Martha Doniach MA BPC and UKCP
I am a Senior Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in mental health. Currently, my practice is based in central London, and I also provide online therapy services.
I provide therapy and counselling for adults and couples in a safe, non-judgmental environment. My services include both open-ended and short-term therapy, as well as supervision and consultation for therapists and counsellors. Appointments are available in person or online.
For more information about the therapy process or if you have any questions, please get in touch with me by phone or email. All communications remain confidential.
About psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy
This therapeutic approach involves the therapist working collaboratively with the client(s) to address different challenges. It is crucial to emphasise that this type of therapy does not provide advice or reassurance. Instead, its aim is to help the client(s) see themselves and their relationships from a new perspective, promoting greater self-awareness. Through this process, the client can achieve lasting change and improved well-being.
“The life that I could live, I should live, and the thoughts that I could still think, I should think.”
-C.G. Jung, The Red Book
Therapy can be helpful for a broad range of issues at different stages of the life-cycle, including the following:
Depression, feelings of emptiness, unexplained sadness or anger, loneliness, suicidal thoughts
Panic attacks, stress or anxiety, low self-worth, communication challenges
Trauma, illness, bereavement and loss
Career issues, workplace conflicts, unemployment and redundancy
Relationship and couple difficulties including patterns of forming or maintaining relationships, conflict, parenting, sexual issues, and infertility.
Difficulties related to sexuality, sexual orientation, body image, eating disorders, addictions, obsessions.
Rooted in psychoanalytic theory, psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy aims to help you understand your current difficulties by exploring your unique personal history and present life situation.
Understanding
Individuals and couples from all different backgrounds can benefit from psychodynamic/psychoanalytic work. This therapy aims to acknowledge, explore and, if appropriate, change how you think about yourself and your relationships.
This may include revealing unconscious feelings and attitudes that prevent you from living the life you desire.
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy provide valuable benefits to individuals and couples aiming to improve their self-awareness and gain a deeper understanding of their personal difficulties, rather than merely concentrating on symptom management.
Benefits
Research confirms that therapy can help individuals and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem, feeling stuck in unhappy relationship patterns, and those with a history of childhood trauma such as loss or abuse.
Therapy benefits anyone dissatisfied with their life or relationships, regardless of the specific issue.
It can support individuals feeling unhappy or down, not just those dealing with specific issues like bereavement or relationship breakdown.
If you would like more information, please contact me.
Starting therapy
We will first arrange an initial consultation of at least two 50-minute sessions which are spaced no more than one week apart. This will provide an opportunity to for us to meet and to further explore your reasons for coming to therapy at this time and whether or not this is suitable for your individual needs. At this point, there is no commitment to on-going work.
If you do decide to continue, together we would agree upon regular times, and day(s) on a weekly, on-going basis. Each session lasts for 50 minutes. The establishment of regularity of time and place is an important element within the therapy as it assists in creating a secure and containing structure, which is fundamental to the overall psychotherapeutic process.
“Detours through the past are necessary to make ourselves anew.”
-Stuart Hall, Cultural Theorist
About Me
Martha Doniach, MA, BPC and UKCP
With a background in social work, counselling and family therapy, I underwent further training in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy at WPF and Tavistock Relationships. I have over 30 years of experience in mental health. I have worked as a therapist and social worker across child, adolescent, and adult mental health services, in both statutory and voluntary sectors. My expertise lies in working with adults, couples, families, and groups. I have maintained a career-long interest in adapting psychoanalytic interventions to work with clinical populations experiencing deprivation.
For the past 20 years, I have been running a part-time private practice, offering therapy and supervision. In addition, I have provided consultancy and led groups and training sessions for psychotherapy training, voluntary agencies, and other statutory bodies. I have also been part of the NHS for more than two decades, with over 15 years spent in a specialist adult out-patient psychotherapy service at an NHS central London hospital. During my time there, I held the position of Clinical Lead for Specialist Psychological Psychotherapies, serving in a senior management role within the department. My responsibilities included strategic development of the service and leading the psychodynamic and honorary psychotherapy teams. I conducted assessments, provided supervision, taught and trained others. I also worked directly with Adults, couples, and families and facilitated reflective and analytical groups.
Teaching and supervising have played a crucial role in my career. I have had the opportunity to teach and supervise across various training programmes, including at the Tavistock Clinic, Tavistock Relationships (TR) and the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF). Currently, I teach theory and facilitate clinical groups for the new couples training programme at BPF. I also serve as a visiting lecturer and supervisor at TR. As part of the couple psychoanalytic training, I teach psychoanalytic theory and collaborate in co-therapy with candidates in training.
Qualifications and training
I am an accredited member of both the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKPC), and abide by their code of ethics. I am a full member of The Foundation of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Tavistock Relationships Alumni and The Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology. These are the graduate bodies of my training institutes. I am qualified to work in both time-limited and open-ended work, depending on the particular needs of the individual/s. I am also trained to work in more intensive psychotherapy - eg more than one session a week and on the couch.
- Clinical qualification in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Tavistock Relationships
- MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, University of East London/Tavistock Relationships
- Clinical qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Wpf Therapy
- Specialised clinical qualification intensive Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (2x weekly), Wpf
- Clinical Qualification in Mentalisation Based Psychotherapy (MBT), Anna Freud Centre
- Clinical Qualification in Dynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy(DIT), Anna Freud Centre
- Certificate in Reflective Practice, Institute of Group Analysis
- Pg Diploma in Psychodynamic Studies, Roehampton University/Wpf Therapy
- Pg Diploma in Systemic Psychotherapy, Tavistock and Portman Trust
- Diploma in Social Work (DipSw), University of North London
- BSc Hons in Social Science (First Class), University of London
My Practice Address
My consulting room is approximately five minutes walk from Farringdon, (Circle/ Metropolitan & Hammersmith and City lines and Thameslink) and from Chancery Lane (Central) tube stations. It is about 10 minutes walk from Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) tube. There are several bus nearby routes.
It is well situated for those people living or working in Clerkenwell, Farringdon, Shorditch, Old St., Liverpool St., St. Pauls, Islington, Hackney and Barbican. There is metered parking and an NCP parking lot next to the premises in which I am located. There are also 'Boris Bicycles' available in Hatton Garden.
Fees & Availability
Therapy sessions are scheduled on a regular basis, on days and times that are agreed upon mutually. The initial consultations are conducted through two 50-minute sessions, which are charged at a rate of £100 - £150, depending on whether it is for an individual or a couple.
If we decide to work together, each session will last 50 minutes and cost between £100-150 depending on whether you are an individual or a couple and your financial circumstances.
You will be billed at the end of each calendar month. I accept cash or on-line payment. Payment, including any other practical matters will be discussed in the initial consultation. Please contact me if you have any questions.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
-George Eliot
Making Contact
You can contact me by the following phone number or email address. Both are strictly confidential and are only used by me in my private practice. Please leave your name and number and times that would be convenient for us to speak. All your enquires are treated promptly and is strictly confidential.
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*All illustrations have been provided by Iona Doniach