BSC, BSC, MSC, PG Dipl.Psychol, Dpsych
Counselling Psychologist Chelsea
About Sally
~ Integrative Counselling Psychologist Chelsea ~ Psychotherapy South West London ~
I am a Doctoral level Counselling Psychologist in Chelsea, South West London. You can be safe in the knowledge that I have undergone a full and extensive training consisting of 2 year MSc, and 4 year Counselling psychology Doctorate, and am qualified to deal with any range of presenting psychological issues.
I am trained in the major models of therapy, including CBT, psychodynamic practice, person centred and systemic therapy, all of which are grounded in evidence based practice. This means I am able to work integratively, using researched techniques that work for each individual on a personalised basis. My psychotherapy practice is mainly based in Chelsea, South West London (nearest tube South Kensington), with a possible option for being seen in Harley street.
How I Work
Psychodynamic Therapy & CBT
CBT is a psychotherapy tool that can be used for a range of issues including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Often, some of these issues are symptoms of earlier internalised dynamics and mechanisms, which psychodynamic practice can be used to address. A systemic approach to psychotherapy understands that we inherit emotional reactions and relationship dynamics, examining familial patterns, which might keep us stuck. It is sometimes useful to bring a partner or other family member to therapy sessions with your psychologist, during which relations can be worked on directly and immediately.
Communication
Leadership & Empathy
My doctoral thesis is in the experience of very high empathy, and this is my area of special interest. Having a strong capacity to understand the thoughts and feelings of another can be a difficult skill to manage and harness. With conscious learning, guidance and support, and when protected and used well, it can be an asset. Low empathy can also present a challenge. While often very successful in professional work, personal relationships and emotional worlds can suffer. This can lead to feelings of anger, isolation and loneliness, struggles with intimacy and maladaptive coping mechanisms. My work often involves encouraging and supporting a greater capacity to tune into the thoughts and feelings of others, increasing professional and personal contentment and success.
​Mindfulness & Body Awareness
As a therapeutic technique, mindfulness involves focusing awareness in the present, while recognising and accepting thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. I find that the art of mindfulness brings an effective balance to my work with clients. My professional doctoral training has grounded my work in a psychological science based practice of the mind and its mechanisms. However, my history of working with the body and the breath, brings an invaluable element to the work. If the body is ridged and tense and the breath is shallow, emotions cannot be released and worked through. Employing a mindfulness of the body within psychotherapy adds an important element to the work.
Areas of Special Interest
High Empathy/ Low empathy
Couples therapy and intimate/ sexual relations
Anxiety/ generalised anxiety/ social anxiety
Depression
Loss and bereavement
Selective Eating Disorder
Leadership skills in corporate environment
Public speaking
Fertility
Health conditions
Qualifications and Education
City University 2015 –
Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
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City University 2014 –
Post MSc Counselling Psychology
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Westminster University 2012 –
MSc Psychology
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University College London 1998 –
BA English Literature 2:1
Published Works
Leonard, S., Willig, C. (2020) The experience of living with very high empathy: a critical realist, pragmatic approach to exploring objective and subjective layers of the phenomenon. Journal of counselling and psychotherapy Research. Willey online publishing. DOWNLOAD ARTICLE
My journey with Sally has been full of challenges and deep exploration. At all times she has been my safety rope stopping me from free falls and my torch helping me to bring clarity and light where nothing could be seen before.
It's no exaggeration, Sally really has made made such a positive impact on my life. I was struggling with an issue I had carried with me all my life, but her caring, warm and understanding approach allowed me to feel really comfortable to open up and together we went on a journey that now means I live a much happier life.
Rarely do you come across someone you feel so comfortable with from the first glance.
Sally’s work is phenomenal. She has a wonderful ability to navigate through your issues. I have learned more about myself in one session than I have in the last 37 years. I thank my lucky stars that our paths have crossed.
