I offer my therapy services in Central London in the following locations:

The Chandlery, 50 Westminster Bridge Road, London Waterloo SE1

The Psychosynthesis Trust, 92-94 Tooley Street, London Bridge SE1

 

    There may be occasions in your life when you feel unable to talk to friends or family about your problems. It can sometimes help to talk to someone outside of your immediate circle, a trained and experienced counsellor who will listen carefully to what you have to say. The knowledge that you can talk to a supportive and non-judgemental therapist in confidence, can often help you feel less isolated and alone.

    There may be variety of reasons why you are considering seeing a counsellor. You may be facing a life changing event that has created shock and grief. You may be experiencing feelings of depression and isolation, low self-esteem or suffering from feelings of anxiety without fully understanding why. There may be events from your past that are preventing you from living your life in the way you would like to. Equally, you may be experiencing a lack of direction, feelings of boredom or of being trapped. A significant relationship may be proving difficult for you to manage healthily. You may be aware of self-destructive patterns occurring in your life which are causing you, or those around you pain. Extreme feelings such as anger, shame, guilt, sadness or loneliness may also be affecting your daily life, keeping you stuck in an uncomfortable place.

    Once you have taken the brave step to contact a counsellor and have decided to seek help through therapy, it is quite normal to feel nervous. To begin with it might be difficult to talk about the issues that have brought you to the therapy room. You may experience fear of being judged or criticised. Perhaps you have never felt that anyone has really listened to you, or understood you, let alone accepted you. The relationship that is formed with a counsellor can be very different to previous relationships. It is an environment where there is no ‘wrong or right’ and where no judgements are made.

    Counselling provides a space in which you can explore the issues that are affecting you. Counselling provides an opportunity for you to progress towards a more satisfying and resourceful way of living. It opens the door to understanding personal emotional problems and conflicts.

    Counselling is about helping to make sense of the problems and difficulties that affect your ability to enjoy life and relationships, it’s about finding a way to ease whatever psychological stresses, strains or injuries you have suffered and find relief from the burden they may have created.

    Before commencing counselling or psychotherapy I will invite you along to an initial consultation, where we can meet each other and discuss what you are looking for from therapy.

     

    Couples counselling offers an opportunity to help you and your partner understand and resolve your conflicts, and to improve or rebuild your relationship. It can give you tools to communicate better, to negotiate differences, to learn to problem solve together and to understand each other better.
    It can give you an opportunity to discuss issues or problems in a safe, neutral environment, with the support of a non-judgemental and unbiased therapist.
    Sessions are usually held weekly (but other arrangements are also possible) and last for sixty minutes. Total number will depend on your individual needs.
    Couples counselling could help if you or your partner are dealing with any of these issues or situations that can cause stress in a relationship:

    • Communication problems
    • Trust
    • Unmet needs
    • Infidelity
    • Divorce
    • Substance abuse
    • Physical or mental conditions
    • Same-sex relationship issues
    • Cultural clashes
    • Finances
    • Sexual difficulties
    • Unemployment
    • Conflicts about child rearing
    • Anger
    • Changing roles, such as retirement

    For Couples there are some additional boundaries that are important to ensuring the safety of all parties concerned and of the work in progress.
    Firstly, we need to recognise the right of both parties to speak as openly as they feel able to at that time without fear of interruption, insult or reprisal. While I may suggest some individual sessions where each party can have space to explore what is happening for them as an individual, no secrets can be shared by one that cannot be open to the other.
    These boundaries are important in ensuring that an open and honest working relationship is maintained with myself regardless of any situation or circumstance outside the room.

    Group psychotherapy London Bridge offers an opportunity to discuss your problems and difficulties in a safe, supportive environment, with the help of an experienced and non-judgemental therapist and other group members.

    Group psychotherapy can help you develop greater insight and understanding of yourself, and how you relate to other people. It can help you gain knowledge of how your past affects how you live in the present. The group can also help you identify and build on your strengths and inner resources. You can grow your self-esteem and confidence, and learn ways to take better care of yourself.

    Group psychotherapy offers the opportunity to consider the changes you may wish to make in order to enhance your life, and help you decide how best to achieve them. You can then begin to make the changes with the on-going therapeutic support of the therapist and other group members.

     

    MEN’S GROUP in London Bridge

    My vision for the MEN’S GROUP is to create a safe space for men to be together and to explore what is important and what matters to them. A space where men can get a greater understanding of what it means to them to be a man in today’s world, a space where they can take a closer look at the emotional side of their lives – their anger, sadness, confusion, relationship issues, power and control issues, their pride, parental challenges and addictive tendencies. Also a space where male friendships can begin and continue.

    I invite men to join the men’s group where you will be able to experience the energy of being a part of the male only group. I offer an opportunity to explore your life with other men, to find out what masculinity means to you, to take a closer look at various issues which may be preventing you from living your life to the fullest, your anger, depression, relationship issues or addictions. You will also have a chance to make new connections and friends.

    Group facilitator – Mirek Polanowski, counsellor and pedagogue, MBACP, FDAP

     

    WHO CAN JOIN THE GROUP

    The group is open to all men, including young adults, who come from any background, status, any faith or culture and who can communicate in English.

    Whether you are married, single, divorced, a dad, gay, straight does not matter. You are invited.

    Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Hindu or an atheist it does not matter. You are invited.

    What matters only is your openness and willingness to take part in the process which is created when people get together. If you are willing to listen and be listened, give and receive feedback, discover new ways of relating, share your new insights with the group, you are invited.

    The participation in the group can help you with the following issues: anger and/or rage, addictive behaviours, sadness and depression, relationship and communication problems, difficulties in feeling proud as a man, feelings of loneliness. This can also be a healthy way to learn more about life in general within a safe and supportive group of men trying to achieve similar.

    HOW TO JOIN THE GROUP

    For more information please contact me on 07989137034 or send an email to info@counsellingsessionslondon.com. You will be able to arrange a meeting with me so that you can discuss the group and explore if this particular group is the best form of support you should be seeking in this time of your life. This consultation is free and there is no obligation to join the group if you feel it is not right for you.

    WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GROUP

    The group is governed by the group rules which are set by the members in the first meeting. Men usually sit in a circle however you will discover that there is a lot of space for freedom and creativity.

    Once the group have settled men share their thoughts and feelings in relation to what seems to be most important that evening or they follow a theme suggested by me. I provide topics and themes each evening however the group can decide whether to use them or not. There will be a session or two when certain topics will be a part of the programme, e.g. anger, communication.

    Each man is offered a space and time to express himself so that not only he feels a part of the group but also a group has a chance to develop into one which is safe and trusting with plenty of scope to carry out as much self-reflections as practically possible.

    The group provides a space for creative exploration of what hurts, what matters and what evokes your curiosity, therefore I might introduce various exercises including drawing, working in smaller groups or pairs, role playing or even singing.

     

    Counselling and psychotherapy for men

    I offer my counselling services from my London Bridge and Borough therapy rooms.

    I provide both short term (usually solution focused) therapy as well as open ended.

    I deal with various issues such as addictions, depression, anger, anxiety, couples relationship issues, bereavement, trauma, men’s issues.

    Whilst face to face counselling is currently the most popular and conventional medium of treatment, there are a huge number of factors that may mean receiving counselling by way of another communication channel could be a more appropriate option for you.

    Online Counselling Skype can offer you the same level of support and confidentiality as that of meeting face to face with a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist, but in addition can also offer suitable solutions to some of the difficulties associated with receiving treatment in a traditional therapeutic setting:

    • Accessibility
    • Affordability
    • Anonymity
    • Convenience
    • Flexibility

    Email counselling

    Email counselling is a form of online counselling that allows you to work with me via an email exchange. The process involves you typing you problems and concerns in an email, and me taking the time to read the email before replying with a considered therapeutic response.

    Writing down whatever it is that may be clouding our minds can be an extremely effective way of processing negative emotions. Putting pen to paper, or in this case, hand to keyboard – is an ideal way for individuals who do not feel comfortable speaking about their problems to express themselves.

    Just knowing that there is someone there to receive, acknowledge and respond to your problems without judgement can provide an enormous sense of comfort and support to anyone attempting to overcome a difficult period in their life.

    How does email counselling work?

    As mentioned above, email counselling will revolve around a series of email exchanges between me and you. However, before the therapy itself commences we will need to clarify details such as your reason for seeking counselling, how many times you are able to email me, time frame in which you can expect to receive a response, privacy and confidentially, cancellation policy.

    If you are unsure as to whether email counselling is a suitable option for you, the best thing to do is to get in touch with me to discuss your concerns. Initiating contact does not mean you are obligated to proceed.

    Online Therapy Skype

    This form of counselling is carried out at a pre-arranged time using an instant chat messenger or SKYPE, allowing you to receive an instant ‘real time’ response. Similarly to that of email counselling, online chat counselling is often more accessible and convenient than that of face to face counselling, and it also gives the client the option of remaining anonymous.

    How does online chat counselling work?

    If you have decided that online chat counselling is an avenue you would like to explore, get in touch with me to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to “meet” online. At the designated time slot I and you will both log on to a chat room (which will be secure and confidential), so that we can exchange instant messages for the agreed length of the session. Here we will also need to clarify details such as your reason for seeking counselling, how many sessions we will have, privacy and confidentially, cancellation policy.

    Clinical Supervision London Bridge

    I offer clinical supervision both to individuals and groups.

    As an experienced humanistic counsellor, attachment-based therapist, addiction specialist I have worked extensively with individuals, couples and groups. I now offer clinical supervision to both qualified therapists and trainees.

    I have trained at the CPPD where I now teach the addiction module. In my clinical work I integrate various orientations including humanistic, psychoanalytical, attachment and transpersonal.

    My supervision diploma training (at CCPE) offers an integrative transpersonal perspective to the clinical work.

    If you would like to discuss your clinical supervision needs please enquire.

    Working within the ethical guidelines of the BACP to provide a trusting relationship and a supportive environment for counsellors and psychotherapists to reflect upon their clinical work with clients to promote a safe, boundaried, effective and creative practice as well as a space for personal development.

    Working with Addictions London Bridge – alcohol, drugs (e.g. cocaine, marijuana), gambling, sex

    I offer a structured approach to working with addictions. In many cases addiction is a manifestation of a hidden difficulty, one which may be much more difficult to spot and define. There may be a lot of causes of addiction and the integrative model helps us consider you from several perspectives (e.g. biological, social, physical, spiritual). This is often sufficient to determine the root cause of your addiction and also to design a unique treatment package for you – cognitive-behavioural, more exploratory with the closer examination of the early patterns of the attachment or the combination of both.

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    When we meet for the initial consultation session I will be able to hear your story, learn about the addiction and decide the way forward. Together we will be able to choose the right treatment package, which will consist of 6, 12 or 18 sessions. Each package is entitled to one free review session to be used within 8 weeks of the treatment completion.

    In general the type of package you choose will depend on the aim of therapy – abstinence, reduction or preventing relapse. These packages are designed as an alternative to seeking a structured support within residential settings.

    Package 1 – 6 sessions plus a free review session (within 8 weeks of treatment completion)

    Appropriate for:

    • Clients first time in treatment
    • Clients unsure about the ultimate goal of therapy
    • Clients abstinent but looking for an additional support preventing relapse

    Package 2 – 12 sessions plus a free review session (within 8 weeks of treatment completion)

    • Clients who have decided to work towards abstinence
    • Clients looking for a thorough relapse prevention support

    Package 3 – 18 sessions plus a free review session (within 8 weeks of treatment completion)

    • Clients determined to receive a thorough package consisting of the exploratory work and relapse prevention