what you need, or live with a harsh inner critic and a fear of being found out. You may notice the same difficulties repeating in your relationships, however hard you try to do things differently.
Therapy with a clear focus
A common worry is that therapy will be open-ended talking with no clear direction, or that it will open up more than you can manage. Therapy with me has a clear structure.
In the first few sessions we
- develop a shared understanding of what is keeping things stuck
- agree what we’re working towards
- review regularly whether it’s helping
I’ll be honest with you about what I think, and you’ll always know what we’re doing and why.
Training and experience
Before independent practice I spent 14 years at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. I worked in adult mental health secondary care with people whose difficulties were severe, complex or long-standing. I led the Cognitive Analytic Therapy and Mentalization-Based Therapy services in Lewisham, and supervised psychologists in training and in practice.
That experience shapes how carefully I assess, understand and plan therapy with each person I see now.
Chartered Counselling PsychologistBritish Psychological Society
Registered Practitioner PsychologistHealth and Care Professions Council
Accredited CAT Practitioner and SupervisorAssociation for Cognitive Analytic Therapy
MBT PractitionerBritish Psychoanalytic Council
Recognised by major health insurers
What clients say
I consulted Carl after my issues with anxiety got out of control. Over a course of 16 sessions we transformed my way of thinking leaving me happier, more emotionally stable, and able to engage with those around me in a more meaningful way. Throughout the process I felt complete confidence in Carl’s approach and expertise. Carl’s knowledge and professionalism, as well as his kindness and empathy, meant that even difficult conversations felt safe. At all points I felt my difficulties were taken seriously and treated with respect. I couldn’t have imagined the difference 16 weeks would make and I now have strategies for managing which mean I’m going forward with confidence I haven’t felt in years. Highly recommended.
Carl is brilliant. I’ve had therapy on and off before which had always felt like catch ups and ‘checking in’. But Carl’s cognitive analytical therapy approach is a thorough, structured and incredibly thoughtful way of getting to the heart of what makes you tick and what tangible ways you can address problems and ultimately be happier. He’s truly helped me and I couldn’t recommend him enough.
I went to see Carl during a really difficult time in my life. He is a good listener who tries to understand [your] POV and offers useful, constructive real world advice. He gave me a lot of perspective which definitely cleared things up and improved my overall well being. … I’d recommend to see him if you’re in need!
Getting started
Choosing a psychologist can feel uncertain. It’s natural to wonder whether someone will understand you, and whether their way of working will suit you.
The first step is a free 30-minute consultation on Zoom. It isn’t a therapy session and there’s no obligation to continue. You can tell me what’s been happening, ask any questions, and get a sense of how I work. At the end I’ll tell you what I would recommend and why, or, if your needs would be better met elsewhere, I’ll say so.
- Sessions50 minutes
- WhereIn person in Borough, near London Bridge, or online
- Fees£140 per session, or through your health insurer
I also offer clinical supervision to qualified practitioners and those in training. I’m an accredited Cognitive Analytic Therapy supervisor and a BPS-recognised Applied Psychology Practice Supervisor, and I supervised psychologists for many years in the NHS.