MBACP (Accred), BPC, MSc, MSc, MA, Dip. Therapeutic Counselling,
PGDip, PGCert, CBT-E (Oxford), Autism/ADHD Assessor (UCL)
MBACP (Accred), BPC, MSc, MSc, MA, Dip. Therapeutic Counselling,
PGDip, PGCert, CBT-E (Oxford), Autism/ADHD Assessor (UCL)
Trained recently at Oxford University, and Heythrop College, UCL and Kings College London, in Philosophy and Clinical Psychotherapy and Psychology. I have over 30 years experience of working in mental health with wide ranging more usual and complex mental health difficulties. I have additionally worked extensively with ADHD and Autism in
Trained recently at Oxford University, and Heythrop College, UCL and Kings College London, in Philosophy and Clinical Psychotherapy and Psychology. I have over 30 years experience of working in mental health with wide ranging more usual and complex mental health difficulties. I have additionally worked extensively with ADHD and Autism in education and offer ADHD and Autism Assessments and Coaching, across the lifespan, within an MDT.
Now, as a qualified Psychologist, Family and Couples Practitioner, Therapeutic Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I work with children and families, young adults, adults, parents, carers and couples.
With a current Enhanced DBS clearance and working within accreditation Ethical Frameworks, I work sensitively and effectively with your situation.
I specialise in adult and adolescent severe mental health difficulties, managing parental conflict and separation, involved with legal-medical cases and report writing.
I invite you to a free 15-minute, introductory consultation - a safe, confidential, collaborative and non-judgemental space, in-person, online or by telephone where you may feel heard with acceptance, and where your experiences are taken seriously.
I am interested in getting to know you at your pace and I am sensitive to hear what you ch
I invite you to a free 15-minute, introductory consultation - a safe, confidential, collaborative and non-judgemental space, in-person, online or by telephone where you may feel heard with acceptance, and where your experiences are taken seriously.
I am interested in getting to know you at your pace and I am sensitive to hear what you choose to share with me. Thinking together about your situation may help you find a constructive way forward.
Acknowledging Business Excellence across Great Britain working collaboratively with you, I am qualified to work with families, young adults, adults and couples. I am trained in different approaches to talking therapy to equip myself to work with the widest, and most vulnerable populations, able to manage severe mental health difficulties
Acknowledging Business Excellence across Great Britain working collaboratively with you, I am qualified to work with families, young adults, adults and couples. I am trained in different approaches to talking therapy to equip myself to work with the widest, and most vulnerable populations, able to manage severe mental health difficulties.
My soundproof, wheel-chair accessible, pleasant consulting room is based near South Hampstead overground, Swiss Cottage and Finchley Road underground stations, buses 31, C11, 46, 139, 159, 113, with parking available.
My training and qualifications support treating
-- Addictions
-- ADHD and Autism
-- Anxiety, Panic and Depression
-- Emotion Management
-- Adolescent issues
-- Adoption and fostering - Attachment issues
-- Bereavement
-- Body Dysmorphia
-- Childhood issues
-- Family disputes
--Dissociation and non-epileptic seizures
-- Domestic violence
-- Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
-- Eating disorders
-- Educational issues
-- Forensic matters
-- Gender identities
--Gifted and talented
-- Phobias (e.g. Emetophobia, Agoraphobia)
-- Pre and perinatal concerns
-- PTSD
-- Schizophrenias and Psychoses
-- Self-harm/suicidality
-- Workplace stress
Available in-person, by Zoom/Skype, phone or e-mail, supporting you post-COVID and beyond:
Skype: Helen.Holmes837/Zoom/Phone
Phone: 07952 717 951
E-mail: helen.holmes2023@outlook.com
Selected Qualifications, Accreditations, Academic experience and Continuing Professional Development:
BA. (Hons) Philosophy and Theology (Heythrop); BA. Law, Politics, English (first year);
MA. Psychology of Religion (Heythrop);
Dip. of Proficiency Clinical Supervision;
Mediation;
CBT-E (Oxford University);
MSc. Psychology, EMDR;
MSc. Counselling Psychology,
Forensic psychodynamic psychotherapist (BPC);
Psychoanalytic therapist;
Grad. Cert. Family Therapy (IOPPN, KCL) - Systemic Practitioner (AFT); Two-year attendance - psychodynamic psychotherapy training (WPF);
PG Diploma in Psychoanalytic Observation Studies and PG Certificate in Applied Social Studies (Tavistock/UEL);
Diploma and Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB, MBACP Accredited);
Psychoanalysis Foundation course (IOPA); Families and Schools Together (Middx);
Mentalisation Based Therapy (Basic, UCL),
Accredited Autism Assessments: ADOS-2 (UCL), ADI-R;
Experiential group and Reflective practice;
CBT: Severe Mental Health Difficulties (UCL);
Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment for Adults (Intro, Kings College);
Safeguarding Children Level 3;
Safeguarding Adults Level 3;
Mental Health First Aider;
Differentiation Relatedness Scale and the Object Relations Interview (UCL);
MSc (Audit) Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology (UCL);
Multidisciplinary Parent-infant mental health (UCL);
Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (Intro, UCL)
Workplace stress management
Fellow - Higher Education Academy;
PGCE Higher Education (Psychology);
QTLS (16+);
Fellow - Society of Education & Training.
City & Guilds Certificate in Delivering Learning (Intro)
UKTEFL.
Selected Publications:
Book Author: 'Seeing God in our Birth Experiences: A Psychoanalytic Inquiry into pre and perinatal religious development' (Routledge, 2020):
Book Author: Inside Psychosis: Clinical and therapeutic experiences working with men and women on acute psychiatric wards (Routledge, 2024, in production)
Book Chapter: International perspectives on family care-giving: A comparative review of informal caregiving to individuals with HIV and AIDS in South Africa and the United Kingdom (Emerald Press, 2025).
Book Chapter: 'Assessment and Intervention of interpersonal violence amongst diverse populations' (Cambridge Scholars, 2025).
Book Chapter: 'Contemporary Social Problems in the UK: A Comprehensive Overview' (Routledge, 2023). Chapter: A domestic violence pandemic: Outlining victim and perpetrator perspectives. In,
BACP article: 'Professional appearance: What to wear?'
This article first appeared in the January 2022 issue of Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal, published by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/healthcare-counselling-and-psychotherapy-journal/ BACP 2022©
Please request a copy.
Website, Workshop, Newsletter: Featured poet 2021 (FPAA) - poetry and drawings.
Book Chapter: God Representations in a Pre and Perinatal Psychoanalytic Framework (2009) AIP, London.
Book: 'And then there was light' (2008)
Poetry Anthology, Devotion Press, London.
Journal article APPAH USA: Birth of the living Gods? Exploring the pre-and perinatal aspects of religious development (2008). Journal of Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health, 22(4), 250-285.
Conference Review: ‘Religion and Sexuality’, (July, 2007) Numine Magazine.
Presentations: Coping mechanisms and self-discovery, Afe Babalola University, Nigeria,
August 2024.
Chair, Forensic Psychotherapy case consultations, September 2024 onwards.
Teaching related:
I have enjoyed facilitating many personal development workshops in London, and presented internationally. I have written and taught popular Psychology related courses at London School of Economics, Birkbeck College, City Literary Institute, Mary Ward Centre, Brent College.
I set up and Supervised an innovative and popular Masters-level, clinical project on Adolescent self-harm, at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Kings College London, for 5 Masters courses.
I have been teaching difference and diversity for DClinPsych trainees at Kings College, London.
I am a trained and certified reflective practice facilitator for NHS Trust staff groups.
For seven years, I facilitated a Moslem/non-Moslem women's dialogue group.
For twelve years, I co-facilitated a mixed support group for adults with childhood issues.
Following my first degree and whilst training in secondary education at the Institute of Education, I helped set up The Big Issue in London, advocating for street level, young homeless people.
Please call - you and I can talk about what's going on for you and discuss the best next steps.
Please call, I will do my utmost to help you and your family.
07952 717 951
Schooling can be stressful for all concerned; families and young adults, siblings, parents and teachers can feel the need for a confidential place to talk through their experiences. Having worked in and with schools, I am aware of the difficult issues arising, such as bullying and self-harm. As a psychotherapist, I am here to listen to y
Schooling can be stressful for all concerned; families and young adults, siblings, parents and teachers can feel the need for a confidential place to talk through their experiences. Having worked in and with schools, I am aware of the difficult issues arising, such as bullying and self-harm. As a psychotherapist, I am here to listen to you, facilitate support groups and provide consultation and training.
Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are common feelings but there are times when this can feel overwhelming. As an emotional expert, I seek to help you manage your situation and can offer: assessments, parenting sessions, consultancy, group support a
Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are common feelings but there are times when this can feel overwhelming. As an emotional expert, I seek to help you manage your situation and can offer: assessments, parenting sessions, consultancy, group support and training packages. Offering neurodevelopmental assessments, pre-Autism, depression, anxiety. Working with Adoption and Fostering agencies to enhance life chances for individuals experiencing early attachment complications, using a Dyadic Developmental therapeutic approach.
A new baby in the family changes everything and I am trained to help you and your family through this often confusing and difficult transition. Counselling can be beneficial to couples looking to strengthen their emotional connection, in all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions can be held with families if required, as a support
A new baby in the family changes everything and I am trained to help you and your family through this often confusing and difficult transition. Counselling can be beneficial to couples looking to strengthen their emotional connection, in all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions can be held with families if required, as a supportive place to discuss ways to improve your communication and lives together.
Your baby arriving may well bring challenges for you and your family. Feeling low, stressed or lonely may not be the motherhood that people often talk about, as being the altogether natural process that we are all supposed to adapt to perfectly and adore. So, if you are feeling stressed, or worried that you are not bonding with your baby as you would like, or your changed relationship with another child, or that you just want to talk about how life is changing for you, then get in touch.
If you are feeling stressed, lonely and wondering what did happen to the lovely idea of parenting, when you gave birth, please get in touch since I run small groups for women and infants that can make a difference.
It is more commonly talked about now how dads can suffer through post-natal depression and other mixed feelings about the new arrival. If you are a dad and feeling stressed, then please get in touch for an appointment.
Fair Fees
Contract
Supervision
Privacy Policy
If you have any queries, please contact me: helen.holmes2023@outlook.com or 07952 717 951.
Individual and Family voices
'Sam', age 18. ''I wanted to write this card to say thank you so much for helping me to talk to my parents about who I am, which lifted a burden from me. I have stopped self-harming (Yay!) and we argue less. I am becoming more independent and looking forward to starting at Oxford''.
Father - ''It's good to have reached a point to stop and take stock, you've helped us through really tough times. I feel more relaxed about being in my family and being able to talk to each other is a great help of course. You have been insightful and kind but also knowing when to be firm speaks of your skills with families. We are in a much better place thanks to you. We are basically good people in our family. You are good too''.
'Piotr', age 23 - ''I can't talk to my parents and I was nervous at first talking about things for the first time. I am grateful that I found that I could start to speak about painful issues that are important to me, with you. This has changed how I see myself and others. Thank you very much for your help''.
'Jamie', age 41 - ''I can't believe how much I have changed since seeing you. I used to be so stiff and now I feel so much more at ease in my body. I don't know what you did but I felt that I could open up to you, no-one else had shown at interest in me so this was transformatory for me. I feel happier, how can I thank you enough''.
'Hassan', age 34 - ''Thanks for spending some time with me when life was so scary over Christmas and it just felt pretty bleak. You stayed with me and I have haven't drunk since. I never want to go back to that, I didn't realise how much I was putting myself at risk, which you have also helped me come to terms with''.
'Benjamin', age 40 - ''I have found you to be very professional. You have a great memory which sometimes surprised me since no-one else seems to listen as carefully as you, which is sad. I've changed a lot since being in therapy, all for the better''.
Mother - ''Thank you for being kind and listening to me, at a time when no-one else seemed to be, and I felt truly alone. You've helped me through some really tough times, you've been reliable and steadfast. Thanks for helping me through''.
Simon - ''I think you're a terrific therapist''.
Abdul - ''I feel safe with you''.
Raquel - ''I trust you''.
Akari - 'I feel really well held with you Helen, thank you'.
Jazz - ''I felt really well held through this year of child training, many thanks for your support Helen, you are very learned''
Child, Adolescent and Family therapy
Job Title: NHS Consultant Child Psychiatrist (retired)
I have known Helen Holmes for approximately eight years.
My opinion of Helen is that she is a person of high intelligence who also possesses an emotional intelligence and psychological mindedness, with a developing psychodynamic understanding. Helen has been highly committed to learning about different therapeutic modalities to best equip herself to help the widest possible population. My experience of her is of someone who is deeply committed to work in the field of mental health and is possessed of a strong determination to continue her professional development. This is evidenced by Helen’s ongoing attendance at courses and conferences, her interest in gaining experiences in various areas of clinical work and her ongoing involvement in long term continuing professional development. Helen is a person who has an enquiring mind and is very well-read in the fields of mental health and therapy, alongside contributing through publications.
Helen is a basically compassionate person with a particular interest in helping vulnerable and traumatised people. She has shown herself to be aware of human diversity and sensitive to social and cultural issues. She is a person has good social skills and an ability to relate to others. Helen also has a wide range of interests outside of the field of mental health.
I have no hesitation in recommending Helen as a safe and sensitive psychotherapist.
(Retired child and adolescent psychiatrist)
22 September 2023
Work together with your partner to improve communication, resolve conflicts and strengthen your relationship.
14 July 2018
I have known Helen Holmes in my capacity as a Systemic Family Therapist and Supervisor at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service- since September 2014. Helen has made an excellent use of this opportunity and she has acted as co-therapist, as well as lead therapist with live supervision and has joined a team of colleagues with a role to reflect insession about the process of therapy. In this setting Helen has worked with clients from different cultural backgrounds, race, ages, socio economic stratification, levels of ability, gender, and religious affiliations, always maintaining a sense of respect and sensitivity to the diversity of life styles and beliefs present in the room. This has been significant in her ability to engage with clients who present with complex psychological and social needs, and she has formed positive therapeutic alliances which could be linked to the clients’ ability to trust the process of therapy with Helen’s facilitation. Throughout the time spent working together I have been impressed with Helen’s ability to enact the feedback discussed pre and post session as well as through consultative supervision and her growing confidence when implementing this approach to therapy may confirm my impression. Helen has shown to be open to new learning and to take on board feedback constructively. She has also shown an ability to take up study autonomously to inform her therapeutic work at CAMHS. Academic Tutor Family Therapy, University of London.
Build stronger family relationships, improve communication, and work through difficult times.
July 2020
I am a psychiatrist in medical psychotherapy and a psychoanalyst. Part of my training was at the Portman clinic and I have some familiarity with forensic psychotherapy.
I have been supervising Helen Holmes once weekly for the past two years mainly on her private psychotherapy practice. My understanding is that she has had a very eclectic experience of working in a variety of mental health settings that has exposed her to both a wide range of pathologies as well as giving her a broad understanding of the many ways of addressing mental ill health. Her approach is psychodynamic in its broadest sense.
She is professional with a high degree of integrity in her psychotherapeutic work, always striving to be helpful. One of her great strengths is her capacity to contain and engage very disturbed individuals. Two of her current private patients could be considered forensic cases; one has been a patient in a special hospital. She can establish a therapeutic alliance with these patients and at the same time stand up to and address their aggressive tendencies.
I have no hesitation in recommending her.
Learn practical tools to manage anxiety symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Explore the root causes of your depression and learn effective coping strategies to improve your mood and overall well-being.
Work through the effects of trauma and learn how to manage symptoms of PTSD.
