Anja Trenkle

There are times in everyone’s life when it’s difficult to solve our problems on our own. We may find that our difficulties are more persistent and deep-seated in some way, and that there is a nagging sense of something not being right. We may feel trapped in particular behaviours and addictions, wonder why our relationships always seem to be taking the same course, or why we’re not achieving our potential. We may find it difficult to manage our anger, feel depressed, anxious, lacking in self-esteem and confidence, struggling with questions about life and love, finding it difficult to make decisions, or may feel unsettled by a particular event, crisis or traumatic situation. People come to therapy for a myriad of reasons. Sometimes somebody just comes, without knowing what exactly may be upsetting them, and the reason for seeking help only becomes clear as the work progresses.

As a psychotherapist and counsellor with more than twenty years experience, I have worked with the majority of problems people can experience in life. I have seen clients in a wide range of different contexts both in the public and private sector, and have worked with people from all walks of life, from corporate executives to people from the Creative Arts and Media to clients from very disadvantaged backgrounds.

My therapy sessions are designed to increase your confidence and to develop a better sense of who you are and to assist you in your journey towards growth and healing in a safe and confidential environment. My approach is down to earth and relaxed and I aim to create an environment where you can express yourself freely, and explore your difficulties from a spirit of curiosity and playfulness.

I work primarily psychodynamically, which means that I have a particular interest not just in your symptoms but also in what lies beneath the surface. This type of work is not so much about giving advice or giving ready made solutions; but I often think of it as being more like untangling a knot. As we work through your individual experiences and become aware of patterns that no longer serve you, you can create space for new possibilities and things can start to feel better.

I also integrate contemporary approaches to the healing of stress and trauma, in particular Somatic Experiencing® and Polyvagal Theory. 

Whilst therapy is neither a quick fix nor a magical cure, for many people counselling and psychotherapy becomes a real investment in themselves. Allowing a space for our difficulties to be heard and witnessed can provide unexpected opportunities, which can open us to a deeper relationship with ourselves and the world around us.

Experience

My experience spans across a range of different contexts and settings: I have worked as a therapist for several counselling centres across London, including Hammersmith and Fulham Mind,  Wandsworth Bereavement Service, Drug and Alcohol Services for London (DASL). I also worked as a Senior Therapist at the London Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and before moving into private practice full time, I worked as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist at St Mungo’s for seven years, where in addition to providing individual psychotherapy for clients with often complex presentations, I also offered consultancy to a mental health project and facilitated reflective practice groups/supervision for staff teams. I also co-authored a paper which has been published in Psychodynamic Practice, one of the leading journals for psychodynamic therapy. Towards the end of 2017, I set up The Therapeutic Rooms. In 2024, I qualified as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP™). 

If you are interested in exploring the idea of starting therapy, I usually find it works best if we meet for an initial consultation. The initial consultation is an opportunity to find out more about your current difficulties, and to ask any further questions you may have about starting therapy. Should we both feel that a therapeutic intervention would be useful, we would then agree details for further sessions, including future dates, session fees, any other practicalities we might need to consider. The initial meeting is usually for around 50 minutes and charged at £90. 

Alternatively, should you wish to schedule an initial call first, we can arrange an introductory phone call to talk through some of the logistical aspects of starting therapy and what brings you. 

Additional Information

Qualifications

I trained as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at Goldsmiths College, University of London and the University of Greenwich, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in 2002, followed by an MSc in 2005.

In addition to this, I also completed a three year training in Somatic Experiencing® in 2024, and am a qualified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, accredited by the European Association for Somatic Experiencing® (EASE). 

Somatic Experiencing® is a somatic based approach which focuses  on the healing of stress and trauma related conditions. It is based on the understanding that trauma can become stored in the body, leading to various physical and emotional symptoms, and focuses on working with the nervous system. 

Fees

My standard fee for regular sessions is £90. I also offer reduced fees for students and people on lower incomes, so if this applies to you, then please don’t hesitate to ask. 

I am also an approved provider for a range of private health insurance providers, including AXA Health, Vitality, WPA, Cigna, Aviva and BUPA Global. Whilst my private work tends to be long-term, this work by its nature tends to be time limited.