Counselling and Psychotherapy in Twickenham, Middlesex
Anne Marie Cussins MA.DipPsych. UKCP. registered."Consciously experiencing our legitimate emotions is liberating, not just because of long-held tensions in the body,but above all because it opens our eyes to reality (both past and present)and frees us of illusions. It is therefore empowering without being destructive." Alice Miller, The Drama of the Gifted Child.
I am a counsellor and psychotherapist with many years of experience, working in Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, on the borders of Surrey and Middlesex.
I work in private practice and can offer counselling and psychotherapy in a comfortable and confidential setting for the following:
- Couple and relationship difficulties.
- Short-term, solution-focussed approach, working within a time-limited number of sessions. This is suitable for any issue you have found to be stressful in the recent past.
- Psychotherapy for long-standing, emotional problems.
- Treatment for eating disorders,anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating.
- Work-related difficulties: coaching for improved performance in your career.
- Anxiety,panic attacks and depression; these problems may effect the body and mind simultaneously and you may need sessions for a period of time which will help you to be free from medication in the long-term.
My Approach
I work with psycho-analytic principles which means taking into account that some of what we experience has roots in the unconscious mind. I will work with you to deepen insight into feelings, patterns of behaviour and of thought, and to enhance experiencing and "listening to the self" in a reflective way. Dreams,also,can be important in discovering how you are really feeling.
The deepening of understanding of self and relationships is what is "analytic" in the approach. In some cases this analytic work,in psychotherapy,can lead to a reappraisal of your sense of identity. Whether your issues are about sexuality, feeling immobilised,needing to change your adaptation to the social world and its challenges - and it could be all of these during the course of therapy - psycho-analytical therapy can enable a very worthwhile experience.
Another very important principle in this approach is the highly significant effect of human relationships on our growth and development from the earliest days of life. A psycho-analytical and relational approach is very attuned to listening and noticing how these early foundations are being played out now, in the more valued of relationships, and with others at work and in social life, and also in the therapeutic relationship.
Sometimes people think that they will be given advice in order to solve their problems. A psychotherapist, instead, has been trained to create the circumstances in the therapy to allow you to find your own truth, and, you will be able draw the conclusions you need from this experience.
My Practice and its Location
The therapy I offer enables the client to understand him/herself as an individual and to manage life appropriately. This takes place in proportion to the amount of self-esteem we have, and too, the ability to be both separate and to make meaningful attachments.
I have a special interest in eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. Since 1986, I have been working with clients with these problems and have developed my work to reflect the experience gained over time with the latest clinical understanding of these syndromes.
In a thorough consultation, which can be arranged within a short period of time, I will help you to explore which approach would be suitable for you.
I work with both individuals and couples on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period; I have a consulting room here in Twickenham and offer
Counselling and Psychotherapy for those in Twickenham and Richmond and the surrounding areas.
My practice in Twickenham is convenient for those requiring counselling or psychotherapy with an experienced psychotherapist of many years, and for those requiring a specialist in eating disorders.
It is within easy reach of:
Richmond, Kingston-upon-Thames, Wimbledon, Surbiton, Central and West London, Hampton, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew, Hounslow, Roehampton, Sheen, Barnes, Ham, Petersham, East Molesey, Sunbury and other areas in Surrey and Middlesex.
I am experienced in helping clients who have difficulties with :
- Relationships
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Redundancy
- Depression
- Eating disorders: compulsive eating, bulimia, anorexia
- Bereavement
- Suicidal feelings
- Adoption issues
- Relationship problems in couple and family relationships
- Obsessional-compulsive disorder
Over a period of more than twenty years I experienced regular acute periods of anxiety and depression requiring medication and, on one occasion, in patient hospital care.
I started seeing Anne for weekly Psychotherapy in October 2008.
Psychotherapy was not a quick fix but gradually helped me understand how experiences and patterns of behaviour picked up in early life and beyond were behind the acute symptoms I would experience.
Through this understanding I feel much stronger psychologically and, when I am vulnerable to negative thoughts and feelings, much better able to recognise and deal with them.
More than this, although part of the same process, Psychotherapy has helped me increase my self esteem and self confidence, improving my quality of life in numerous ways.
Anne is a skilled and experienced Psychotherapist who understands that it takes time for changes in thought patterns to occur but isn’t afraid to use direct confrontation when required.
I would often enter a session with a myriad of thoughts and emotions creating a strong feeling of confusion, whereupon three or four questions and observations from Anne later, the issues and processes going on would be quite clear.
I would strongly recommend Psychotherapy as a treatment and Anne as a Psychotherapist.
