Verity Lyndon-Stanford

My hours are flexible and I try to find time that suits my clients' needs. 

I am a qualified, trauma-informed integrative counsellor working with adults. I offer a warm, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can explore what is happening for you at your own pace.

My approach is relational and collaborative. I draw on person-centred, psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Transactional Analysis (TA) ideas, tailoring the work to you rather than following a one-size-fits-all model. Together, we can explore patterns, relationships, emotions and experiences that may be affecting how you feel and live now.

I work with addiction, trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, burnout, emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, loss and significant life changes. Addiction is a key area of my practice. I have experience working within an addiction recovery service and volunteering with the Addiction Treatment Programme at The Priory Hospital.

Where helpful, I also support clients to understand the psychological and physical processes involved in addiction. This can reduce guilt and shame and help create a more compassionate and sustainable path towards recovery.

I believe therapy can support greater self-understanding, emotional balance and healthier relationships. My role is not to judge or tell you what to do, but to work alongside you with care, honesty and respect as you move towards meaningful change.

My private practice offers online counselling for adults via Zoom. Sessions provide a confidential space to talk openly about what you are experiencing, whether you are facing a specific difficulty or simply feel that something in your life is not right.

You may be struggling with addiction, trauma, low mood, anxiety, stress, burnout, relationship difficulties or a major change. You may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck or unsure where to begin. You do not need to have everything clearly understood before contacting me.

I aim to provide a calm, grounded and thoughtful environment where you can feel heard and taken seriously. We will work at a pace that feels manageable, with attention to both the difficulties you are facing now and the experiences or patterns that may sit underneath them.

Before retraining as a counsellor, I worked for many years as a broker in the City of London and abroad. This gave me a first-hand understanding of the impact that long hours, pressure, responsibility and demanding professional environments can have on mental health, relationships and wellbeing.

Counselling is offered within a clear therapeutic agreement covering confidentiality and its limits, session arrangements, fees and cancellations. I work within professional and ethical boundaries, undertake regular clinical supervision and remain committed to ongoing professional development.

Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, so I offer a free initial 15-minute telephone consultation. This is an informal conversation where you can ask questions, share a little about what has brought you to therapy and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There is no obligation to continue.

If you decide to begin, our first full session will focus on understanding what is happening for you now and what you hope counselling may help with. You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. There is no expectation that you tell your whole story at once.

We will also discuss any questions or concerns you have, your previous experience of counselling where relevant, and what you would like from our work together. I will explain confidentiality and its limits, how sessions are structured, and the practical arrangements set out in the therapeutic agreement.

The first session is also an opportunity for both of us to consider whether my approach feels suitable for your needs. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship takes time, and there is no pressure to have immediate answers or clearly defined goals.

Sessions are currently offered online via Zoom and last 50 minutes. My aim is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, respected and clearer about what the next steps may be.