Please see below to read the bios of each member of the team. We are passionate about helping you move to a happier, more stable place through personalised counselling in Hampstead, online, or from the comfort of your own home.
Mandi Simons
I have worked as a qualified BACP Registered psychotherapist, counsellor, family therapist, and CBT therapist for over 20 years, drawing on a number of therapeutic approaches to give people of all ages and backgrounds personalised support as they work through both past trauma and specific present-day issues. As well as working in my Highgate, Hampstead online private practice, I have also worked in the NHS as an Approved Social Worker/ Approved Mental Health Professional. I work with the Care Quality Commission as a specialist Mental Health Advisor. My specialisms include couples counselling, family therapy, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, relationship issues and depression.
Like the rest of my team, I work in a very individual way with each client. Understanding the root of your issues and how they manifest in the present is an important part of our practice’s approach. I will gather as much information as possible during the free 30-minute online/phone consultation and then match you with a member of our team who specialises in working with the problems you are experiencing.
Sebastian Bosca
I am a trained and Accredited BACP counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, and Psychotherapy. I have worked in the NHS and the Employability sector for the last couple of years and was able to achieve great results and positive outcomes with my clients, as well as in my private practice.
I have been working with a wide range of individuals, from children and teenagers to adults and families, with each one of them struggling in different areas such as depression, anxiety, bereavement, relational issues, personality disorders etc.
I believe in creating a safe and confidential environment for people to discover what is troubling them and finding the most suitable way to deal with their issues. An important part of my approach is focusing on what they can do rather than what they can’t do.
Alongside Mandi, I offer a 30 minute online/phone consultation, I will do my best to offer insight and guidance that will enable you to make sense of your current challenges and then match you with a member of our team that specialises in working with the issues you are experiencing.
Debbie Reuben
I am a BACP Accredited qualified psychotherapist. I take an integrative approach, which means I have been trained in and can use several different theoretical approaches to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the client.
I offer couple counselling and also short-term and long-term psychotherapy to individuals. I have experience of working with a wide range of issues including bereavement and loss, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and depression.
I provide a safe, supportive and confidential space in which to reflect on and explore these issues in order to facilitate change and improve well-being. In addition to being an associate therapist, I work as a relationship counsellor for the charity Relate.
Estelle Longcroft
I am a BACP Registered Psychodynamic Counsellor and have been practising since 2006, providing both short-term and long-term counselling to adults, adolescents, and children. I have an Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a Post Graduate Certificate in Communicating with Children.
I have worked in many different schools across London and an international school in Belgium. These schools have been a mixture of Infants, Junior, Secondary, College, and a Special Needs School. I have counselled children as young as four years old up to eighteen, as well as private counselling work with children and young people. I have also worked for the NHS and in children’s care homes.
Children come to me with problems such as anxiety (including exam or performance anxiety), depression, low self-esteem, coping with disabilities or illnesses, bereavement, trauma, bullying, and challenging behavioural issues.
I have an integrative approach to my work that is underpinned by Attachment Theory. Building a secure attachment with a client enables them to feel safe enough to freely express their thoughts and feelings. Depending on my clients’ needs I incorporate other theories such as Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as taking a psycho-educational approach.
Preeti Marwaha
I am a BACP Registered Psychodynamic Counsellor working with individuals, couples, and families to help explore patterns of relating which may be causing anxiety or distress. I endeavour to provide a safe space for us to think about these patterns to facilitate change.
It is human nature to want to protect ourselves from uncomfortable and painful feelings. However, the more we avoid or shut these feelings down, the more they tend to persist. Gently approaching these feelings and thinking about them provides an opportunity to process them. Couples may feel unheard or unable to communicate effectively with their partners, resulting in feelings of loneliness, disappointment, and frustration. This often manifests as an escalation in arguments or distancing oneself from relationships, both of which are unhelpful.
Through our work together we will explore the roots of your difficulties, enabling you to respond with greater awareness to your life circumstances and relationships.
Alongside private practise, I also work at Highgate Counselling Centre and over the years have supported couples struggling with breakdowns in communication, escalation in arguments, trust issues, infidelity, and managing change.
Noreen Mullally
I am a BACP registered therapist who has experience of working with a range of issues. I work with adults, couples, children & adolescents.
If you have reached the point where you know something needs to change but you're not quite sure what? Together we can see if we can start to make sense of things and bring you a bit more clarity and understanding. I have undergone a full and extensive training, I am qualified to deal with a range of presenting psychological issues. all of which are grounded in evidence-based practice. I work integratively, using researched techniques that work for each individual or couple on a personalised basis.
You may have had expectations and judgements throughout your life, suppressed your own feelings and beliefs to be accepted, and this has worked so far, but somewhere there has been a shift and your feelings maybe difficult to contain, leaving you feeling anxious, depressed, unresolved trauma being triggered? Using Person centred approach, I offer a non-judgemental space where you will feel able to reflect on your thoughts feelings anxieties and concerns.
Together, in a therapeutic relationship we can explore the impact these have on your everyday life. I can support you in processing, identifying areas of difficulty and support you in moving forward.
Naomi Selwyn
I am a BACP Registered Humanistic Integrative Counsellor, my focus is to place the emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as the primary agent for change. I aim to be empathic, respectful and non-judgmental. Through this approach, I hope to make clients feel safe, supported, and able to explore their issues openly.
Many clients experience difficulties in the present that have roots in their past. Together we can discover repeating patterns that are doing more to harm the client than help them. These realisations can be explored, enabling positive change. I combine different therapeutic techniques and approaches according to the client’s needs and offer long-term and short-term therapy.
I have worked with adults and young people experiencing a variety of conditions including depression, relationship problems, eating disorders, grief, self-harm, bullying, low mood, and loneliness.
I have worked at various places such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Mind, and Hampstead Counselling Service, and am now in private practice.
Alison Castagno
I am an experienced BACP Registered Counsellor, with a Master’s Degree in Psychodynamic and Systemic Therapeutic Practice with Children.
I am an integrative counsellor, drawing on different therapeutic methods, including CBT and Person-Centred Counselling; this allows me to offer the most appropriate model of counselling for each client depending on their individual needs. I am passionate about improving the emotional health and wellbeing of young people; I use a child-led empathic approach which provides a safe, calm, and nurturing space for children and young people to feel supported in a non-judgemental way.
In addition to working in private practice, I work as a School Counsellor in a multi-ethnic school in North London; working with children aged 5 – 18. I have experience of working with a wide range of emotional issues, including; low self-esteem, anxiety, low mood, exam stress, family relationship issues, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Suyara De Andrade
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I am training as a child and adolescent psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapists (UKCP).
As a therapist, I believe in providing a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. I believe in the power of therapy as a life-changing experience. It is a journey to meet the often-hidden deep part of oneself.
Each client is unique and may require a tailored approach to therapy. And for that, I draw on a range of therapeutic techniques to meet each individual’s needs.
As a therapist I support adults and young people struggling with a range of difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, relationship difficulties, bereavement, bullying, loneliness, and anger.
As a training psychotherapist I work with children and adolescents who are experiencing similar issues in understanding and coping with their feelings and struggling to overcome their challenges to live more fulfilling lives.
My approach to therapy is collaborative, and I work closely with my clients to help them understand their emotions and develop coping strategies. Therapy can be a transformative experience, and I am passionate about helping my clients achieve their goals.
Daniel Saccoccio
Life can change in an instant, and it did for me. I discovered therapy later in life, after a professional disaster. I was a 45-year-old father and husband; I owned a restaurant in West London, and I was making a good living. Then I lost it all: the restaurant, my house, and then, because of the stress, my marriage.
Overwhelmed, I went to see a therapist and I was relieved that he too had lived and experienced life’s struggles and could understand how difficult it can be when life suddenly runs aground. He, like me, was a self-made man and he inspired me to become a therapist. I hope that I can offer this bigger perspective as a therapist now.
I am a fully qualified BACP Registered counsellor. Therapist (BA Hons). Alongside my Private Practice, I am employed by the charity Relate as a relationship counsellor.
Clare Payne
I am a trained BACP counsellor and coach, gaining my qualifications at the University of East London and Esher College. I came to counselling from a career in arts administration and following my own experiences of growth, change and counselling. I have volunteered for many years with a mental health charity and champion the importance of talking through our feelings and being able to come to an understanding of ourselves in order to live a joyful and fulfilling life. I continue to learn about myself through my work as a counsellor and would like to work with you to help you understand yourself. I have worked with a wide range of clients and look forward to meeting you where you are today.
I work from a person-centred perspective, which means we talk about what is most important to you. Once we have a foundation of trust, we can look at the way you would like to work. I am trained in integrative counselling which means we can draw on different approaches to explore what you bring to the sessions. This could be looking into the past, looking at ways of thinking and behaving or looking forward to what you want to do differently. Ultimately, we work towards your goals and the change or movement you would like to see in your life.
Paula Tome
I am a qualified Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist. I work mainly in schools through the charity sector. I offer individual, face to face counselling and psychotherapy to young people aged 11-25 as well as review meetings with family members and carers.
Growing up can be overwhelming. Therapy is an opportunity to feel listened to and understood. Some of the worries young people need help with are anxiety, body and gender issues, family, and friendships, eating difficulties, sleeping difficulties, and bereavement.
In the sessions we work together to make sense of difficulties, patterns of behaviour and relationships. I believe that a safe space, a supportive, interested relationship, and a warm, non-judgemental approach can help you think and re-discover the inner resilience needed to move forward with confidence and creativity.
I am accredited by the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) as a Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counsellor and registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist with Children and Adolescents. I am also a full member of the Birkbeck Counselling Association. I can provide sessions in English and Portuguese.
Claire Collins Short
I qualified as a counsellor in 2009, I hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice and am an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I have worked in bereavement and palliative care for one of the country’s leading end-of-life care charities for almost a decade, helping many individuals and couples to explore their losses, health changes and end of life issues. Promoting bereavement support nationally and wellbeing for employees to avoid burnout has been an important part of my work. I also support individuals and couples experiencing fertility issues, pregnancy loss and infant loss, and am a member of the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA).
I work in a collaborative way as a Humanistic Integrative therapist and use Mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) in my practice. I also draw upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP Master Practitioner) and Hypnotherapy (Certification) techniques, if I feel that they will be of benefit to you. Counselling can be a life-changing experience and it was just that for me, so, as a therapist, I strive to offer you a warm, empathic and accepting relationship in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space where you can explore your most difficult and challenging feelings.
Robert Finlayson
I am a certified and accredited Clinical Hypnotherapist with over a decade in private practice and I am also working for LivingwellCIC, a not-for-profit organisation providing care for people living with long-term health conditions. I have post-graduate qualifications in Clinical and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy from the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH) in association with the University West London. I am also a qualified fertility and hypnobirthing practitioner (CHBP) trained in the easibirthing® method.
After a career as an actor-singer, performing internationally and on London’s West End, I developed an interest in holistic therapies as a result of my own physical and psychological needs as a performer; first qualifying as a deep tissue masseur and then training as a hypnotherapist for 3 years. My understanding of the mind-body connection plays an important role in how I help my clients. Mine is an integrative approach, which helps me tailor therapy to my client’s individual needs.
These days there is a great deal of scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of Hypnosis. I use a combination of Hypnotic techniques, including: Regression, Cognitive Behavioural Hypnosis, Inner-child work and Ego State therapy, Ego-strengthening, Mindfulness, as well as Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitisation (EMDR) to treat trauma.
I am of the view that all hypnosis is really ‘self-hypnosis’ and I aim to empower clients to create personal resources, develop coping skills and improve their self-belief and self-esteem. I provide recordings of hypnosis scripts used in sessions, as well as work sheets (where appropriate).
I am a member of the National Hypnotherapy Society (accredited by the Professional Standards Authority) as well as the Complementary Therapists Association (CThA).
Joanne Cole
I am a fully qualified BACP registered counsellor with a Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Relationship Studies. I have worked as a Relationship Counsellor for the charity Relate, providing relationship counselling and family counselling services; counselling with individuals, couples counselling, and family counselling, working with people of all ages and backgrounds with a range of presenting problems.
I then went on to work with an early intervention service alongside completing a further program of postgraduate study; a professional training in Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies Practice provided by the University of Exeter, which advanced my knowledge and experience in applying evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and competency in delivering interventions remotely online by secure video conferencing.
As an integrative therapist I have a toolbox of skills and techniques from different therapeutic orientations including Systemic Counselling, Psychodynamic Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), depending on what is required. My approach is collaborative which promotes client engagement, participation and choice, and facilitates adapting to each client’s individual needs to ensure effective practice and long-term positive outcomes for clients and their families.
Sharon Sheriff
I am a qualified BACP Accredited Integrative Psychotherapist who works with adults and adolescents in brief solution-focused and long-term therapy. I have extensive experience of working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, domestic violence, addictions, family issues, relationship issues, childhood abuse, loss, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, poor sleep patterns, cultural issues, work based bullying, and crisis intervention (suicidal feelings).
I support my clients to identify the root causes of their issues and then formulate a therapeutic plan that outlines what changes need to made in order for the individual to achieve their goals.
I also have nearly 20 years of experience within the NHS and managing a counselling service for women, as well as running workshops and my own private practice.
Joelle Harari
I am a BACP and BCP Registered qualified psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist who works one to one with adults and young people. Starting to talk about your life with someone can be challenging; my aim is to provide a safe and supportive place for you to explore what is troubling you, so that we can work together to inspire change and improve mental and physical well-being.
In addition to working in private practice, I work as a student counsellor at both The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Central School of Speech and Drama. I have experience working with a wide range of emotional and behavioural issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, family relationship issues, eating disorders, self-harm, addictions, trauma, and bereavements.
Emma Shapero
I am a BACP member and qualified Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counsellor from Birkbeck, University of London, and have worked in schools in many areas of London with young people of diverse backgrounds. Trust and confidentiality are central to my practice – to create a space where the client can explore and reflect on their overwhelming emotions. I use art materials and play with younger clients to express their feelings. A young client recently said: “It is like you have given me a piggy bank where I can put my thoughts.”
I am experienced in dealing with struggles around bullying, abuse, eating disorders, low self-esteem, social isolation, identity issues, anxiety, and depression.
Currently I am working with a specialist child grief charity and in a Camden youth counselling service. I have taught parenting extensively in primary schools and I recognise the need to think around the stresses of family life, for both parent and child, and can provide evidence-based suggestions to help manage these difficulties.