Desmond Channer

I am available on Monday's & Saturdays as well as evenings during the week. I am not available from Tuesday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm

I am able to offer focused, short-term counselling as well as in-depth, long-term therapy at comfortable consulting rooms in Woodford (North East London) and Chancery lane (Central London) and I also work from my home in Chingford as well as offer zoom based counselling if required.

I offer dedicated support to individuals facing difficulties that cause distress and can help with most emotional and psychological issues. I work with adolescents as well as adults of all ages, cultural backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

My demeanour is warm, empathic and supportive and for some, I simply provide a much-needed opportunity to be received, heard and understood. I feel this approach provides my clients the opportunity to find solutions to their problems and I am of the firm belief that if I can accommodate my clients in an empathetic, non-judgemental way, you will experience our therapeutic relationship in a way that will better facilitate the exploration of your concerns.  

My approach is based on the understanding that difficult experiences can affect the way we think, feel and behave. I have studied humanistic, psychodynamic, attachment, and cognitive concepts and methods of treatment, which allows me to understand my clients from a variety of perspectives. 

I aim to provide people with a safe and confidential space where they can explore difficulties and concerns, as well as desires and aspirations

Upon receipt of a request for counselling, I will respond within one working day and I can usually meet within a week. I start with an initial consultation where your reasons for seeking help are discussed. 

Our initial meeting will consist of an assessment where I will seek to understand your issues and also request some background information in order to better understand you as a person. This appointment gives both parties a chance to get a sense of compatibility and there is no obligation to continue working together. 

If you decide to work with me, we can agree to move forward in principle. At this point I will recommend we work for six sessions (with a view to extend if requested by you), twelve sessions or open-ended therapy (dependant on your circumstances).

Once we have agreed a way of working together, we will begin on an agreed date and time, usually in the form of a weekly, 50-minute session held at the same time and place every week. 

Towards the end of our work together, there is an opportunity to review the progress of your counselling by considering either a continuation of your counselling or working towards an agreed ending.