We cannot deny that our national attention toward mental health has grown significantly, reflecting an important societal shift. This has translated into an increased accessibility of mental health options, via the NHS and private practice providers. Bromley and Chislehurst residents who seek out private practice can perhaps look for a specific therapist that resonates with them and the type of therapy that meets their needs. It is worth pointing out that GP and local service options should always be explored, and that is the only option for clinical-level issues.
Clients I see fall into the broad camps of subclinical and just about surviving and those who are struggling and have been through the GP route with no identifiable clinical-level explanations, but their problems persist. In private practice, we carry out an assessment to look for contraindications, which if present would suggest clients being sign-posted to see their GP. This is necessary to rule out underlying health conditions. The other thing we need to be mindful of is what else is going on in the potential client’s life that may hinder or delay starting a series of sessions. This is just to illustrate, that private practice is not always an open-seat option.
Getting caught up in the motivation to help clients, quickly
It is sometimes easy to get caught up as therapists, in the motivation to start work and help someone achieve their goals when the wise thing to do is to put a pause or check in before beginning therapy with a client. I too got caught up in one idea to begin a series of sessions with a client who revealed they were breaking for a trip 3-4 weeks down the line. It was workable with the gap filled by remote homework, but it was a reminder that solutions can only be found, as long as these things are highlighted and discussed.
This applies to a client seeing someone else for therapy at the same time, this has happened once to me, when this came up, logic dictates that 1 therapist has the autonomy and does not have to co-compete with another therapist at the same time. This would only work if the client is working with 2 people on 2 separate and distinct issues and has the mental and emotional capacity to balance that, and even then would require some level of communication between the 2 sides, especially if there are 2 different approaches to therapy. I think if this situation crops up again I would be quicker in identifying the need to delay, albeit it took 60 minutes to reach that conclusion when it did come up, but now I know I will feedback that answer straight away.
The reason we get caught up, as therapists is because we are already engaging in the client’s story and their urgency for help, we go into solution mode. Ok so you are going on this trip, do you think this would bring up major challenges on this trip, ‘yes’, will you have internet in your hotel room ‘Yes’, would you like to schedule 60 minutes online in the evening from the hotel ‘well that would work’. Similar to working with another therapist, what are you working on with the other therapist, may I ask? ‘Public Speaking’ ok so stress and anxiety will peak in demand-driven situations, we cannot isolate that, so my advice would be to finish the therapy you are on, and maybe schedule a catch-up call down the line. ‘Thank you I will do that’. Solution-focused therapy does not always mean you need to provide therapy to reach a solution agreement.
At the end of the day, private practice should not be like a convenience store where anything goes, I certainly understand when we as therapists tune into the client’s story we are already seeing a pathway ahead, but we also need to balance that with the other factors that may hinder success.
What Rat Race?
Living in Greater London, including this borough of Bromley, Chislehurst, Bexley, etc, comes with its own set of daily life pressures, from the pace of life to the balance of work and personal time. Are these things any higher in Greater London than a few miles out in Kent for example? When I was working in the city, I remember once going to a week-long professional training centre near Liverpool Street station. I remember out of the 20 on this course, I was the only Londoner. Not only a Londoner but a Londoner who commuted from Zone 3 to the city each day. What I noticed was a reflection of the rat race by everyone else, except me, with it came this almost hypnotic state of needing to bolt out the door to get out on the trains as soon as possible. Welcome to the rat race, I never knew existed.
As awareness and understanding of mental health grow, so does the pursuit of effective therapeutic options. In Bromley, I run a private practice in a very large Victorian Building, moments from the heart of Bromley, providing Cognitive Behavioural hypnotherapy. These therapies cater to a variety of needs, helping individuals navigate the complexities of modern life in a way that best suits their mental health requirements
Therapist Former Investment Banking Analyst
My interest in working within the stress and anxiety domain is formed from my former career of working in investment banking. I started getting involved in learning more about therapeutic strategies halfway through my banking career as a means to control anxiety and keep stress levels manageable.
Banking professionals face high levels of stress and pressure. Meeting targets, managing difficult customers, both internally within the organisation and externally, and building that flexibility, growth mindset, and resilient levels of coping.
Thankfully, therapy can be an effective way to help some who find the daily grind challenging, if you feel yourself becoming more overwhelmed by stress and anxiety in your life, job, etc. the do consider reaching out using the contacts on this page
What is Talking Therapy?
What is Talking Therapy? is an essential question for individuals seeking mental health support. As a prominent local Therapy Practice, talking therapy, also known as psychotherapy, provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to explore their emotions, thoughts, and concerns. By offering personalised therapy sessions, we aim to address the specific mental health needs of our local residents and provide them with effective therapeutic interventions tailored to their well-being and personal growth.
At the Boghangar practice, I take a multi-modal approach to therapy, that combines elements of counseling, project management, and applying some of the best evidence-based Cognitive and Behavioural strategies. combined with hypnotherapy, which is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis. To tail off the approach, relaxation strategies such as mindfulness can be drawn on. Sessions typically run from 6 to 8 sessions and include homework. All I ask is commitment and motivation, which is why I love working with banking professionals, because these attributes you have in abundance, but don’t worry, if you feel that side is lost somewhere, in therapy we will re-light your inner voice.
In summary, talking therapy is a type of therapy that involves speaking with a trained professional, in this case, me, about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It’s a form of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals understand their emotions and develop coping strategies to deal with them. Each type of therapy has its own approach and techniques, but they all share the common goal of helping individuals improve their mental health. With the approach I adopt, you are not getting one form of therapy, it’s a combination of 4 core types + relaxation.
Why is Talking Therapy Beneficial for Professionals?
The workplace creates challenges that can contribute to anxiety and stress. For example, customer-facing employees may deal with difficult customers who are unhappy with their service or have financial concerns. They may also be responsible for meeting targets, which can create pressure to perform. Employees may feel they are being overlooked for promotion, and their input undervalued. They have changed careers which now looks like a step backwards. The combination of challenges we face in the workplace is limitless.
Talking therapy can be beneficial for banking professionals for several reasons. First, it provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who are hesitant to share their struggles with colleagues or friends.
Second, talking therapy can help individuals develop coping strategies to manage their anxiety. This can include techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and cognitive restructuring. These strategies can be applied in the workplace and in other areas of life, helping individuals to better manage their emotions.
Finally, talking therapy can help individuals identify and address the root causes of their anxiety. This may include unresolved personal issues, work-related stressors, or other factors that are contributing to their anxiety. By addressing these underlying issues, individuals can work towards long-term solutions and a greater sense of well-being.
What to Expect Therapy in Bromley
If you’re considering talking therapy for anxiety, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous or unsure about what to expect. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect during a typical therapy session:
Intake assessment: During your first session, we will explore your story, for some this is the first time someone has listened to the whole story.
Based on your intake assessment, we both agree on a set of goals and objectives for therapy. This may include a combination of different therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy approaches, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises.
You’ll typically have regular sessions, during these sessions, you’ll discuss your progress, practice new coping strategies, and work towards your treatment goals.
As you continue with therapy, your therapist will regularly evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. This may involve trying different techniques or strategies to find what works best for you.
Closing Thoughts and Reach out if you need to
Anxiety can be a challenging issue to deal with, especially in the fast-paced, high-stress environment of the banking industry. I am a former City Analyst, having worked at the Coal Face for more than 2 decades. I now work with professionals in my Therapy Practice. Therapy can help you manage work stress and lead a healthier, happier life. By providing a safe and confidential space to talk, helping you identify the sources of stress and areas of building core resilience. If this is something that could be of help to you, please reach out using the contacts on this page.
