Welcome
I am Dr Hannah O’Brien, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Accredited Psychodynamic Counsellor with over ten years clinical experience, working in various settings in the community, education and the NHS.
I offer counselling/therapy to those who need help finding a way through a difficult time or event in their lives. It may be able to help you manage a particular loss, change of circumstance, role or identity.
I offer a warm and confidential therapeutic setting for us to talk together about some of your current struggles. In time, we will begin to understand your emotional experiences with greater insight, which can bring about relief.
I often work with problems which are interpersonal, that is repeated patterns in our relationships that might have become troublesome. The therapy and counselling I offer, will enable you to explore your past as well as your present life experiences.
About me
I comply with the continuing professional development requirements of the counselling psychology profession and I have collegial support.
British Psychological Society: Chartered Counselling Psychologist (CPsychol)
The Health Care and Professions Council: Registered Counselling Psychologist
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy: Accredited Psychodynamic Counsellor (MBACP Accred)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education: Qualified teacher
Experience
My work in the NHS delivering time limited therapy and supervision, means I have met with clients from various social and cultural backgrounds, presenting with a wide range of difficulties. I have training in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy for IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy in the NHS).
I also offer depth as well as breadth of experience and have worked in open ended or long-term therapeutic relationships in community and charitable settings.
As a qualified teacher, I have taught at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. I am currently teaching counselling skills to adults in training. I understand issues relating to young people through my time practicing at the student counselling service at Royal Holloway University. Having said this, I work with adults and not children under 18.
Professional Interests
As part of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology programme at Roehampton University I conducted research on ‘How fathers make sense of their experience of stillbirth after therapy: An Interpretative Phenemonological Analysis’. This work has given me a special interest in understanding emotional issues relating to profound loss, parental loss, grief, existential dilemmas, identity and gender.
As a qualified teacher, I have a teaching and training background. My work in schools and universities means I have a good understanding of young people and education.
I enjoy mentoring others in their development. I am currently teaching counselling skills to adult students at The Counselling Centre in Tunbridge Wells. I have taught psychology students at University, mentored counsellors in their training and supervised colleagues in the NHS.
How I can help
It may be that you are struggling to cope with a specific life event such as a loss, illness, relationship or change of circumstance. Perhaps you are feeling low in mood, anxious or overwhelmed and the reasons for this seem unclear. You may simply be seeking to understand yourself better. I endeavor to understand your recent pain or challenges as well as your history in the therapy, so that in turn you can understand yourself better. I have worked with a wide range of presenting issues and will listen attentively to what is troubling you. We can meet for an initial session or arrange a phone conversation in the first instance to discuss whether my counselling approach might be helpful for you.
Contact
I like to meet for an initial session so we can think together about what would be helpful for you. My practice is conveniently located in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.
I welcome a phone conversation before we meet.
Fee £80
Tel: 07496 848 920
Postal Address:
Dr Hannah O’Brien,
Chartered Counselling Psychologist