Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Coaching for Personal Growth and Well-Being
Hello there. Are you looking for someone to talk things through with? Welcome to my page. My name is Sorcha, a fully trained, qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, who can also incorporate useful coaching approaches for practical support.
I provide support for a wide range of concerns and difficulties that many of us face in our lives, including stress, anxiety, depression, and more. These are part of what makes us human. Here, I’m ready to listen carefully, offering you understanding, compassion, and down-to-earth support in a safe, confidential space.
Reasons for Seeking Counselling and Psychotherapy
You may be considering therapy for any number of reasons. Here are some of the more common challenges people bring to our sessions:
• Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Therapy can support you if you’re dealing with persistent low mood, anxiety, or high levels of stress. Working together, we can explore patterns in your thoughts and behaviours that may be contributing to your distress, aiming to build resilience and improve emotional regulation.
• Worry, Anxiety, and Panic: It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by constant worry, feelings of nervousness, or panic. Therapy offers a space to explore the roots of these emotions and build coping strategies to help you feel more grounded.
• Life Challenges and Uncertainty: When life feels rocky or unstable, therapy can help you find clarity and grounding. Whether you’re dealing with a major life transition or feeling unsure of the future, I provide a supportive space where you can explore what’s happening with compassion and curiosity.
• Work Difficulties and Overwhelm: Many people struggle with work pressures, strained working relationships, or feeling overwhelmed in their professional lives. Therapy can be a helpful way to explore these challenges, develop healthier boundaries, and navigate stress.
• Relationship Issues and Communication Difficulties: Relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, often bring up unique challenges. Whether you’re dealing with a fragile partnership, complex family dynamics, or communication struggles with colleagues, therapy can provide insight and techniques for improving these connections.
• Sleep and Tiredness: Many people find that stress or anxiety impacts their ability to sleep, which can lead to fatigue and low energy. We can work together to explore sleep challenges and establish routines that help promote restful, restorative sleep.
• Self-Esteem and Self-Image Issues: Therapy can help if you’re grappling with negative self-perceptions, shame, or body image concerns. Together, we can explore what’s behind these feelings, build self-compassion, and work towards a more affirming relationship with yourself.
• Habits or Behaviours That Are Hard to Stop: You might be struggling with eating, drinking, or other behaviors that feel difficult to control. Therapy provides a non-judgmental space to explore these patterns, looking at their underlying causes and exploring ways to loosen their grip on you.
• Bereavement and Loss: Loss comes in many forms, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another significant change. Therapy can help you process and find a way through grief, especially if it has left you feeling alone or adrift.
ADHD and Neurodiversity
ADHD affects many aspects of life, and it’s often misunderstood, especially in adults. We live in a time when ADHD is being recognized in people of all ages, from twenties to seventies and beyond. Yet, many adults feel isolated in their experience or have felt that traditional therapy approaches don’t fully understand their unique challenges.
As someone with lived experience of ADHD, I understand the frustration that can come from trying to “manage” or “fix” it. Therapy for ADHD isn’t about finding a cure; rather, it’s about finding ways to navigate life that work for you. Therapy can be a place to explore strategies that respect your unique neurodiversity while building resilience and self-compassion.
If you’ve felt criticised or dismissed, or struggled to keep up with societal expectations, therapy can offer a supportive space to understand your experiences and focus on what does work for you. My approach integrates practical and relational therapies, such as Transactional Analysis (T.A.) and Non-Violent Communication (NVC), to support you in developing communication and coping skills. We also focus on strength-based strategies that recognize and build on your existing skills.
ADHD can bring executive function challenges- organising tasks, managing time, and focusing can feel especially difficult. Together, we can work on practical steps like routines and methods that fit naturally into your life, helping you move from a place of frustration to one of self-compassion. We may look at reframing your relationship with ADHD from one of struggle to one of greater understanding and acceptance.
Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
Living with ADHD or any other challenge often requires a deep sense of self-compassion. Therapy is a space to cultivate this compassion, allowing you to let go of the need to fit into a “normal” shape. You don’t have to strive to “fix” yourself- instead, therapy offers a chance to explore ways to support yourself in ways that feel authentic to you. We’ll work on understanding your unique traits and strengths, reframing self-blame and moving towards self-acceptance.
I know that it can be easy to fall into self-criticism when you feel like you’re not meeting expectations. Therapy offers a path forward that allows you to forgive yourself for being different, and instead, embrace your unique journey.
Working Through Daily Challenges
In our sessions, we’ll look at ways to incorporate small, achievable changes into your daily life. Whether it’s through building routines that work with your energy levels or finding ways to break down overwhelming tasks, therapy can provide strategies that make life more manageable, one step at a time.
Together, we can develop practical techniques that make daily tasks feel more attainable, from organisation to time management. With compassion and support, we can work towards building a life that feels sustainable and true to who you are.
Therapeutic Approaches I Use
My approach is integrative, meaning I draw on multiple therapeutic methods to best support each client’s unique needs. Here are a few key elements of the way I work:
• Transactional Analysis (T.A.): T.A. is a depth cognitive behavioural approach that looks at the impact of past relationships on present behaviours. We use it to understand relational dynamics and develop clear communication in all areas of life, including family, friendships, and romantic relationships.
• Non-Violent Communication (NVC): NVC is a gentle, relationship-centred approach to communication that promotes empathy and understanding. Developed by Marshall Rosenberg, it offers tools for assertiveness and conflict resolution. In therapy, we can use NVC to help you feel more heard- including by yourself- and others.
• Strength-Based Therapy: Many adults with ADHD have developed creative ways to navigate challenges. A strength-based approach celebrates your successes and helps identify what works best for you. By focusing on strengths, we build a foundation for growth, resilience, and personal development.
• Affective Neuroscience: This approach, based on the work of Jaak Panksepp, emphasises understanding the emotional instincts that drive us. Through it, we gain insight into why we feel the way we do, often finding clarity and self-compassion in the process. Understanding our instincts can help us find balance between conflicting feelings and foster greater self-acceptance.
Additional Areas of Support
ADHD and its challenges often overlap with other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and executive functioning deficits. Therapy can provide a space to explore these connections holistically, ensuring that all aspects of your well-being are taken into account.
Together, we can explore:
• Anxiety and Panic: Many with ADHD also experience anxiety, leading to restlessness, worry, and difficulty concentrating. Therapy can address these feelings in a way that is mindful of ADHD’s impact on emotional well-being.
• Depression: Low mood, fatigue, and lack of motivation often intersect with ADHD. Recognizing this relationship allows us to address both the emotional and practical effects.
• Challenges including dyslexia are frequently associated with ADHD. Therapy can provide support in understanding and working with your unique learning style.
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): RSD is a common experience for individuals with ADHD, where perceived rejection can feel overwhelming. Therapy can help foster management for emotional intensity, developing resilience, and building a positive self-image.
• Emotional Dysregulation: If you feel that emotions change quickly or intensely, therapy can provide a safe space to explore these experiences and develop greater emotional stability.
A Collaborative, Compassionate Path Forward
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for ADHD or any other challenge. Together, we will approach your well-being holistically, exploring ways to integrate therapy with other aspects of your life, including professional support networks if helpful.
I am here to walk alongside you, supporting your unique journey with empathy and understanding. Therapy is about learning to live in a way that feels right for you- embracing your strengths and acknowledging challenges, while building a more compassionate relationship with yourself. You don’t have to face these struggles alone. Please reach out if you’re ready to explore this path together.
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I'm here to offer you a safe and supportive space as we navigate the challenges you're facing.
You are not alone, and I am here to offer my support every step of the way. When you're ready, reach out to me. You deserve support, understanding, and a brighter future. I will be honoured to walk with you on your path to healing.
If you have any further questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to ask.
I offer psychotherapy, counselling, and therapeutic coaching services convenient for various locations in North West London including Gospel Oak, South-End Green, Belsize Park, Hampstead, Dartmouth Park, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town, Camden, (NW3, NW5, NW8, NW1, N1, N7)
and, or online.
I offer psychotherapy, counselling, and therapeutic coaching services for North West London, including Gospel Oak, South-End Green, Belsize Park, Hampstead, Dartmouth Park, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town, Camden, (NW3, NW5, NW8, NW1, N1, N7)
. I can also offer online sessions.