Christine Fletcher

About me

Hello
I am a psychotherapist and therapeutic supervisor with a long history of supporting clients to overcome a variety of challenges. As a practitioner, I believe in helping each person to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their difficulties. Throughout our lives many factors contribute to shaping us as people - such as experiences of growing up, family relationships, changes and losses, difficult events. Working on increased self awareness and acceptance with a professional can be hugely supportive in moving forward.

Why have therapy?
All humans by nature have fears and worries - this is what makes us human. Worries can be a struggle if they become overwhelming. Understanding, noticing and dealing with our worries, thoughts or behaviour can be transformative and powerful. Having a consistent space to feel safe to speak about our emotional life together with the perspective of a professional is key. Humans are by default design as social creatures - talking and communication with others is a vital part of feeling understood and understanding oneself.

Who do I work with?
I welcome work with clients of all ages and backgrounds. I specialize in work with young people under 25 years and families. I do offer work with couples.

Sessions:
My aim is to create a warm but stimulating environment in which each person can feel encouraged to explore. I would say I have an easy going style - I am a creative and flexible practitioner. Mostly the sessions will be talking, reflecting - with space to have questions or go deeper into more complex issues. Other times there may be need for activities or drawing to support our discussions. Sessions will be tailored to suit each individual's needs.

How I work/ my training background:
My core training is in psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling which looks at early life experiences as key to who we are. Like many practitioners, I have progressed throughout my working life and have branched out with different training and courses that make up who I am as a practitioner today.
I would say I have a keen interest in understanding the individual and their difficulties in context. Because of this interest, I have completed systemic training (humans in context of relationships and environment) and have worked with families over many years. Successful relationships are essential to our wellbeing - humans are designed by nature to connect at all stages of life. How we experience relationships and life can contribute significantly to our overall wellbeing.

In addition to my training and experience, my clients may benefit from my own constant practice and search for learning - I am a long term practitioner of yoga (Ashtanga Mysore self practice), meditation and breathing techniques. I have studied with skilled teachers in the UK and India over the years. I believe that there is always something we can learn about ourselves.

Supervision:
In addition to working with clients, I am a therapeutic supervisor with a wealth of experience and training. I have a background of working in schools and in a clinical setting. Until recently, I have worked in a busy mental heath service in South East London, with all that this involves i.e. multi-agency work, working with risk, triaging risk cases with CAMHS, risk assessment, complex cases and reflecting team work with families.

Training and qualification

MSc Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling for Children and Young People (Birkbeck College, University of London)

Postgraduate Certificate in IAPT Systemic Therapy (Kings College London)

Post Graduate Certificate in Level 6 Therapeutic Supervision (City and Islington College)

Post  Graduate Certificate IAPT Supervision (King's College London)

Professional affiliation: