Caroline Payton

I currently offer sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

At one time or another, any one of us can find ourselves facing emotional difficulty or distress. This can feel overwhelming, whether it's a sudden crisis or the re-appearance of a more entrenched familiar pattern. Finding a way through on one's own can be hard, but talking to someone who isn't directly involved can be helpful.  You may struggle to put into words your inner experience.  As a counsellor, I listen attentively, and help you to understand and make connections within yourself at a deeper emotional level.  Such insights are not only freeing, but also help to establish a stronger sense of the person you are and are becoming. 

I have over 25 years experience in counselling, initially in the Voluntary Sector, and later in the NHS, both in the Mental Health Services and in Primary Care.

My practice is in a Victorian house in a residential street in Streatham Hill. There are three steps up to the front door.  There is free parking and numerous public transport routes.  

My counselling room is on the first floor with one main flight of stairs, and one very short one. There is no lift.  

In the current Covid19 circumstances, I am seeing existing clients either online or by phone.  I would not normally start working with new clients without seeing them face to face, and only in special circumstances would then see them online or by phone. For any new clients starting during these current circumstances, it would be on the understanding that sessions would move to face-to-face as soon as safe to do so and supported by government and professional guidelines.

An initial consultation to discuss your situation is a good way to get started, whether you are looking for a few sessions to explore a particular problem, or for longer term work.  This is an opportunity for you to tell me about yourself, and for us to think about how counselling could help you.  Also, importantly, it gives you a chance to get an idea of how I work and see if you would feel comfortable working with me. If you decide to go ahead, we would arrange a series of regular weekly sessions. [Because I am nearing retirement, I no longer offer long-term open-ended contracts.]

I have been qualified as a supervisor for 7 years, and offer a psychodynamic approach.  I supervise groups at a voluntary counselling service, and also offer one-to-one supervision through my private practice.