Georgia Pavlopoulou

I am an integrative psychotherapist using a collaborative perspective, deeply rooted in humanistic values. I recognise that different people are helped by different processes and activities at different times, and that the best way of deciding on how therapy should proceed is to engage the client in a process of shared decision-making. I am comfortable using a range of approaches to support clients. ​

My main psychotherapeutic interest and way of working is called relational. I believe that relationships, from cradle to grave, are central and vital to both physical and mental health. Relational psychotherapy is an approach that can help individuals recognise the role relationships play in the shaping of daily experiences, attempts to help people understand patterns appearing in the thoughts and feelings they have toward themselves. This model may be beneficial to people seeking therapy for any number of reasons, but in particular to address long-term emotional distress, especially when distress occurs as a result of relational concerns.

Before beginning my own practice, I supported clients of all ages, including older adults, with a range of issues in NHS and charity counselling services (migration, sibling carers, adhd, autism, trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, life transitions, work related stressors, abuse, parenting worries). 

I am also a developmental and educational scientist, trainer and author in the field of neurodevelopment and mental health. I have a Doctorate in Developmental Psychology and Mental Health, a clinical Master in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Master in Psychological Aspects of Special Education.  I have attended a number of additional courses including training in Acceptance and Commitment therapy, attachment based therapies, and existential approaches. 

​My practice is neurodiversity affirmative and LGBTQIA+ positive, with an active interest in exploring difference and experiences of discrimination. Psychological wellbeing, from a pluralistic perspective, comes through the recognition and celebration of multiplicity and diversity, and the rights of all people to live and choose their own identities in their own ways.

As a relational therapist I offer a safe, respectful and confidential relationship that allows you to grow in your own time, where you are able to live your own life and not that of your past or that of other people.

Sessions will be led by you. My role will be to assist you in recognising and honoring your intrinsic intentions, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of yourself and enhancing your awareness about aspects of your life which may be effective or ineffective.

If you are neurodivergent (autistic, adhd, dyspraxic etc) we will work collaboratively to put in place your preferred adjustments to ensure therapy is accessible to you.

If you are caring for someone who is neurodivergent, I will support you to understand evidence-based and humane ways to support your family members with love, courage and dignity. 

Should you wish to start regular therapy following your initial consultation, we will meet for 50-minutes, usually on a weekly basis.

I usually ask that you commit to 10 sessions, at which point we will have a review to see how you are finding our work together. We will discuss whether you’d like to continue working with an open-ended agreement, for a fixed number of sessions or to end therapy. 

Bank details will be provided ahead of your initial consultation. You may pay weekly the day before your sessions, or monthly in advance if you prefer. 

Our initial meeting/first session is a chance to gather information, understand more about your expectations and concerns and also an opportunity for us to get a sense of each other and how we could work together. ​

I may ask some questions about your family, relationships, work, and so forth. Please share whatever feels comfortable. This will help bring to light your history and background, and so set the context for our work.

Our first session we will cover:

• What’s brought you to therapy 

• Your background

•  Your safety and any present risks

• Your hopes for attending therapy and any adjustments you need to access your sessions

• Our working agreement

This is the perfect time to see if we are a good fit for one another. There is no pressure to begin regular therapy beyond this point. 

​Usually it takes some time to build a trusting relationship to explore feelings more openly and manage the challenges that sharing and developing greater self-awareness may bring.

In some cases,  I may refer you complete an initial assessment by a clinical psychologist, a psychiatrist or a family therapist prior to our first meeting.