About The Clinic

The idea behind my clinic grew from noticing that many modern therapies focus on managing symptoms but often overlook the unconscious mind. These are the deeper layers of thought and feeling that influence our lives in subtle but powerful ways. They can push us in certain directions which in the moment feel like 'fate' (e.g. repeated relationship patterns), but in reality are the unconscious forces driving our choices.

The unconscious mind seeps through in ways we do not control, for example, through dreams, parapraxes (e.g. saying one thing when we mean another), repeated relationship patterns, and the way we structure what we say. The unconscious is the foundation for who we are, how we think and what we do, and is the focus of my clinical approach.

In the late 1800s, Freud’s work brought the unconscious into the spotlight, founding Psychoanalysis and reshaping how we understood the mind. Rather than medicalising distress (e.g. by offering drugs or psychiatric diagnoses), psychoanalysis explores the underlying patterns beneath our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Freud's approach was about engaging with the mind, not just treating the symptoms. My practice builds on his legacy.

While honouring Freud and his descendants' pioneering insights, my clinical emphasis has become on the importance of 'thinking'. This is not about over-analysis or logic, but about a capacity for genuine reflection about one's emotional world and relationships. Real thinking means giving voice to our deepest feelings, even those we would rather avoid or do not yet understand. For more information on what I mean by 'thinking', please read my blog post.

Too often, we learn to organise our lives around managing discomfort, skirting the roots of anxiety, depression, or other symptoms. Compared to the cognitive perspective which reduces distress by directly targeting unhelpful thoughts and behaviour, the psychodynamic perspective invites a different process. It gently uncovers the unconscious forces underpinning our conscious experiences, and offers space for new understandings about oneself to emerge. A key component of this involves making use of the therapy relationship to explore the repetition of painful relational patterns in real-time, not only intellectually but also emotionally. This helps soften existing (sometimes rigid) internal relational structures, paving the way for new ways of being and relating to emerge.

In a world where quick solutions are the norm, I offer an alternative. This is an invitation to self-exploration for those who value curiosity about themselves and seek understanding beyond symptom relief. Rather than a promise to 'cure' psychological distress, my commitment is towards exploring the depth of the unconscious mind and revealing the hidden parts that shape distress in the first place.

For more information about my approach, see the sections titled 'Who am I?" and "About my approach".

Who am I?

I am an experienced UK-registered Counselling Psychologist, Australia-registered Provisional Psychologist (see Professional Background for more information), Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) Practitioner and Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) Therapist based in Sydney, Australia. My experience spans the British National Health Service, charitable organisations, and private practice. I have also worked as a lecturer on a Doctoral programme for trainee psychologists and psychotherapists, and offer both clinical and research supervision to Master's and Doctoral candidates.

I work with clients based in Australia and the United Kingdom.

My work is rooted in the belief that durable psychological change emerges from deep reflection and understanding. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, my approach invites a gentle, sustained exploration of the unconscious dynamics shaping emotional life. I believe that growth is more likely when symptoms are understood in the context of each person’s unique inner world. Many modern therapies tend to adopt the view that symptom removal is the best strategy because it is quicker at reducing distress, but in my experience, new symptoms tend to re-emerge later down the line unless properly dealt with in therapy. My approach is informed by my training as a Counselling Psychologist (involving existential therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy) and as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. I am able to draw on all modalities where needed, allowing me to tailor and adapt the therapy to my clients.

I take a holistic view of mental health, recognising the vital interplay between mind and body: what we do physically (our lifestyle, routines, and habits) profoundly influences our nervous system, which impacts psychological well-being. By integrating considerations of physical health and trauma-informed care into the work, we can better optimise the conditions for growth.

To book an appointment, click here.

My philosophy

Being human is complicated. Each of us arrives in the world with a body, a family, and a culture we didn’t choose, shaped by life’s joys and the inevitable challenges of pain, loss, and suffering. To cope, we form ways of protecting ourselves from hardship. While these defences help us survive difficult moments, they can sometimes pull us away from our most authentic selves, leading to struggles with identity, meaning, anxiety, or relationships.

When you come to therapy, it’s often a sign that something inside is calling out for attention: a longing to feel more connected, purposeful, or whole. My role is to offer a thoughtful, gentle space where we can explore what you might have lost touch with and rediscover the parts of yourself that bring greater authenticity and wellbeing.

It’s also important to recognise that we all live in a world shaped by larger social forces. Systems like heterosexism, cisgenderism, sexism, racism, classism, and ableism influence our opportunities and may add burdens or shape our personal wounds. I approach therapy with an intersectional lens, honouring the influence of these social positions and the distinctive strengths and perspectives you hold.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all journey. My practice is shaped by doctoral-level Counselling Psychology training, enriched with further specialist credentials. I blend person-centred, existential, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioural approaches where needed to suit your unique circumstances. That being said, I have developed a focus on long-term, trauma-informed psychodynamic psychotherapy, which helps explore deeper patterns and the ways the past may still live inside us and shape our present life.

For more on psychodynamic therapy, see The British Psychoanalytic Council’s guide.

We begin our work together with a thorough assessment, usually over a few appointments. This process is designed to understand your situation in depth, clarify which approach is best for you, and ensure that our work together feels like a good fit. If another therapy or therapist might be more suitable, we will talk it through together.

To book an appointment, click here.