Qualifications

MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy

Therapeutic Approach

Integrative, Psychodynamic

Membership body

BACP, UKCP (Accred.)

Years practicing

8 years

Issues worked with

Adoption, Attachment issues, Bereavement, Childhood abuse, Cultural identity, Drugs, Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), Health anxiety, Identity issues, Mood instability, Personal growth/wellbeing, Sexual abuse, Social anxiety, Insomnia, Loneliness, Sexuality, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Personality disorders, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Depression, Chronic or acute health conditions, Disordered eating, Anger, LGBTQ+, Rape/sexual assault, Sexual identity, Sexual matters, Self-harm, OCD, Trauma, Work-related issues, Not Assessed, Abuse (unspecified), Anxiety (Worries, Fears, Panic), Grief/Loss, Romantic Relationships, Spirituality/Religion, Abortion, Academic Stress, Adjustment/Changes, Burnout/Fatigue, Confidence/Self-esteem, Divorce, Emotional Expression, Family issues/relationships, Financial concerns, Friendships, Illness in the family, Leaving University, Low/Depressed Mood, Parental Alcohol/Drug Problems, Parental Separation/Divorce, Perfectionism, Public Speaking/Performance Anxiety, Relationships with Academic Staff, Sleep Problems, University Pressures (non-academic).

Special interest areas

Low mood/depression; anxiety; self-care and building resilience; emotional regulation; trauma and recovery; relationships (with self and others); life transitions; HE and the student experience. Prior to my Psychotherapy training I spent over 2 decades studying, teaching, and providing academic and pastoral support at various universities in the UK and US; consequently, I am well-positioned to assist undergraduate and postgraduate students and those working within HE settings..

Personal Statement

Hi there, and welcome to my profile. For many of us, the last few years have been really challenging. Are you struggling to come to terms with recent events or past experiences? Does it seem like others are coping better, living more successful lives, or enjoying more fulfilling relationships? Are you experiencing family problems, health issues, bereavement or the loss of a significant relationship? Perhaps you are finding it difficult to come to terms with traumatic events from the recent or more distant past or are struggling with your identity and sense of self. Maybe- on the surface- things appear to be going well, yet you find yourself troubled by a persistent and pervasive sense of anxiety, sadness, anger, emptiness, or worthlessness, or feel lost, disconnected or stuck. Alternatively, you may be burdened by a more general sense of unease; aware that something is not right, but unsure what, exactly, is bothering you. 
 

I’m here to help. I'm Paloma, a warm and perceptive UKCP-registered Psychotherapist providing short-term/brief focal counselling and longer-term/open-ended psychotherapy. My 4-year MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy has equipped me with the expertise to thoughtfully draw upon different psychotherapeutic traditions (such as Psychoanalysis, Object Relations, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Person Centred and CBT) to create a customised approach tailored to your specific needs, using a developmental-relational model as the foundation for my practice 
 

I offer a supportive, accepting and confidential therapeutic relationship where you can express your thoughts and feelings without fear of disparagement or censure. I will listen, with interest and compassion, to whatever you choose to share with me. I will actively engage in dialogue; asking questions, offering observations and insights, suggesting strategies and signposting you to relevant resources. Together, we will reflect upon what has brought you to therapy, identifying and addressing any obstacles hampering your progress as we work collaboratively to formulate a way forward that feels right to you.
 

The motivations for our thoughts, feelings and actions frequently operate outside of our awareness which can keep us 'stuck', repeating established patterns that do not serve our best interests. By sensitively bringing unconscious processes to your attention, I will provide you with the opportunity to reflect upon- and potentially revise- your longstanding beliefs about yourself, others and the world around you, freeing you up to experiment with thinking, feeling and behaving differently.
 

Research indicates that the quality of the relationship between practitioner and client is crucial in determining a successful therapeutic outcome. With this in mind, I invite you to book a 20-minute introductory telephone or video session to see how we get along together and give you a better sense of whether you would find my approach useful.
 

I offer appointments between 1pm-9pm on weekdays, with limited availability between 1pm-5pm on Saturdays. While I realise that reaching out to a professional can feel daunting- particularly if you have no previous experience of talking therapy- I assure you that I am friendly and down-to-earth and would be delighted to hear from you!