Heather Stradling

Current availability for weekly, in-person sessions near Old Street, London is on Friday mornings. 

I am a psychodynamic counsellor, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and work with adults on a short or long-term, weekly basis. I have many years of professional experience supporting people who may be struggling with different aspects of life and relationships. This includes people with different diagnoses or who identify as neurodivergent.

How I work 

My therapeutic approach is based on listening deeply and openly to what you bring, helping you make connections between different aspects of your life. The aim of this is to help you develop your understanding of yourself and others, supporting you to make sense of what might be troubling you, or of what is otherwise on your mind.

I welcome whatever you bring to sessions. This might include specific situations, dilemmas and relationships you’d like to work on, and dreams, thoughts, feelings, or anything else that comes to mind. Together, these can help bring to the surface what might have been previously unknown thoughts, feelings and beliefs. In doing so, it is possible to uncover unhelpful and possibly self-destructive unconscious narratives, as well as access your own wisdom about what you might want and need. Ultimately, my aim is to help you to live your life, without feeling held back by conscious or unconscious ways of being that may no longer serve you.

I incorporate mindfulness, breathwork, psycho-education, mentalisation and coaching approaches, where appropriate, depending on what might be most useful for you at any given time.

My philosophy and approach

I believe passionately in the ability and capability of everyone, regardless of where we start or how we got where we are. This belief is informed by the understanding that we are all affected by the impact of our histories – individual, family and societal – which can consciously and unconsciously influence how we face and make sense of new struggles or life situations that might arise. However, counselling can help in the process of understanding oneself in relation to others, the past and whatever might be the reason for seeking counselling in the first place. It can open up the possibility of new choices and different approaches to familiar problems.

I have been studying and working with psychodynamic theories and practices, at individual and group levels, since 2011. My practice is informed by the work of pioneers including Freud, Jung, Klein and Bion, and developed through contributions from attachment theory, compassion and mentalisation-focused therapies, and research from the fields of neuroscience and traumatology. 

You can find out more by visiting my website.

The first session lasts for 60 minutes and costs £115. 

During our first meeting, I will hear about you, what brings you to therapy and what you might be looking for. I’ll explain a bit about me, my work, some contracting logistics (e.g. confidentiality, meeting and payment arrangements) and answer any other questions you may have. You will be able to get a feel for how I work in this session, and I will start to get to know you a bit more.

It may be we agree to embark on working together at this point, or we may agree to meet again before deciding on this. If we agree that we are not the right match, I will be happy to share details of other therapists or services who might be more appropriate.

A regular day of the week and time will be agreed for sessions on an ongoing basis.