The Psychotherapy Room
Counselling and Psychotherapy

Amanda Baker Psychotherapist

I am a fully qualified humanistic integrative psychotherapist.

What this means is that I draw on a wide range of strategies, techniques and theories and that I believe that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is central to the therapy and should be based on non-judgement, trust and respect. As an overview to my approach I also recognise the interconnected nature of mind, body, heart and spirit. I work to the code of ethics as set out by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

I trained for five years at the C.C.P.E, gaining a post-graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy which is a BACP and UKCP accredited. Since completing my training I have been very committed to continual professional development and am also trained in C.B.T and as well as in specific techniques to work with trauma.Over the last six years I have had experience with a wide range of issues both with my private clients and at MIND.

I have particular experience in working with depression, anxiety, stress, panic attacks, anger issues, feelings of low self-worth and low self-esteem, physical and emotional abuse, bereavement, processing feelings of loss, trauma, physical and emotional abuse, addictive patterns, relationship problems, sexuality, body and identity issues and those who are struggling with a lack of purpose and meaning in their lives.

In working with my clients, my aim is to meet them with empathy and respect and without judgement, valuing their uniqueness and individuality, whilst tailoring the therapy to their specific needs.


The Therapy

Humanistic psychotherapy believes that we all have an innate capacity for and impulse towards emotional health and that each person carries deep within, the wisdom and solution to their difficulties. Good therapy is about identifying and removing the blocks to achieving our potential. Life can feel painful, challenging and overwhelming at times and psychotherapy provides an opportunity to speak confidentially and openly to someone who is trained to listen in a particular way and who can give you support and help you gain clarity and insight into your situation and feelings. Whilst we can't change the events of our past, it's how we react to them, the meaning and power we give them that will determine what they become in our lives.


The process of psychotherapy helps you make links between past and present experiences to better understand and address your current difficulties. Parenting and contact with other significant adults forms a child’s core beliefs about himself and we often unconsciously carry these beliefs into adulthood (our childhood scripts govern the way in which we interpret the adult present). These fixed beliefs and patterns often prevent a person from living life to the full. My aim as a therapist is to help you gain insight into your life and patterns and to support you in finding creative resourceful solutions and new ways of being and thinking. The process of psychotherapy enables you to understand your personal history and how negative patterns lead to emotional stress. We will also look, in a spirit of warmth and curiosity at the here and now of the relationship as it appears in the room in attempting to excavate and understand these life scripts. At the same time my aim is to respect your autonomy and unique way of being in the world.

I see the therapeutic relationship as being of utmost importance. Its basic values are integrity, impartiality and respect. My belief is that in this atmosphere human beings will move towards the potential that I believe exists within us all.

Confidentiality and trust is considered to be of utmost importance in therapy. Clients may share difficult feelings and thoughts with me and in doing so can expect that any details of their personal identity may remain confidential.

Sessions last 50 minutes and are held on a weekly basis and are regularly reviewed.



Fees

I charge £60 per session (including the initial session). Payment is with cheque or cash and is due on the day.


Cancellation Policy

Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice - The full fee for that session is due.


CONTACT

You can contact me on 07960 014959
or by email amanda115baker@btinternet.com


Location

I practise from both east and west London

In east London I work at the
Gestalt Centre (Nearest tube Old Street)
62 Paul Street London EC2A 4NA
www.gestaltcentre.co.uk