George Cumming-Bruce

About me

I am an Existential Psychotherapist. Existential Psychotherapy is rooted in philosophy and psychology, and is concerned with understanding and clarifying your experiences and dilemmas.
It is a client-led process (led by you) in the sense that I will aim to understand your experience in your own terms. This is not to say that I will not question and challenge some assumptions you may hold, but that doing so will be in the service of better understanding who you are and how you choose to relate to your current circumstances. It can be a big step to begin the process of therapy, so I hope that you can find some sense of what I provide here. You are welcome to come for a single session before deciding if it feels right for you to continue.
There is often an emphasis on what gives life 'meaning' in existential therapy. Apathy and a sense of meaninglessness can be indications that we have lost touch with what makes our lives worthwhile. Or perhaps that we are earnestly examining things in a new way. But meaninglessness, or an 'existential crisis' are not the only things for which existential therapy can be helpful. Most of our thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be useful indications of what we want (or don’t want), and what we care about. Likewise, emotions and behaviours that seem unpleasant or extreme can often be helpful signposts towards a better understanding of what we care about. Talking about them in a confidential space can serve to highlight the choices we have, and what we really want. I aim to provide a non-judgemental space within which we can explore whatever experience you might be going through. This is very important because a fear of judgement often prevents the very openness and clarity which can be liberating in itself, and so vital in moving towards something new.
Existential therapy tends to understand life as an anxiety-inducing, uncertain and relational. It emphasises that many of the difficulty’s of living are unavoidable. But discerning between that which we want to accept and integrate, and that which requires change and action, is often a central and ongoing task.
My experience has included work in private practise, with the charity MIND, and within the NHS. My experience in the NHS includes work in a general counselling practise, and in a specialist chronic pain unit using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (a mindfulness focussed from of CBT).

Training and qualification

- MA Philosophy (Edinburgh Univesity)
- Mental Wellbeing Train the Trainer Award (Middlesex University)
- Graduate Certificate in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling (Goldsmiths University)
- MSc Psychology (University of Westminster)
- MSc Existential Psychotherapy (NSPC)
- Registered Member BACP

Professional affiliation: