Catherine Jacobs

I am available for consultation during the day on weekdays. I work from my practice in Camberwell, 10 minutes walk from Oval Tube Station and 5 minutes walk from Camberwell Green. There is blue badge parking nearby, a ramp to the entrance. Standard width door to ground floor premises. Currently there are no evening spaces.

During the pandemic and the lock-downs I have been working on-line. Now I am returning to working in person, taking necessary precautions to make this safe. For some people (eg those who have health vulnerabilities) working on-line or by phone is still possible. 

Why talk to a stranger?

In the unique and confidential setting that psychotherapy provides, it is possible to have very different kinds of conversation. It could be many things that lead you to seek therapy:

You may be in a crisis, distressed, experiencing emotional turmoil, struggling with relationships, conflicted or confused by what you desire, stuck in an old pattern, finding yourself doing the same thing yet again, yet wanting to stop. Going through a time of change, struggling to cope, lost direction? Something may have thrown into question how you see yourself and others, your very identity may feel under threat. 

At times like this we can benefit from talking to someone who is not involved in our lives. Someone like myself who is trained to help you think about yourself in a productive though challenging way. Therapy is not easy, though life circumstances that bring you to seek therapy may not be easy either.

At whatever depth, conversations with a therapist such as myself can allow you to see things from another perspective and ultimately this can foster change as you deepen and widen your understanding of yourself and others. You may want to explore what makes you the person you are, or you may want to look at a particular concern or issue.

I have left the list of things I can help with as minimal. What often happens is you start wanting to address one thing and as the sessions progress other things emerge that are just as important and may not have been anticipated by you (or appear on the list). I will aim to expect anything and nothing at the same time. 

Psychotherapy can challenge repeating patterns of thought and behaviour and reveal hidden aspects that might be impeding you. Your thoughts, feelings, memories and dreams are the materials I work with. Therapy is a collaboration and I aim to work with you at a pace and depth that suits you.

After your first contact by phone or email we will meet for an initial consultation. This meeting is an opportunity for me to learn something of your concerns and for you to get a sense of how I work. If we agree to work together and it seems right for you, we will look at practicalities such as times and days to meet and fees for your sessions.

People usually come for therapy once a week, though in many circumstances greater frequency can intensify the work and be very fruitful. This might be for the duration of your therapy or for a limited period of time when coming more than once a week is beneficial.

Sessions are 50 minutes long, though the first is longer. At this first session I may ask you questions to gather information and you are free to ask me questions too. As sessions progress it becomes more explorative. Pauses and silences can be part of the work. 

The time we agree on to meet is your time and your time alone. It will not be used for anyone else. Continuity and regularity of attendance is important. I do charge for any of your sessions that you miss.

Initial session fees are £80. Some lower fee places may be available. Currently there are no evening spaces.