Philippa Spits
Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Offering:Individual Therapy
Availability: Wednesday pm & eve in Witney
Fees: £70 (Limited concessions)
Frequency:Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre
Also at: Wantage (Mon, Tues & Thurs)
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
Life can be challenging and tough at times. You may feel anxious or depressed, or even noticed a lingering low mood. You might be feeling 'stuck' with the same thoughts continually 'going round' in your head. Or perhaps you have experienced a relationship breakdown, or may have suffered a bereavement. You might even be seeking to explore ways of making positive changes in your life.
At times like these it can be helpful to talk to someone. I offer a friendly, compassionate, warm and confidential space where you can be listened to and where we can explore what is happening in your life at the moment. My aim is to help create opportunities that will facilitate change and healing. Therapy not only provides an opportunity to work through difficulties but it can also be about celebrating strengths and seeking self-compassion.
I work as an integrative counsellor – which means I use thoughts and ideas from different therapy models including both the humanistic (person-centred) and psychodynamic theories. My approach is client led; thus, my response is unique to each client. I believe that the therapeutic relationship – the relationship between the client and the therapist, is important, and has the potential to be a vital and dynamic part of our work together.
Practical Details
At our first/assessment session (an hour long) we can discuss what brings you to therapy and what you feel you need from our sessions. It is a time to explore how comfortable we are together, and if agreed, organise a suitable time for weekly counselling sessions. These are usually 50 minutes. I offer both short and long-term therapy.
I also offer online counselling on zoom, whatsapp or skype.
Background:
I am an experienced therapist and psychotherapeutic counsellor and have worked with clients from different backgrounds and with a wide range of issues: depression, anxiety, low mood, relationship issues, bereavement (including suicide and drug related deaths), low self-esteem, abuse (sexual and domestic violence), work difficulties, life transitions, suicide ideation, illness and issues around caring.
My counselling background encompasses training and working as a counsellor in a variety of settings. I have experience as a volunteer counsellor in the charity sector - Cruse and Victim Support. In addition to being in private practice I am also currently employed as a counsellor at a local family counselling service.
Other
Prior to counselling I worked in both the arts and education sector, as a musician and music teacher.
I continue to teach; offering private music lessons.
Training and Qualifications:
Diploma in Integrative and Humanistic Counselling (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling) (BCPC) (UKCP & BACP accredited)
Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy (BCPC) (UKCP & BACP accredited)
Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Therapy, Oxford University
Counselling Children and Young People (Level 5), I’m OK, You’re OK, ABC Awards 7 Certa Awards.
DBT Essentials (Level 2), The Association of Psychological Therapies
Other: B.Mus. (Rhodes), M. Mus. (Edinburgh)
Registered Bodies and Organisational Positions:
I am a fully accredited member of the UK Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Member of OTS.
Alice Emmott
Psychotherapeutic counsellor
Offering: Individual adult therapy (18+)
Availability: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Fees: £40-£50 (50-min sessions)
Frequency: Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre
Also at: OTS-Oxford Therapy Centre & Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
I believe that a therapeutic relationship built over time is key to the success of any therapy. My job is in part to listen intently to you and I might offer my reflections or an alternative perspective. You can tell me if my reflections sound right or not, and together we will work towards increasing your understanding of yourself and your way forward.
I use an integrative approach and draw upon a number of modalities. This includes a strong focus on Psychodynamic principles which involve noticing present patterns of behaviour and ways of relating to others and connecting these with past experiences and early attachments which give valuable insight on unconscious influences and beliefs we may not have been aware of and can keep us stuck. I also use elements of Cognitive Behavioual Therapy as I recognise that, alongside the deeper work, clients often want some ‘here and now’ help; techniques and practical ideas that you can try.
I have a particular interest in trauma and the various ways it can manifest in the mind and body. The distress of traumatic events can embed in our nervous systems, often resulting in overwhelming feelings of panic, anxiety, dissociation and depression. As a first step I can help you to find ways to self-regulate, such as mindfulness techniques and breathing exercises, to use both within the sessions and in everyday life.
Many people feel an initial reluctance to ‘open the can of worms’ but done in a supported and paced way, this work can be a powerful and enlightening thing to do, leading to real and lasting change.
Background:
I have always had an interest in psychology and, as a lover of books, I have always valued people’s stories and noticed the power of relating our narrative to another person. So, after a 20-year career as an editor in academic publishing, I decided to pursue my long-held ambition to become a psychotherapist. I began my training in 2011 and have never looked back.
Training and qualifications:
Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice (psychodynamic, humanistic and CBT) (Prof. Dip. Psy. C.)
Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling (1 yr), Oxford University, Department of Continuing Education
I have also worked as a responder for the national crisis service Shout 85258
Registered Bodies & Organisational Positions:
Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Individual member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
Member of OTS
Louise Lyle
Psychotherapeutic counsellor
Offering: Individual adult therapy (18+)
Availability: Monday to Saturday
Fees: £45
Frequency: Weekly or Fortnightly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre
Also at: OTS-Oxford Therapy Centre / Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
We are all born with a need to be seen, heard, loved and accepted.
When these basic needs are not met, we find ourselves, often unknowingly, either adapting our behaviours to fill this void to feel some version of love and acceptance or are left feeling empty, alone or confused. The pressures of life, its demands, and relationships can suddenly become something we don’t feel in control of, and its knock-on effect can include isolation, depression, addictions, loss of confidence, shame or loss of identity.
I work with clients who have decided that these issues, short or long-standing, can’t be reached by a comfortable resolution of their own. I offer a working and supported partnership that gives my clients the time that they need to explore and address their emotions, fears, and concerns.
As a qualified therapist, I use an integrative approach that combines elements from different psychological theories and practices to tailor treatment to the individual needs of clients - based on the specific challenges and goals of each client.
I have worked supporting clients who have experienced amongst others, abuse, trauma, addiction, self-harm, anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement, work and relationship difficulties.
Background:
Having worked within Human Resources for many years, I have always been interested in people, and in understanding how we live, work, adapt and respond to life’s trials. I volunteered for a mental health charity for over 5 years.
Training & Qualifications:
Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
BA(hons) Business Studies
Registered bodies:
Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Member of BACP
Member of OTS
Anna Ley
Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Offering: Individual therapy (18+)
Availability: Tuesday & Wednesday (daytime only)
Fees: £70 (limited concessions)
Frequency: Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre & Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
I am a fully qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist. The psychodynamic approach is a way of understanding the more unconscious aspects of yourself and looks at earlier relationships and experiences which may be related to your current difficulties. You may be aware of the cause of your distress or are confused about why you feel the way you do. I offer a safe, non-judgemental and empathetic space for you to explore your feelings and the issues you wish to bring. Having a deeper understanding of yourself can help you to work through your difficulties, feel more in control, and make changes in patterns of thinking and how you relate to others.
I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, panic attacks, trauma, relationship issues and bereavement and loss.
I offer long-term and short-term face to face work depending on what is best for you and I work on line. The aim is to achieve either fundamental long-term shifts or address specific issues that are holding you back, so that you can live a more fulfilled life.
Background:
I have over 8 years experience in the mental health sector. I have worked for MIND and for Sutton Counselling, a community counselling service for the last five years as a counsellor and assessor.
Training & Qualifications:
Masters degree in Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy from Birkbeck, University of London
Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling & Counselling Skills from Birkbeck, University of London
Degree in Modern History from Oxford University
Registered Bodies:
British Association of Counselling Practitioners (BACP)
Member of OPS (Oxford Psychotherapy Society)
Member of OTS
Xanthe Wolter-Ferguson
Counselling Psychologist
Offering: Individual therapy
Availability: Wednesdays, Friday evenings
Fees: £60
Frequency: Once Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre & Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
Life is an intricate journey, full of challenges. If things have become too difficult, you may be considering starting some counselling. I offer a gentle, non-judgmental therapeutic space where you can share your concerns freely and at your own pace. I work towards creating a collaborative relationship, with your goals firmly at the forefront of our work. I believe that the relationship between client and therapist provides a vehicle for change, and I value the importance of nurturing and nourishing this relationship within the context of the therapeutic setting.
I use a combination of different therapeutic approaches including CBT, existential-phenomenology and psychodynamic therapy, tailored towards your individual needs. We may explore in our work how past experiences may be shaping your present-day relationships with yourself and others, and examine how current ways of coping, which may have previously been adaptive and helpful, are serving you. I can help those struggling with depression, anxiety, body image issues, perfectionism, relationship problems and difficulties around gender and sexuality, as well as a range of other issues.
We will review our work periodically, so that we can discuss how the sessions are going and how you would like future sessions to be used.
I also offer online counselling on Zoom and WhatsApp.
Background:
I have always been interested in understanding myself and others, and using these understandings to bring about positive change. I undertook a Philosophy MA and Psychology MSc before completing a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. My doctoral training focused on seeking to understand individuals, rather than diagnosing and ‘treating’ them, and this stance underpins my therapeutic approach. I have experience working in the NHS, private and charity settings.
Training & Qualifications:
Philosophy MA
Psychology MSc
DCounsPsych
Registered Bodies & Organisational Positions
HCPC
Member of OTS
Ben Barwick
Integrative Counsellor
Offering: Individual therapy
Availability: Monday to Friday (Days & Evenings)
Fees: £50 - sliding scale
Frequency: Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre
Also at: OTS-Oxford Therapy Centre& Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
As an integrative counsellor, I draw on a few theories (Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Gestalt) and tailor my approach to the client. I have a keen interest in Psychodynamic Counselling, which impacts my practice. I am focused on working in the present, making the unconscious conscious. We’ll explore patterns that have been established in early life and allow you to do something differently.
I offer both long-term open-ended and short term counselling. Your needs are something we would discuss in our initial sessions.
Background:
I spent over ten years as a Running Coach at Full Potential, designing training plans and supporting runners of all abilities. I felt there was more out there, so in 2018 I took a Level 2 Course in Counselling Skills. Within weeks I knew this was a career path I wanted to go down.
I’ve always been inquisitive about understanding myself, and counselling allowed me to explore my past, present, and future in a way I have never done before. It helps me make sense of my world, which I want to offer to others.
I am currently studying for a postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling at Oxford University. I hope to turn this into a Masters over the next few years.
Training & Qualifications:
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Currently Studying PG Cert in Psychodynamic Counselling
Registered Bodies & Organisational Positions:
BACP Registered Member
OTS Member
Lynne Humphreys
Therapeutic Counsellor
Offering: Individual adults (18+) therapy
Availability: no space before summer, 2024
Fees: £60 (50-minute sessions)
Frequency: Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre, Eynsham & Online
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
From my experience of having counselling at different stages of my life - being ‘the client’ - I discovered that therapy can be a profound and deeply transformative process. It brought meaning, self-wisdom and vitality into my life. I believe that the relationship between client and therapist is one of the most powerful and effective ways to experience emotional healing, psychological wellbeing and personal growth. This is one of the reasons that I trained as a counsellor.
You and the challenges you’re facing are unique. I offer you a place of safety and empathy to unpack it all. As an integrative therapist, I work alongside you to create a bespoke personal therapy which addresses your needs and hopes. I draw on different ways to explore emotions and self-awareness helping you to uncover how you relate to yourself, how you relate to your past and how you form relationships and relate to those around you.
This may involve: Timelines, Attachment theory, Younger Self dialogue, Body Awareness and Breathwork, Creative Experiment, Visualization, Dreamwork and Storytelling.
Background:
After an undergraduate degree in Psychology and English, I developed a career in book publishing - commissioning authors and managing international educational publishing programmes. I’ve lived and worked in various countries either in education or the publishing sector. The creativity of story and illustration from my publishing work influences my therapy practice – offering clients creative ways to explore emotions and understand themselves more fully.
Training & Qualifications:
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB, Banbury)
Diploma Intercultural and Theological Studies (OU)
BA Hons Psychology & English (Oxford Brookes)
Registered Bodies & Organisational Positions:
Member BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Member of British Psychological Society GMBPsS
Member of OTS
Stephanie Davis
Attachment-Based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Offering: Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy
Availability: Thursdays (+Abingdon below)
Fees: £65 - £95 per session
Frequency: Weekly or more as needed
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre;
Also at: Abingdon: Mon, Tues
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Approach & Specialist Areas:
As an attachment-based therapist, I view relationships with others as a key part of human development and growth, and understand that disruptions and difficulties in relationships, in both childhood and adulthood, and feelings of isolation can damage our ability to manage our lives and our selves. These disruptions and difficulties can affect us in a variety of ways of which we may be unaware. My work with clients involves facilitating an understanding of how much of one’s behaviour, and way of relating to others, is influenced by processes linked to such disruptions and difficulties. I consider the therapy to be ‘relational’ in that it is an endeavour in which the therapist and client are both mutually engaged and working together to effect change.
I have developed expertise in working with a range of clients from different cultural and national backgrounds with concerns as diverse as depression, anxiety, trauma, eating problems and abuse as well as emotional difficulties and problems of identity and the self. I also specialise in working with the transition to parenthood and issues around PND.
I use the EFT approach when working with couples. Attachment needs are present throughout the lifespan and viewing the adult couple relationship as an attachment relationship offers a perspective which views the difficulties and disruptions as a consequence of couples struggling to have a good enough, supportive attachment with one another. When a couples’ attachment feels insecure it can result in negative cycles of behaviour which prevent them from communication and connecting effectively. Working from this perspective, I endeavour to support couples to identify and understand their negative cycles and support them in unlocking the emotions fuelling this negative cycle to facilitate a move to a more secure and supportive attachment and way of relating.
Background:
Prior to working as a therapist, I worked as a management consultant and also as a research fellow in Education and Psychiatry. As such, I have a keen understanding of the impact of different environments on mental well-being as well as mental health issues themselves. I have worked in the NHS, private practice and with several charities specialising in fostering and adoption, refugees and stroke survivors and their carers.
Training & Qualifications:
Diploma Attachment Based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
PhD Psychology
MA (Hons) Psychology (Cantab)
Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) approach with couples (Marriage Care)
Registered Bodies:
UKCP Registered
Director of the Forum for Independent Psychotherapists (FIP)
Member of TRS (The Relational School)
Member of OPS (Oxford Psychotherapy Society)
Member of OTS
Ahmed Kandeel
Psychodynamic Counsellor
Offering: Individual therapy for Adults (Arabic, English languages)
Availability: Monday am
Fees: £75
Frequency: Once/twice Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre
Also at: OTS-Oxford Therapy Centre
Click Here To contact me
Approach & Specialist Areas:
My training is in Psychodynamic Counselling. My approach is to create a safe and non-judgmental space for the person to talk and explore difficult feelings and emotions, sometimes we can think of the present in the light of the past and sometimes it's just this supportive and safe space to think together. I have worked with clients who have had low self-esteem issues, depression, relationship issues, childhood trauma, abuse, loss and grief. I believe each individual is unique and cannot be defined by what they suffer from
Background:
I worked for some years in different charitable organisations in the Oxfordshire area that offered general counselling or bereavement and loss-specific counselling
Training and qualifications:
Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Wessex Counselling Services
Registered Bodies & Organisational Positions:
MBACP Accredited Membership
BPC Accredited member
OTS Witney Therapy Centre & elsewhere
Anat Ron-Kendall
Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor
Offering: Individual therapy 18+
Availability: Monday & Thursday
Fees: £60 (£50)
Frequency: Weekly
Location: OTS-Witney Therapy Centre / Online
Also at: OTS-Oxford Therapy Centre / Online
Click Here To contact me
Approach & Specialist Areas:
I am an integrative therapeutic counsellor practising a predominantly person-centred, non-directive approach to therapy. I thus draw on knowledge and understanding from a variety of approaches, depending on which will be most effective in enabling you to reflect on yourself and how you experience yourself in the world.
I specialise in working with those experiencing a sense of loss following great and often sudden changes in their lives which can cause uncertainty and can confront us with concepts and questions of self-identity, life purpose, meaning, belonging, and choices. This can change the roles, relationships, and perceptions of individuals, particularly perceptions of self-worth. This can be overwhelming. There are many forms of change in our lives, often involving a sense of loss. The concept of loss and the inability to process it can contribute significantly to a variety of distressing situations and challenging circumstances in people’s lives.
I apply theoretical and professional knowledge and experience to help with a variety of short-term and long-term issues including:
I am a genuine caring counsellor, offering honesty and empathic understanding to enable you to feel confident in sharing and working through your difficulties to help you gain personal growth and strength. I aim to create a non-judgmental safe space where you can go on a journey that allows you to connect to yourself to deeper levels and learn to integrate all aspects into your self-understanding.
I believe every person has the potential to achieve growth and healing with the help of a supportive environment, and I recognise the quality of the therapeutic relationship as a key element for creating a trusting environment for the therapeutic process to occur. If you are willing to engage in the process, this journey can bring new insights and be truly life changing.
Background:
As someone who moved to the UK thirty years ago and experienced the process of adapting to life in a new country, I have always had a keen interest in how people cope when facing times of significant change in their lives. This motivated me to train as a counsellor and during this time to work with Cruse bereavement care for five years supporting people who have lost loved ones. Given both my personal and professional experience, I have learned that a sense of loss is not only about losing a loved one through death; rather it can be present in a variety of situations and impact people’s mental health in many ways.
Training and Qualifications:
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in bereavement support, Cruse, Oxford
Registered bodies:
British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
