Natalia Billinge

I began working as a psychologist in 1994, having graduated with an honours degree in psychology from St Andrews University. I went on to complete a master’s degree in psychotherapy and counselling from Regent’s University, London.

My clinical experience has spanned the public, private and voluntary sectors; I have worked across several NHS teaching hospitals and in various academic research settings, including the Department of Public Health Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London. I have also used my psychology background in the commercial sector, spending 5 years working for various market research agencies in London. I became Head of Qualitative Research at a global research agency, before deciding to return to work in a clinical setting.

Alongside my private practice in London, I currently run a cross-college counselling service for further education students, which includes clinically supervising and managing trainee counsellors and running staff training programmes, addressing various aspects of mental health and wellbeing. I enjoy the mix of leading a team in the public sector and running my own private business.

Often clients may not know what it is they want from therapy until they start talking. People typically need help to identify the issues causing them distress, before working towards resolving them in therapy. A therapist can help to put a name to your problems and then enable you to work through them in a safe and non-judgemental way.

Deciding to engage a therapist is a brave step to take, and successful therapy is dependent upon establishing a trusting relationship with your therapist. Choosing the right therapist for you is about finding a competent and experienced person to work with; but it is also about finding someone you feel comfortable enough to share your problems with, so you feel heard and understood.

As an integrative psychotherapist, I tailor my approach to the individual needs of each client, and I challenge my clients to explore new ways of seeing themselves, particularly in relation to others.

As well as being a fully qualified psychotherapist, I also draw upon my background in other related disciplines to inform my practice. My extensive experience of psychological research enables me to offer a more structured and focused approach to sessions, which many clients benefit from. I also draw on my experience of leading commercial research teams in the private sector to enable me to provide a pragmatic and professional approach to clinical problem solving.

I offer both short and long term therapy and I now work predominantly online, as most clients find this more convenient.

Our first session will explore your previous experience (if any) of counselling/ talking therapies and any particular issues you that you would like to focus on. This first session is over the phone and free of charge. If you are unsure of whether therapy is right for you, this will give you an opportunity to discuss what to expect. The session will not take the form of a question and answer session, but will explore what has lead you to seek help now, at this time in your life, and how my approach may be able to help you.