Cara Mackley

UPDATE - September 2024 - Unfortunately, I am unable to take on new clients at the moment.  

I am a qualified, experienced, and accredited couple and individual psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist. I completed my specialist relationship training at the internationally renowned Tavistock Relationships (TR) clinic in London. I continue to work at TR as a Training Tutor, Senior Therapist in the Online International team and the Divorce & Separation team as well as delivering Mentalized-Based Therapy (MBT) to parents in conflict.

I have worked for RELATE as a couples counsellor, a psychotherapist at The School of Life and have completed training by Imperial College London so that I can offer short term counselling to those diagnosed of Parkinson's disease. 

I have experience of working with young people 11-16-years in a school setting as well as supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). My experience of working with young people has further demonstrated the need for parents and couples to feel supported.

Therapy - I practice a psychodynamic approach to therapy which means we will work together to explore your past and what lies beneath your patterns of thoughts and behaviour.  The aim is to understand and process - without judgement - how the past may be impacting you and your relationships in the present day.

Couples therapy - I see couples who want to understand more about their relationship.  Couples come to therapy for many reasons, perhaps they find themselves stuck in a cycle of bickering, poor communication, cross cultural issues, contemplating separation or an affair.  Some couples come for a relationship MOT, empty-nesters redefining their relationship, a new family member, fertility issues and many many more reasons.  Working with a therapist can help the couple untangle what is happening between the couple, giving an opportunity to see patterns of relating.  This process and understanding affords the couple the opportunity to transform the dynamics. 

Individual therapy - I see individuals who want to understand more about themselves and their patterns of relating - either romantic, family or work relationships.  They might be choosing the 'wrong' person, trying hard to hold onto a partner, difficult relationships at work or feeling that being single is relentless.  Alternatively, they maybe in a relationship but the partner, for many reasons might not be ready or want to participate.  Working with a therapist can help the individual explore how they are relating to others, looking back at first relationships with parents and siblings.

The therapeutic relationship is central to psychodynamic therapy.  Whilst we explore how you interact with loved ones, the interaction between you and me allows for an intimate understanding of how you experience others and how they experience you. 

I will offer you two 50-minute consultation sessions where we will think together about 'why now?' and what you hope to achieve from our work together.  I will ask you about your childhood and significant life events. 

Allowing two sessions for the consultation process, you’ll be able to see if therapy feels right for you at this time. If we are in agreement to proceed, we will agree a day and time to meet weekly - this time is reserved just for you.