Casilda Bartholomew

I currently have availability on Zoom throughout the week from 8am onwards. For clients who prefer in-person appointments I have some availability at my South Kensington practice between 8am and 3pm on Thursdays. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'm a London-based psychotherapist offering face-to-face sessions in South Kensington (SW7) on a Thursday. On other days of the week I work with clients online.

In my practice I strive to be warm and responsive. I value each and every client and know how hard it can be to seek help, particularly at times of sadness, loneliness or low self-worth. I offer an empathic, non-judgmental space that's designed to help you feel safe, supported and able to talk freely about whatever's troubling you. Together we can explore the difficulties you face, whether it's feeling unhappy in your relationship, stuck in life or low in self-confidence. Equally it could be feelings of grief and heartbreak after the death of a loved one, or a sense that undealt-with issues from your past are hampering your progress in life.

My approach is integrative. Underpinning my work is a strong emphasis on person-centred theory and the ideas of Carl Rogers. I also draw on ideas from psychodynamic theory, in particular its insights on early life experiences and how they shape us. I am interested in Freud's notion that love and work are crucial to our psychological health, as well as Winnicott's belief that play and creativity are key to building self-confidence and self-esteem.

I am currently training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an action-oriented approach that's all about connecting with our values in order to lead a fuller and more meaningful life.

I believe that psychotherapy offers a unique space that isn't easily found in our everyday relationships. Over time the process of giving voice to your thoughts and feelings in weekly therapy can be very rewarding, empowering you to develop new insights and identify what matters most to you. Together we can help to set in motion the positive changes you wish to make.

My in-person practice is in South Kensington (SW7) on a Thursday.  If you come by tube, the practice is a three-minute walk from Gloucester Road tube station (Circle, District & Piccadilly lines). 

My room there is calm and quiet, with plenty of natural light and comfortable, attractive furnishings. My aim is for it to be a warm, safe and collaborative space where you can talk freely confident in the knowledge that any disclosures will be kept private. 

In addition to my face-to-face practice, I have online appointments available throughout the week. This often suits people who travel frequently, don't live in London or simply find online therapy more convenient.

Typically clients come to me with relationship problems, low self-worth, high anxiety and episodes of low mood or depression. Sometimes they are struggling to manage difficult life transitions, such as becoming a parent, getting divorced, job loss or serious illness. 

For clients unsure what therapy involves and feeling a little daunted I offer a free 30-minute consultation on Zoom. This would give you the chance to experience how a session feels, ask any questions and work out if you would feel comfortable working with me.

In our first session, whether in-person or online, I would gather information about your health and wellbeing. I would ask about your current life circumstances and any significant events in your past. We would talk about your expectations of counselling, the issues that have brought you to therapy and any worries you might have.

Each session, whether online or in-person, would last for 50 minutes. It would take place at a mutually agreed day and time every week. We might typically plan six or 12 sessions, or leave things open-ended.