Penny Amerena

My integrative training (which includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic and solution-focused approaches) helps me adapt the way I work, so that together we develop the most helpful approach to meet your goals.

I have more than 15 years' experience helping people find a better way forward, so I'm used to addressing a range of issues whether you:

- feel stuck

- think your past might be affecting you in the present

- want to develop coping strategies for specific difficulties eg anxiety, stress, relationship issues, depression.

I'm a registered provider of counselling and psychotherapy for Aviva, Pru Health, WPA, Cigna.

Where and when

I offer therapy in private practice in Wimbledon usually in the evening, or in the daytime in Richmond where I'm also Clinical Director at a practice of experienced, qualified therapists.

Background/Work Experience

I've worked in 

• the NHS leading teams of Primary Care counsellors and supervising their work. 
• the commercial sector supporting stressed City workers at all levels find swift resolutions to their issues
• Third Sector organisations providing long and short term counselling 
• The Priory providing psychodynamic and integrative therapy.

I work with adults, young people and trainee therapists. I aim to adapt my experience and training to fit your therapy needs and to work collaboratively with you.

The first session is a 'finding out' session. We talk about what you want to work on and what you want to get out of therapy. 

I spend a few minutes at the start of first session confirming confidentiality and clarifying any queries that might arise from the introductory email I send to set up the appointment. Then we focus on exploring the issue(s) affecting you, how long you've been experiencing them, what you find helps you and what doesn't. I'll ask some questions to find out about your life experiences, relationships and any risk factors. I'll aim to give you an idea of how I would help you address those issues, based on what you've told me so far.

In the first session you can ask me about my therapy experience, how long your therapy might last, any factors that might affect the regularity of your sessions and so on.

After this session we decide together whether you think I'm a good fit for your therapeutic needs, and of course I consider whether I'm the right therapist to help you. If not I would do my best to help you find another therapist.