About Me

I trained at the Society of Analytical Psychology in London as a Jungian Analyst, qualifying in 2005. I am now a Training Analyst with this organisation, and others. My training was at an intensity of working four times a week, which enables me to work analytically and at depth in both once weekly or more frequent sessions. Before this, I trained as an Arts Psychotherapist at the University of Hertfordshire in 1995.

As well as having a private practice, I have also worked continuously in the NHS in adult mental health settings for the past 30 years, first as an Arts Psychotherapist, then since 2008, as a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. My NHS experience has given me a deep understanding of all aspects of psychiatric illness and mental health problems, as well as different treatment modalities, and also insight into the complexity of organisational life and work dynamics. My recent post was as a Principal Psychotherapist in a community secondary care setting.

My approach draws upon both psychoanalytic and Jungian clinical practice, where the focus is on illuminating unconscious patterns – whether in the analytic relationship, in dreams, or in life outside the therapy – which cause stuckness and pain. I see the aim of the work being to create insight and a deeper understanding of one’s inner world.

I am involved in teaching on various trainings – SAP, BAJA, WMIP. I have published many papers, of which there is a list below.

Books:

• Co-editor of Consulting to Chaos (2017) editors - Gordon, Kirtchuk, McAlister and Reiss, Karnac, London
• Co-author of The Interpersonal Dynamics Consultation (Gordon, Kirtchuk, McAlister and Reiss) Lu-Lu publishing Press

Chapters include:

• ‘Bad to the Bone or Breaking Bad? A Developmental View of Violence’ in Violent States 2018 (ed Adlam et al) Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London
• ‘Perverse Enactments and Perverse States of Mind’ (2017) in Consulting to Chaos (eds Gordon, Kirtchuk, McAlister and Reiss) Karnac, London
• ‘Beneath The Skin: Archetypal Activity in Psychosis’ (2014) in Transformations (ed Cavalli, Hawkins and Stevns), Karnac London
• ‘From Transitional Object to Symbol’ (2011) in Dramatherapy and Destructiveness ed Dokter et al, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London
• ‘Killing off the Shadow: Projective Identification in Murderous Act’s (2011) Murder: A Psychotherapeutic Investigation ed Doctor, Karnac, London
• ‘Dramatherapy and Psychosis’ (2002) Free Associations, Vol 9, Part 3, no 51, Karnac, London

Book Reviews (JAP) include:

• Michael Eigen The Seoul Lectures; Quinodes Hannah Segal in Conversation; Campbell and Hale (2017) Working in the Dark, Understanding the Pre-suicide state of mind;
• Abel-Hirsch, N Bion 365 Quotes; Alessandra Lemma, Transgender Identities.

Numerous talks/ papers – most recent include:

The Post-Jungian Baby, for Foundations Course, yearly talk; Psychosis and Dissociation, for Foundations Course, yearly talk, Schizoid Defences and the Remote Analyst, for SAP Analytic Group, To See or Not To See, Risk Assessment in Private Practice, SAP Analytic Group, ‘The Persona, The Mask and Social Media’, SAP Analytic Group, ‘The Role of Aggression in our Working Lives’ (WLMHT), The Dark Side of the Self: Jungian Perspectives on Dissociation and Psychosis’ (Oxford, London and Birmingham) The Klein Connection at the SAP, London