Lynn Strathdee

My work is psychoanalytic in orientation and informed by psychodynamic and object relations thinking. In our work together we focus not only on your current difficulties, but also in the unconscious processes and early relational experiences that shape how you experience yourself and others.

In our work together, we may explore attachment patterns, internalised relationships, self-concept and identity, emotional defences, and recurring relational themes. I pay close attention to what develops within the therapeutic relationship itself, as this can provide important insight into long-standing ways of relating and into aspects of experience that may be difficult to articulate.

I work in a way that values curiosity, reflection, and emotional depth. My aim is to support deeper self-understanding and lasting change by creating space for thoughts and feelings to be explored, understood, and integrated over time.

Alongside my psychodynamic orientation, my work is informed by an ongoing interest in philosophy and phenomenology, which supports a focus on lived experience and meaning as these are experienced in the present. I encourage my clients' curiosity about their experience of themselves and the world, using philosophical perspectives to normalise and explore what it means to be human.

I work online, face to face or hybrid, with adults in ongoing, weekly psychotherapy. I offer a safe and reflective space in which to explore emotional difficulties, relationship patterns, and experiences that may feel confusing, painful, or hard to change.

I work with clients who are dealing with a wide range of difficulties. I have particular experience supporting people who have experienced relationship abuse, including those who are beginning to recognise abuse, those considering leaving a relationship, and those processing the emotional impact after a relationship has ended. I understand how complex and emotionally conflicted these situations can be, and I work in a way that respects your pace, your autonomy, and the reality of your circumstances.

Alongside this, I also work with clients whose concerns are not primarily relationship-focused, including anxiety, low mood, difficulties with self-esteem, questions of identity, and life transitions.

Sessions take place weekly and are open-ended. Therapy with me is collaborative and thoughtful, with an emphasis on developing understanding over time rather than offering quick solutions.

The first session is an initial assessment session. This is a chance for us to meet and begin to think together about what has brought you to therapy and what you may be hoping for from the work.

During this session, I will usually ask about your current difficulties, relevant personal and relational history, and any previous experience of therapy or support. This helps me to build a fuller picture of your situation and to consider whether I am the right therapist, with the appropriate experience and approach, to support you.

The assessment is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of how it feels to work with me. You may wish to notice whether you feel able to speak openly, how you experience the space, and whether my way of working feels like a good fit for you. There is no expectation that you decide anything immediately.

If we decide together to continue, sessions usually take place weekly and are open-ended. If it becomes clear that I am not the right person to work with you, I will discuss this with you and, where possible, suggest alternative options.