30 Brackenbury Rd, London W6 0BA

Est. 1983

Brackenbury Natural Health Clinic

search
Helen Batten - Counsellor and Psychotherapist Hammersmith

Helen Batten

Helen Batten  MA (Cantab) PGDIP Registered MBACP (Accredited)

I am an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist working in West London for the last fourteen years. Talking to a therapist can make sense of painful events and feelings, helping you to heal, move on and fulfil your potential. I offer a secure, confidential, non-judgemental space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace.

Why start therapy?

Often our past informs our present and determines our feelings about the future. Sometimes it can prevent us from being truly ourselves. I work with you to explore your experiences in order to better understand who you are and what you might become, to find meaning and a greater sense of purpose in life. This in turn can help to create better relationships with partners, colleagues and family and to stop repeating negative thoughts, behaviour and relationships. Whether you are struggling with a traumatic life event or a more general feeling of sadness and a lack of purpose, therapy can help.

My approach

I trained in humanistic, existential and psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy, and I like to draw on whatever seems most appropriate in each individual case. But central to my practice is creating a strong relationship with my client.

I used to work as a documentary filmmaker and I am an author, and so the importance of narrative and reframing a personal narrative is often part of my work.

I generally see you for fifty minutes, once a week. You can have either short term counselling, or longer term open-ended psychotherapy. Often it doesn’t become clear which is most appropriate until we have seen each other a few times.

To start with I offer an initial non-obligatory consultation which gives us the opportunity to meet, talk through the process, and see if I can help.

Couples

I also offer counselling for couples, providing a neutral safe space to explore issues within a relationship. Patterns of behavior and communication mean that a relationship can feel like it is ‘stuck’ or harmful, that one or both of you are not thriving within it.

Drawing on humanistic and psychodynamic approaches to therapy, we look at the triggers and pattern of responses that are damaging the relationship. The unconscious processes that attracted you to each other, your attachment styles and the childhood wounds that may be impacting negatively on the relationship. We also identify areas of strength within the relationship and map a future vision.

I work on helping a couple to communicate more effectively, understand areas of conflict, solve them peacefully, see how problems can be an opportunity for greater understanding; or to help a couple separate with integrity and acceptance if it becomes clear that this is the right path for a relationship.

My Qualifications and Experience

I qualified in counselling and psychotherapy at Roehampton University and went on to study the work of Carl Jung at the Society for Analytical Psychology.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work to their ethical guidelines.

My experience includes working as a counsellor and psychotherapist for the Tasha Foundation in Brentford and the Bush Doctors GP practice in W12. For many years I have seen people from the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society. I have worked with a large range of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, abuse, addiction, bereavement, relationships, panic disorder, eating disorders and low self-esteem.

Fees

£90/50 mins – individuals

£135/50 mins – couples

 

To make an appointment with Helen Batten please call the Brackenbury Clinic on 02087419264 or send an enquiry.Send Enquiry

Gift Vouchers Available

Order Voucher