Pat Bennaceur

I have more than 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist and counsellor working with relationship issues, anxiety, health and career challenges for individuals and couples. I also offer group therapy.

I am a fully qualified BACP accredited psychotherapist and counsellor, practicing in Hove. I also offer therapy on Zoom, FaceTime, Skype or the telephone. I offer short term and open-ended therapy.

I work integratively, meaning that I can draw on many different elements of psychotherapy to support you the client to enjoy a more fulfilling life with better relationships and a greater self-awareness. 

I began practising in 1992 and I have undertaken trainings in Transactional Analysis, Couples therapy, Body psychotherapy, Breathwork and Gestalt. I also use theories from many other modalities. Over the years, I have worked with a diverse range of clients from many different backgrounds and cultures and a vast range of presenting issues. I also worked for some years for an HIV charity.

Before practising full time as a psychotherapist, I worked in a corporate environment, eventually running an engineering company. I think that this gives me an understanding of the high levels of stress that many people experience in their working lives and the effect this can have on their relationships, health and general well-being.

I work with individuals and couples and also run groups. This can be short term usually 6 – 12 sessions or long term and open-ended work and sessions are usually weekly. 

I am warm, sensitive, non-judgmental and empathic. I understand that coming for therapy – especially for the first time – may feel a bit daunting, and you might be wondering what to expect. 

In our first session we will talk about what is on your mind and what has led you to seek therapy at this time. We will talk about the process of therapy and discuss how we can work together, whether you have any specific goals or objectives in mind and answer your questions. We can think about whether it would be best to work with a set number of sessions – usually either 6 or 12 – or whether it would be preferable to work more open-endedly.

My sessions are 50 minutes and weekly although sometimes twice weekly is recommended and this can be agreed between us at our first meeting.  

I am a qualified supervisor with over 30 years experience working as a psychotherapist. 

I work with supervisees who are in training and qualified and I am particularly interested in offering group supervision privately and within organisational settings.   This way of working offers a broader cross section of potential skills and insights and can also be more cost effective for those starting up their practice.

Supervision is a clinical imperative for any practicing health professional. I am fully qualified to supervise both qualified and trainee Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches and all other Allied Healthcare Professionals. I hold a Diploma in Clinical Supervision and have full professional liability insurance.

Understanding the importance of establishing a safe, open, collegial relationship within which to support and challenge all aspects of therapeutic work, we work together to ensure best practice, personal wellbeing and professional growth. It is essential for you to feel as comfortable, supported and accepted as possible to enable a deep exploration of your successes, as well as your challenges, without fear of judgment, as we reflect together on your skills and processes. I believe we all need to be challenged and are constantly learning from each other.

I work in person and online using Zoom, FaceTime or Skype.