I have been practising as an individual and group psychotherapist since 1987. I completed training with the Institute of Psychotherapy and Social Studies in 1989 gaining full UKCP registration in 1994 with a diploma in psychoanalytical psychotherapy.
Before qualifying I had worked with young people as a counsellor and youth worker in Handsworth, Birmingham; Reading, Berkshire; and Brixton, London, and have also had experience of working within the residential mental health field.
I am trained as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and work from my home in Streatham Hill, South London, as well as organising weekend seminars and workshops. I am also a trainer in youth work and a supervisor of trainee psychotherapists.
Psychotherapy is a process that can be extremely helpful in dealing with such conditions as anxiety, phobias, depression, addictions, relationship difficulties, issues to do with sexuality, sexual dysfunction, fetishes, compulsive disorders and obsessive behaviour. People also often come to psychotherapy because they feel they are not realising their full potential and engage in the process as a way of achieving personal growth.
The number of 50-minute sessions with the therapist will vary depending on the presented problems. The sessions are likely to take place once or twice each week, and during the session the therapist and client will together attempt to unravel locked away feelings that may have been buried since childhood. Working through these and even remembering them can sometimes be a fearful and difficult, but ultimately rewarding, process. However, this becomes an essential part of the process because often our experiences in childhood have shaped us as adults.
Some of these experiences will not have been beneficial and may have resulted in us using inappropriate coping methods/defences that may not be working so well in our lives now.
It could be argued that anyone could benefit from psychotherapy. People who are looking for personal growth and/or to achieve their full potential often report improved confidence, self-esteem and a greater sense of purpose. I will be able to assess this best and advise after an initial consultation that will last one hour.
The initial consultation session will cost £50, for ongoing seessions a fee will be agreed according to fee plan which is graded depending on income.
As I have mentioned above I work from home, which is two minutes walk from Streatham Hill railway station, just off the A23, and there is plenty of free on-street parking available. Streatham Hill station is 16 minutes journey time from London Victoria and the service is half-hourly. It is also on many bus routes. Day time and evening sessions are available.
I am also a trained supervisor with a Certificate in Supervision, and use my previous experience both as a public service manager and a psychotherapist to facilitate an environment where practitioners can analyse their work in detail. I can also offer both individual and group supervision, for which the fee is negotiable.
Please feel free to email me on andy@culliss.co.uk or via telephone on 020 8671 0732 (answerphone).