Gordon McIntosh

I am available Monday to Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Each year, I take a 6-week break—2 weeks in August, 2 weeks at Easter, and 2 weeks during the Christmas/New Year period.

Occasionally, I may take additional breaks for conferences or training, but I will always discuss these with you well in advance.

About Me

I have accumulated over 40 years of experience in the fields of mental health, social welfare, teaching, and psychotherapy.

Academically, I hold a degree in Psychology from the University of London, a Postgraduate Diploma from the British Association of Psychotherapists and Oxford University, and an MA in Psychotherapy from Leeds Beckett University.

I consider myself a serious individual—patient, creative, analytical, curious, and pragmatic. While I can be intense and focused when the situation demands, I also lean towards humour, humanity, and a sense of ‘lightness,’ which I believe is essential in fostering a strong therapeutic alliance.

Services offered & the process of therapy

I am dedicated to and passionate about working with individuals who are ready to address emotional, psychological, and interpersonal challenges at their own pace. For example, some of my clients experience debilitating anxiety, distress, and a pervasive sense of 'dread' or 'emptiness' in their personal or professional lives.

By paying close attention to these stressors and difficult emotions, we aim to explore and develop insight into how both conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings—though they may seem intangible on the surface—are often rooted in past relationships and experiences.

My primary approach is psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy. However, throughout the assessment and beyond, I remain flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each client. This means drawing on a variety of techniques and psychological methods that honor each individual’s distinct experience.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is not a ‘quick fix.’ It is a deeply invested, committed, and enduring process. Its goal is to increase self-awareness, challenge maladaptive coping strategies, reduce psychological defences, and empower individuals to make more informed choices, fostering personal growth and greater self-understanding.

Testimonials from former clients…

“Anyone who has Gordon as their psychotherapist needs to count themselves as very fortunate. With highly intelligent and agile mind and vast experience, he guided me to reconsider how I view many aspects of my life. I consider his passion for his work incredibly important: he is constantly training, researching all aspects of CPD and new fields.

I thought that unhappiness was simply something normal to live with every day. Over the time I saw Gordon, I learned that it isn’t. “.

N.L

“Gordon is an excellent psychotherapist. He helped me immeasurably over some tough times with workplace bullying and the stress of starting new jobs. He’s a skilled listener and remembers details week-to-week which really fosters trust and respect. I would wholeheartedly recommend his warm approach to family and/or friends”.

M.C

“Working with Gordon has been the best investment in myself I could have made. I always thought that I was quite a self-aware person, but he made connections that I simply hadn’t been able to see before and helped me see things from a fresh perspective. His thoughtful analysis has helped me overcome a very tough period of my life. The biggest surprise has been seeing how the changes I have made, have had such a positive effect on those closet to me as well. I will be forever grateful for Gordon’s help”.

J.M

“I attended therapy sessions with Gordon when I needed to work through some childhood issues in the lead up to adopting. The sessions were invaluable to me at that time, and I still think of some of our discussions when I am tackling various parenting issues. I found Gordon to be a great listener and he helped me look at issues from different angles. I have often said that if I hadn’t had the therapy sessions with Gordon before adopting, I might not be so mentally robust when dealing with the challenges that I face as a parent of a traumatised child.”

J.B

“Gordon is a fantastic therapist, calm, helpful, and very compassionate.”

C.S

The first session is an assessment session, which will last for 50 minutes. During this time, we will explore the reasons you are seeking therapy, your hopes and any concerns about starting, as well as any other issues you'd like to address.

We will also cover some practical matters, such as the schedule for sessions, boundaries, confidentiality, holidays, breaks, and the procedure for cancellations.

I am a fully qualified trainer with a PGCE in post compulsory education and training.  I have taught Health, Social Care, Counselling, Psychology and Early Years Child Care from introductory to level 7 in colleges and universities. 

I have also been a conductor for experiential groups for trainee counsellors. 

I was training manager at the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture and have engaged inductions, initiated NVQ's and audited internal and external training at all levels.

I am a sole practitioner of psychodynamic therapy and my consulting room is based in Clerkenwell, Islington. 

I am able to audit any training program your organisation may need.  I can also construct a tailored program and deliver and assess as appropriate.