Liessa Callaghan

I currently have some availability for individual clinical supervision. Sessions are available online throughout the UK and face-to-face in Epsom or Banstead, subject to availability. Small-group supervision for up to three practitioners may also be available by arrangement.

I am a psychodynamic counsellor and qualified clinical supervisor. My supervision practice is informed by psychodynamic and relational thinking, the Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision and the Integrated Developmental Model (IDM).

Before qualifying as a counsellor, I worked in education for over 30 years as a teacher, SENCO and senior leader. I subsequently taught counselling students from Levels 2 to 6, supporting trainees with skills development, reflective learning, ethical thinking and the integration of theory with client work.

I offer supportive, reflective and collaborative clinical supervision for qualified and newly qualified counsellors, counsellors in training and psychotherapists.

I see supervision as a shared space in which we can think deeply about clients, therapeutic relationships, professional development and the impact of the work on you as a practitioner. This may include exploring client presentations, unconscious and relational dynamics, transference and countertransference, ethical dilemmas, professional boundaries, safeguarding, diversity and difference, and your developing clinical identity.

I aim to provide a relationship in which supervisees feel safe enough to bring uncertainty and explore difficult thoughts or feelings without fear of judgement. Alongside support and containment, I offer curiosity and thoughtful challenge. My intention is not to tell you how to work, but to help you develop confidence in your own clinical judgement and a therapeutic identity that feels authentic to you.

My clinical interests include childhood trauma and emotional neglect, attachment and relationship difficulties, anxiety, shame and self-criticism, neurodiversity including autism and ADHD, emotional overwhelm and nervous system dysregulation, identity and self-esteem, and work with young people and adults.

Choosing a supervisor is an important professional decision, and the quality of the relationship often matters as much as qualifications or theoretical approach.

Our initial conversation provides an opportunity to discuss your current work, stage of development, supervision requirements and what you are hoping for from supervision. It also gives you a chance to experience how I work and consider whether my approach feels right for you. There is no obligation to continue if either of us feels that another supervisory arrangement would be more suitable.

I am currently opening up a limited number of regular weekly counselling appointments from the end of June. If you would like to enquire about availability, please feel free to get in touch.

You may be seeking counselling because you feel anxious, low, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand. Often people come without a clear reason for how they feel, only a sense that something doesn’t feel settled, or that they have been holding things together for a long time.

I am an experienced psychodynamic counsellor, working with adults and young people. I offer a calm, reflective space where thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be explored at a pace that feels manageable for you. My approach is trauma-informed and attentive to how emotional difficulties are shaped through past experiences, particularly within relationships, and how these continue to affect life in the present.

Psychodynamic counselling is not about quick solutions. It offers time and space to think more deeply about patterns, emotional responses, and ways of coping that may have developed over time. Sessions provide a confidential setting where feelings can be explored openly, including those that may feel confusing, uncomfortable, or hard to put into words.

I work in a way that is collaborative and respectful, starting wherever you are. I am a registered member of the BACP, work in line with their ethical framework, and have regular supervision. I also undertake ongoing professional development to support safe and effective practice.

Many people consider counselling when emotional or relational difficulties begin to feel increasingly hard to manage alone. This may include anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, feelings of disconnection, or a sense of repeating patterns. You may have coped for a long time before reaching out.

In our work together, sessions offer a regular, confidential space to reflect on what is happening for you. Over the first few weeks, people often describe a sense of relief in having somewhere they do not need to manage things alone. Feeling heard and understood can be an important first step, even if clarity does not come straight away.

Over time, some people begin to notice greater awareness of their emotional responses, patterns in relationships, or ways they have learned to cope. This can support feeling more grounded, less self-critical, and more able to pause rather than react. Any changes tend to develop gradually and at an individual pace.

Psychodynamic counselling is flexible and can be adapted to individual needs. I work in a trauma-informed way and have experience working with neurodivergent adults and young people who wish to explore how neurodiversity shapes their sense of self and relationships.

I offer face-to-face counselling in Epsom and Banstead, as well as online sessions across the UK.

Starting counselling can feel daunting, especially if you are unsure what you want to talk about. You do not need to have everything worked out before beginning.

I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation, which gives you an opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no obligation to continue after this call.

Your first full session is 50 minutes and is an opportunity to begin exploring what has brought you to counselling. We will talk about what feels important for you to share, how counselling might help, and practical arrangements such as session times and boundaries. There is no formal assessment, and you are not expected to disclose anything you are not ready to talk about.

Sessions are usually weekly and last 50 minutes. Fees are £65 per session, payable weekly on the day of your appointment. A limited number of concessionary spaces are available for counsellors in training.

If you are considering counselling, you are welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation to see whether this feels like the right space for you.