Hello and welcome to Dominic French Therapy.

I can provide you with a safe and secure environment to slow down and take a look within. A place to reflect on and talk about your current situation and past experiences. I am a qualified UKCP accredited psychotherapist and BACP registered counsellor, my approach is integrative meaning that I use my wide theoretical knowledge uniquely with each individual.

Although we cannot change what has happened, it’s possible to see events differently; no longer being controlled by the past but instead using it as a means of understanding compassionately why the present might look as it does. From here, we can explore how the future could be different.

About Me

I am a trained and experienced Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor. I am a full clinical psychotherapist member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and subscribe to its code of ethics. I am also a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct.

In relation to my way of working with you; I am an integrative therapist, which means that I do not subscribe to one way of theoretical thinking. Instead I’m trained and skilled in a variety of psychological theories. My belief is that we are all unique and I respect that we all come from different backgrounds and have differing needs. As such, each person requires an individual input tailored to best support them. I will therefore work with you, collaboratively, to form the most suitable approach to support you.

Agreeing with research, I consider that the relationship between us, within the therapeutic space, is one of the key features for change and growth. I provide an environment of safety and containment. I am not a silent observer. My aim is to be truly with and alongside you on your journey, working together to help you in your process of change and development.

My journey as a psychotherapist began at WPF Therapy where I gained a certificate in counselling skills. I continued on to the Metanoia Institute, one of the leading psychotherapy training institutes in the UK. There I gained my postgraduate diploma in Integrative Psychodynamic Counselling and furthered my training onto a Masters of Science in Integrative Psychotherapy including a Clinical Diploma in Integrative Counselling.

In addition to my private practice, I also worked at Changing Lives, Oaktrees in York - this is an abstinence-based day treatment centre for people who want to be free from drugs and alcohol. Their aim is to help stop the cycle of addiction. I am currently an associate therapist at Oakdale Centre -a leading independent provider of psychological therapies and personal development to adults in Harrogate.

I have also worked for the Metanoia and Ealing Abbey Counselling Services, both of which are low-cost and aimed at making counselling an option for everyone.

Why Therapy?

People in search of therapy are usually in varying states of unhappiness, conflict, trouble and mental pain.

Talking therapy is proven to help and can lead you to live a more fulfilling, contented life. To talk to someone who is sensitive and mindful of you and your experiences can be truly healing. Through this process, slowly and gently pressure is released, avoiding a situation where it all becomes too much.

Confidentiality is essential; there are some things that when spoken, make us feel vulnerable or even distrusting of an 'outside' view of the situation. I can assure you that our sessions will be conducted under strict confidentiality boundaries, please see FAQ for more information on this.

I truly understand that it takes real courage to reach out. I hope that you can allow yourself to find the support to guide you through the process of change, kindly and compassionately. Finding a ‘good fit’ with a therapist is important, I therefore offer a free initial consultation where you can ask questions, gain a sense of how I work and see if we would work well together.

What do you work with?

Although this list is not exhaustive, I support people with:

Anxiety, Stress, Worry
Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Addiction
OCD, intrusive thinking
Social anxiety, self esteem
Relationships issues
Sexuality
Bereavement
Anger
Loss
Finding your way through life changes & challenges
Parenthood
Exploring issues around identity, meaning & spirituality
Career and work issues
Personal development and growth
Couples

For more information please see my Frequently Asked Questions or please feel free to Get In Touch

Fees and Sessions

I offer a free 15 minute initial phone consultation - during this call we can go through any questions you might have, and we can explore how I might be able to support you in your journey. I recognise that making the first step is often the hardest, so please feel free to contact me.

Following on from the initial consultation, we can then arrange a first session. During the first session I will talk and ask more questions than I will in the following sessions. The reason for this is so I can gain a sense of your background, hopes for therapy and ultimately how we can work together to support you in living a fuller life. Should we both feel that there is a good fit then we can plan for future sessions.

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and are on the same day, at the same time, weekly. Weekly therapy sessions create a certain level of intensity and commitment ensuring counselling is at its most effective.

The fee for individual therapy is £60 (50 minute session).

The fee for couples therapy is £80 (60 minute session)

I do have some (limited) low cost slots available, please contact me for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is an initial consultation?

The initial consultation is for us to talk through what has brought you to therapy and how I might be able to help you. You may well have questions you want to ask and during this time is when we can address these. Finding a good fit with a therapist is very important, this initial consultation is a means of us both seeing how well we could work together to support you in your present situation.

+ Do you offer face to face counselling?

I can offer face to face counselling, online sessions via Zoom or telephone counselling.

+ How long does it take?

I have found that each individual needs a different amount of time based upon their own process, hopes and aims for therapy.

I offer short term, long term and open ended therapy - we can discuss your preference during the initial consultation.

+ What is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?

Psychotherapy is typically seen as being more orientated towards longer term, in depth work, whereas counselling is usually seen to be more focused on a particular issue and a shorter time period.

+ What can you help me with?

I can help you with a wide range of presenting issues, these include but are not limited to: anxiety, trauma, PTSD, addiction, relationships, bereavement, abuse, loss, stress, depression, self-esteem, personal development, life changes and challenges, parenthood, anger, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), spirituality, work/career, and sexuality.

+ How often and long are sessions?

Sessions are weekly, at the same time and location. Weekly sessions means that there is a certain level of intensity and continuity that I believe is benefical towards the therapeutic endeavour.

+ Do you give advice?

I do not give advice or direction; my aim is to work alongside you so that lasting insight comes from within you. I believe that you know yourself best and as such, given the right circumstances you can come to understand your self and individual process better.

I envision myself as a passenger in a car where you are the driver, together we are looking at your experiences and creating a map, at some points I may well suggest we look down one road or link two towns together, but you are very much in the driving seat.

+ Is everything I say confidential?

Yes, the sessions are confidential and I respect this to the highest degree.

I work under the Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct of the UKCP as well as the BACP who both hold confidentiality as centrally important.

The only time that confidentiality might be broken is if you pose a significant risk or harm to yourself or others, or if I am required to do so by law. In either case my aim would be to discuss the breaking of confidentiality with you before wherever possible.

My governing bodies (BACP & UKCP) require that my work is supervised by an experienced therapist to ensure that I am working to their regulations and to safeguard clients. Your details are anonymised, and the same degree of confidentiality is maintained within supervision.