Samara Lewis

Currently offering ONLINE ONLY

More face to face sessions available from December 2026

I am a UKCP-registered Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience working with adults in private practice, higher education and NHS settings.

Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked as a doctor in hospital settings and as a GP. This combination of psychological and medical training has given me a broad perspective on mental health and particular experience of understanding the ways in which psychological and physical wellbeing can interact.

My initial psychotherapy training was in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This approach offers a way of understanding how our early relationships and experiences can shape patterns of feeling, thinking and relating later in life. Exploring these patterns can help us develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and create new possibilities for change.

Since qualifying, I have undertaken additional training in elements of CBT, systemic approaches and EMDR therapy. These approaches broaden the lens through which I understand and work with psychological difficulties. They also support a trauma-informed approach, including an understanding of how experiences of stress and trauma can leave the nervous system feeling overwhelmed.

I aim to offer a thoughtful, collaborative and compassionate space in which difficulties can be explored at a pace that feels manageable, while drawing on different therapeutic perspectives according to each person's individual needs.

I offer a warm, thoughtful and relational approach to therapy, providing a safe and boundaried space where you can explore what is happening in your life and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences.

My practice is primarily psychodynamic. Alongside what is happening for you in the present, we may explore how earlier experiences, relationships and ways of relating have shaped who you are today. Together, we can consider patterns of thinking, feeling and responding that may once have been helpful but are now creating difficulties. My aim is to understand these patterns with you rather than simply trying to change or eliminate them.

The therapeutic relationship is an important part of this work. I offer warmth, empathy and genuine curiosity alongside clear professional boundaries. Feeling understood and accepted can provide a foundation for exploring experiences that may feel difficult, painful or confusing. Where appropriate, I may also gently challenge perspectives or patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

While my core approach is psychodynamic, I draw on additional approaches including CBT, mindfulness and EMDR where these may be helpful. These can support emotional regulation, overwhelming thoughts and feelings, and the processing of distressing or traumatic experiences. I integrate these approaches thoughtfully according to your individual needs.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. I work collaboratively with you to understand what is happening, both in the here and now and within the wider context of your life. We will work at a pace that feels manageable, while maintaining a clear and purposeful therapeutic framework.

The first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and to develop a shared understanding of what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life.

I will use this initial session as an assessment, exploring what you are currently experiencing, what may be troubling or difficult for you and what you hope to gain from therapy. There will be space to talk about the circumstances that have led you to seek support now, as well as any concerns, questions, or expectations you may have about the therapeutic process.

I will also seek to understand you within the wider context of your life. This may include exploring your relationships and family life, home and living circumstances, work or education, friendships and other sources of support, as well as significant experiences or changes that may be relevant to how you are feeling now. My aim is not simply to focus on a particular difficulty or symptom, but to gain a sense of you as a whole person and how different aspects of your life may be affecting one another.

There will also be an opportunity to consider your existing strengths, resources, coping strategies, and the ways in which you make sense of your experiences. Together, we can begin to identify what feels most important for you to explore and where therapy might be helpful.

The first session is not about having to tell me everything or arrive with a clear understanding of what is wrong. It is a starting point — a chance to pause, reflect on where things are now, and begin to make sense of what has brought you to therapy. We will go at a pace that feels manageable, with the intention of creating a safe, respectful and non-judgemental space in which you can begin to explore yourself and your experiences.

I have availability on  Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays for face-to-face, zoom and telephone therapy. On Mondays and Tuesdays I can offer zoom sessions.

I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation which can be booked following the link below:

https://samaralewiscounselling.simplybook.it/v2/#book

My free 15 minute telephone consultation will help give you the chance to see if you feel comfortable with me and the way that I work, and to discuss how counselling may benefit you. You can ask any questions you have and together we can decide whether mine is the best counselling and therapy service for you. There is no obligation or commitment needed to attend any further sessions.

I work with adults at all stages of life, from leaving home for the first time to settling into retirement and beyond.

My initial training was in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Since then, I have also completed EMDR training, fully accredited by the EMDR Europe Association. These two approaches allow for greater integration between the body and mind, facilitating a successful therapeutic experience. I also have additional training in hypnotherapy which can prove an invaluable tool in soothing an anxious nervous system.

One of the key decisions when choosing a therapist is finding one who is the right fit for you. To help with this, I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation, which can be booked via the link below:

https://samaralewiscounselling.simplybook.it/v2/#book

My career began in the NHS, where I spent 14 years supporting individuals with a broad range of physical and emotional difficulties.

My time in hospitals and general practice led me to believe that mental health extends far beyond a diagnosis, sparking my interest in a more holistic approach to well-being. I obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Brighton University in 2016, followed by a Master's in Psychotherapy in 2018.

Alongside my private practice, I work with students in a university setting, providing short-term, focused therapy to support them through key transitional stages of life.

I have a particular interest in the impact of emotionally overwhelming life events on mental health. As such, I help my clients understand their feelings of anxiety and develop tools to manage them, while also exploring the underlying causes of their distress. In our initial meetings, we can discuss which therapeutic approach would suit you best—talking therapy, EMDR, or a combination of both.

 I am a recognised provider for BUPA, AXA, Allianz, Aviva and Vitality

Therapy is an active and collaborative process. In our sessions, we will work together to understand the factors that led you to seek support and to identify your goals for the future. For some, therapy is an opportunity to explore and transform the way they relate to themselves and others; for others, it may be a journey towards greater peace and acceptance. Once we have clarified your goals, we will move at a pace that feels comfortable and right for you.

I often use CBT and mindful techniques in our early sessions to give my client tools to cope with anxiety both in the therapy space and to use between sessions.

It is common for the initial anxiety about seeking support to evolve into a sense of relief, as you find a safe space to process complex emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. Through this exploration, you may gain deeper understanding and insight, which can help reduce the overwhelming nature of these feelings. The aim is for this calmer, more balanced state of mind to create a space in which meaningful change  can emerge; both in the way you relate to yourself and in your relationships with others.

It is important that you choose a therapist who feels like the right fit for you.

I offer a free 15 minute phone call that allows us to discuss what therapy might look like and to discuss timings for an initial assesment session.

https://samaralewiscounselling.simplybook.it/v2/#book

The initial assessment session will give a taster of what it is like to work with me and whether we feel that my approach suits your needs.

I have availability for in- person and zoom supervision on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

I have additional zoom availability on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I am UKCP  registered Psychotherapist and senior accreditation with BACP.

https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/therapist/Samara-Lewis-jy62zAAA

I trained as a clinical supervisor at The Rock Clinic in 2019. Since then, I have provided supervision to trainee therapists at both The Rock and Sussex University, as well as to qualified therapists working within these settings.

My supervision sessions are designed to enhance your therapeutic skills, encourage self-reflection, and support the development of your clinical practice in accordance with the UKCP and BACP Codes of Ethics.