Harriet Doward

I have availability for couples and individuals.  

I offer sessions between the hours of 9am and 7pm from Monday to Thursday.

Do you keep falling into the same patterns, in relationships, at work or with yourself, and don’t understand why?

I'm a BACP therapist working with individuals and couples in central St Albans and online. Noticing patterns is one of my strengths, and I can help you understand where yours originated, working at your own pace and without blame.

I have lived experience of both boarding school and neurodivergence, personally and in my family, and I've done CPD training in both.  You don't need a diagnosis to work with me: many people come wondering whether they might be neurodivergent, and that is a welcome place to start.

My couples training was led by Nick Duffell, whose work on the impact of boarding school is widely known, with a particular focus on the "survival strategies" we develop young in order to cope. My couple work explores the relationships and environments you grew up in and how this impacts your relationships in the present.

In my practice, I work with anxiety, depression, self-harm, post-natal depression, addiction, trauma, relationship issues and difficult family dynamics. Sensitivity and understanding is key, which is why building a strong connection between therapist and client is crucial.  Making a commitment to counselling is a potentially life-changing decision which requires courage and trust.

I work with adults and over 18, offering both individual and couples counselling.  

Individual Therapy Fees - £70 (50 minutes)

Couples Therapy Fees - £100 (60 minutes)

Generally clients commit to weekly sessions although there is flexibility.

My approach is rooted in Gestalt therapy, a humanistic approach that explores how past experiences and unfinished business shape the way we think, feel and respond now. I'll support you and, where it helps, gently invite you to notice what is happening in the moment

I have been working in private practice for almost five years.  Training includes:

Professional Diploma in Counselling - The Albany Centre

Two Year course in Creative Couple Work - The Centre for Gender Psychology. Course led by Nick Duffell

CPD Training - Working with Boarding School Survivors - help4exboarders

CPD Training - Boarding School Syndrome - the psychological trauma of "privileged" children - OnScience / Joy Schaverien

CPD Training - The Forgotten Teenager - a Gestalt approach - AlanTalkUnlimited

CPD Training - The Five Losing Strategies - Terry Real

CPD Training - Understanding & Working with Neurodiversity - BACP

Additional CPD training on: Clients at risk of suicide, Self Harm, Adolescent and Adult Mental Health PTSD and Trauma.

Our first session will focus on why you are seeking therapy and why now. The drive to ask for help often comes at a time when difficulties from your past begin to surface and cause problems in the present. It takes courage and a willingness on your part to want to explore together and make a commitment to the journey even when things feel hard. My role is to make you feel safe and supported to do this.

I offer a free 15 minute consultation by telephone or video to give you the opportunity to ask me any questions and decide if you would like us to work together.

Please contact me to find a time.