Deborah Crookston

I am a Brighton based Psychodynamic psychotherapist accredited with the BACP AND UKCP. Due to the current situation with Covid-19 I am working remotely and seeing my clients online. In normal circusmtances I work from comfortable consulting rooms in Hove and Brighton.

I offer open ended therapy  for a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, grief and loss. Beginning counselling is also the opportunity to embark on a journey of personal growth, to acquire some self insight and develop a way of being in the world that feels creative and purposeful. 

Prior to training as a therapist I  worked in the NHS for 16 years as a nurse practitioner specialising in HIV, AIDS and palliative care. This work informs my  holistic approach and interest in the emotional, social, physical and psychological aspects of an individual.

 As a psychodynamic psychotherapist I am curious about the life of a person from infancy on and in considering how their present difficulties and distress may have links back to earlier relationships and experiences. Patterns of relating and behaving that worked in the past may have become dysfunctional and even damaging to the self and others.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy requires from a prospective client  a certain level of commitment to the process and a  willingness to be curious and even vulnerable at times. In return it is always my endeavour as a therapist to work safely,supportively and with sensitivity.

I see adult individuals or couples in weekly therapy. I also work as a clinic supervisor at the Rock Clinic Brighton.

Since qualifying as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2010 I have undertaken further training;

MSc Psychotherapy, Brighton University 2012-14

CBT with Heart, 2014

Supervision training, Rock Clinic Brighton 2017.

Certificate in Psychosexual studies, Tavistock Clinic 2018

Boarding school syndrome,  Boarding school survivors 2018

An initial session is an opportunity for you to meet with me and decide if you think my apporach to therapy is one that might suit you. It is also a chance for me to see if I think I am the right therapist for you, or if you might be better supported by another therapist with a different training background or approach.If this is the case I will aways try to refer you on to another therapist who has availability.

 It is really important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and for this reason you are encouraged to come for a first session and the take some time to consider if you want to commit to further sessions.

First sessions are 50 minutes long and are charged at the same price as ongoing sessions.[£60]

First sessions for couples are an hour long  and are charged at £75.