Get to know us - Dr Lara Lopes de Jesus

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist registered with the BPS and HCPC. I completed my training at the University of Roehampton and have over 12 years experience working with a wide range of issues. I have worked across different settings such as NHS primary and secondary care, third sector organisations and in private practice supporting adults and couples.

I am an integrative practitioner which means I draw from different theoretical approaches. I work mainly within a psychodynamic framework and I am particularly interested in contemporary psychoanalytic theory and models of practice, specifically mentalization-based therapy, and their application to attachment disorders. Despite my primary interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy, I make use of various models of therapy in my practice that I have been exposed to throughout my training and clinical experience, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Solution Focused, and Systemic.

I believe psychological problems are seldom caused by just one source or situation, and that therefore a variety of strategies may be useful for achieving the desired outcome. I work collaboratively with my clients and I see the quality of the working relationship as the most important component of psychological therapy.

I have experience working and offering help with a wide range of psychological difficulties including the following:

• Depression and mood issues
• Anxiety
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety
• Health Anxiety
• GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
• Anger
• Physical Health Problems
• PTSD/Trauma
• Relationship Difficulties
• Couples Therapy
• Work Stress
• Stress
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Low Confidence/Esteem
• Bereavement
• Assertiveness Issues
• Systemic Therapy

Insurances I work with: AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna, Simply Health, WPA and others.