Chantal Kennedy

I am currently accepting new clients for both in-person and online work. Please get in touch to ask about my latest availability.

Sometimes we find ourselves repeating familiar patterns, struggling in relationships, or feeling disconnected from who we are, without fully understanding why. We may recognise that something in our lives isn't working, yet find it difficult to understand what is keeping us stuck.

I am a relational psychodynamic psychotherapist offering a warm, thoughtful and confidential space in which to explore these experiences and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

I believe that our emotional lives are shaped by our earliest experiences and relationships, often in ways that remain outside our conscious awareness. The ways we have learned to relate to others, and to ourselves, can become deeply embedded, influencing how we experience the world and navigate our relationships.

My approach is psychodynamic, which means that I am interested not only in what is happening in your life now, but also in how your past experiences and unconscious feelings may be shaping your present. Together, we can begin to explore these connections, making sense of feelings, behaviours and patterns that may previously have seemed difficult to understand.

Central to my work is the belief that the therapeutic relationship itself offers an important opportunity for understanding and change. I aim to create an environment in which you feel genuinely listened to, respected and able to speak freely, without fear of judgement or expectation.

I see therapy as a collaborative process, guided by curiosity rather than assumptions. My role is not to offer advice or tell you how to live your life, but to think alongside you, helping you explore aspects of yourself that may be unfamiliar, difficult or painful.

Through this process, therapy can offer more than relief from immediate distress. It can create space for greater self-awareness, emotional freedom and the possibility of meaningful, lasting change.

Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step, particularly if you are unsure what is troubling you or find it difficult to put your feelings into words. You don't need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. Sometimes a sense that something isn't quite right is enough to begin.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. You may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, grief or a period of uncertainty or change. Perhaps you feel caught in familiar patterns, find yourself putting other people's needs before your own or experience feelings that seem difficult to understand or express. You may also be interested in exploring yourself more deeply, without necessarily having a particular problem you want to resolve.

Sessions offer a regular, dedicated time to reflect on your experiences, relationships and feelings. Some weeks you may arrive with something particular on your mind; at other times, you may not know where to begin. Both are welcome. Over time, our conversations may reveal connections and ways of relating that have previously been difficult to recognise.

I offer a space where difficult feelings can be explored without pressure to find immediate answers. Therapy can take time, and we will work at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Taking the first step can feel daunting, and I welcome enquiries from anyone considering whether therapy might be helpful for them.

Please visit my website to find out more about my practice.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to meet, explore what has brought you to therapy and think together about what you hope to gain from it. I'll ask a little about your current circumstances and relevant background, but there is no expectation that you share everything straight away.

It's also a chance for you to ask questions, get a sense of how I work and consider whether you feel comfortable working with me. Finding the right therapist is important, and there is no obligation to continue.

I offer an initial consultation at a reduced fee of **£50**, allowing you the space to decide whether working together feels right for you.