Hannah Dolby

I offer in person and remote appointments between 9 - 4pm on Tuesdays from my room in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire.

I am available remotely from 9.30am - 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

I am an approved therapist with AXA, Vitality, Aviva and WPA

No evenings or weekend availability.

Hi,

My name is Hannah and I am an Existential Psychotherapist.

What does this mean? Existential therapy is focused on exploring your individual experiences, thoughts, emotions and patterns of behaviour through compassionate and empathetic conversation. I am interested in exploring who you are - right now - and how you came to be who you are through the decisions and choices made along the way. As an existential therapist I am interested in the freedom you have (or don't have), the choices you make (or don't make) and the responsibility you have (or don't have) in your life and how these factors are impacting you. It is a dialogue between us and I hope to build a safe and trusting relationship with you to explore whatever is causing you distress in your life. I am non judgemental, empathetic and patient - I can be challenging too - but I do this with kindness and compassion.

Existential therapy accepts that there will be anxiety and suffering in life - we cannot be and feel happy all the time - that is not a realistic goal for any of us! Together we can work through what is causing you difficulty, pain or suffering, and explore how we might move forward with it, and find ways to bring more fulfillment, purpose or enjoyment to your life along the way too. Perhaps you have suffered a significant loss, a bereavement, a life change, a new diagnosis, are unhappy at work or, perhaps you do not know what is causing your unhappiness. That is OK too.

Existential therapy does not use rigid tools, techniques and homework in the way a therapy like CBT might do. However, no one type of therapy has all the answers, and so where there are tools or techniques that might benefit you, I will incorporate those. And if I think another type of therapy might better serve what you are looking for, I will always be honest with you and you can always be honest with me.

If you think that I might be the right therapist for you then I am really looking forward to working together soon.

Please email or text in the first instance and we can arrange to speak by telephone/video. 

Typically sessions are weekly at the same time, however when I have the space to be flexible I can try to accommodate this.

I can provide home visits in the West Essex/East Hertfordshire Area (around 15-20 minutes from Harlow by car or train). This would be at an increased rate to take account of the travel time and petrol/train.

I offer concessionary rates for remote sessions for students and those on benefits/low income - I will need proof of this before our first session and this will be reviewed every 6 months.

I am happy to work with anything you wish to bring, however I have significant experience in working with career/work difficulties, bereavement, chronic and long term illness, reproductive health (including abortion, miscarriage and menopause), perinatal mental health, student mental health, neurodivergence (ADHD and autism), exploring your identity, thoughts of suicide and feeling in crisis.

I work with the long term impact of sexual assault or abuse (childhood or adult), however if you feel you may have PTSD and are experiencing significant symptoms (such as 'dissociation' or 'flashbacks') then this is not my primary area of expertise.

I offer £40 concessions to students (in higher education or psychotherapy trainees), those on low incomes an anyone claiming benefits (including on statutory maternity pay)

When you are paying for therapy it is important to make sure you are happy and comfortable!

If you would like to speak on the telephone we can have a 15 minute chat free of charge, or get in touch by email with any questions.

I am passionate in helping people get the most from therapy and I will always be honest and give suggestions if I feel a different therapy might have more impact on the way you are feeling.