07884 186 106
amanda@amanda-m-counselling.com
Amanda McDermott
BACP Registered and NCPS Accredited therapist offering online, face to face & telephone counselling.
About me, Amanda
I provide one-to-one counselling via secure online platforms such as Zoom and Skype, via the telephone and face to face in North London. In very specific circumstances I also occasionally offer home visits.
I am a fully qualified, Trauma Informed, Integrative Counsellor offering a safe, judgement free, supportive and empathic space for you to explore your present and past experiences.
Being an Integrative Therapist means I draw on and incorporate various approaches to therapy in order to provide you with a more personalised counselling service that suits you, your current situation and your goals. Trauma Informed practice means that my approach to working with people who have experienced trauma is very much non-pathologizing. All trauma responses are a natural part of the healing process and my goal is to help you to understand this process so that you can move through it with understanding and support.
I can offer you a safe space where you will feel respected, heard and supported.
My counselling approach is both relaxed and interactive, and I have incorporated techniques from various schools of counselling, writers and teachers in this field. I believe deeply in empowering individuals to enable them to make changes in their lives. I employ person centred, existential, psychodynamic and solution focused techniques, deep empathic listening, reflection and analysis. I have a particular interest in the impact trauma can have on the body and in working with individuals who have experienced rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse.
Other issues I work with include, but are not limited to; anxiety, depression, domestic violence, trauma, stress and neurodiversity.
Although there is still some stigma attached to taking up therapy and discussing mental health, taking the time to explore and talk about our emotional needs and mental health can be extremely rewarding. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch – I would be happy to discuss whatever is on your mind.
How does counselling help?
Much of the research into what works in therapy has found that it is the therapeutic relationship that is formed between the counsellor and the client that has the greatest impact.
This therapeutic relationship focuses on what you need to heal, creates greater self-awareness and helps to highlight how your own past and present circumstances may have affected the way you feel.
Through this awareness you are able to develop new insights and be open to seeing greater possibilities when faced with feeling overwhelming anxieties that may have previously felt unmanageable.
Why integrative therapy?
Integrative Counselling can be described as an approach to therapy that draws on the use of specific techniques and key concepts from various approaches to fit the individual needs of the client. The advantage of integrative therapy is its pluralistic approach and the ability to focus on the whole of the individual and integrate different approaches to meet a range of needs, making it a more flexible and inclusive approach than singular forms of therapy.
My own approach to integrative therapy is assimilative in nature, using Carl Rogers’ Person Centred Approach of relationship based therapy as a starting point, while also drawing on some of the key concepts and interventions of the Existential, Psychodynamic and Solution Focussed approaches to counselling. It is my belief that the integration of techniques should remain fluid throughout the process in order to continually adapt according to the client’s needs. In other words, my integration of techniques will not be limited to a one-technique per person style, but rather the techniques will be integrated throughout the individual therapeutic process.
It is important to note that the technique of the therapist should not define the therapeutic experience, but rather, it should come from the experience, and therefore, while it is a useful starting point in achieving theoretical integration to have a central framework, this benefits from a degree of flexibility in order to really meet the individual needs of the client, and should not be imposed upon the therapeutic process.
Trauma Informed Practice
Recognising the impact of trauma means understanding how deeply it can affect a person’s body, emotions, relationships, and sense of safety. Trauma-informed work seeks to prevent re-traumatisation by prioritising choice and collaboration, at a manageable pace for the individual. Clients are supported to feel safe, heard, and respected throughout the process. Incorporating psychoeducation into this process can help clients make sense of their reactions and reduce self-blame. By avoiding the pathologisation of these responses, the focus shifts from "what's wrong with you" to "what has happened to you", supporting a more validating and empowering process of healing.
Help for Survivors of Violence & Abuse
A holistic, trauma-informed approach to therapy for individuals affected by rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Acknowledging the lasting impact of trauma on the body, emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Care is taken to avoid approaches that may feel overwhelming or re-traumatising, with a strong emphasis on safety, trust, and choice. The work moves at a pace led by the client, supporting them to feel in control of their own process. Through compassion, consistency, and gentle exploration, therapy supports clients in making sense of their experiences and rebuilding a sense of stability, self-worth, and empowerment.
Help for Neurodivergent Clients
Supporting clients to explore the emotional impact of neurodivergence involves creating space to reflect on how it shapes feelings, identity, and relationships. A diagnosis can bring relief and validation, but also grief, anger, or confusion. Counselling helps clients process these responses at a pace that feels safe. Rather than trying to "fix" differences, the focus is on recognising strengths. Support is tailored to help manage challenges in realistic, sustainable ways. The aim is to build self-understanding, reduce shame, and strengthen self-acceptance.
Help for Anxiety, Depression, Bereavement & More…
Integrating effective counselling modalities to support individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, chronic pain, grief and loss, social isolation, stress, disability, menopause, identity issues, LGBTQ+ counselling, low self-confidence, relationship difficulties, and more. Support is also offered to individuals diagnosed with enduring mental health conditions, including BPD, schizophrenia, psychosis, and dissociative disorders, among others. Approaches are tailored to the individual, taking into account their unique experiences, needs, and goals.
Rates
£55 per 50 minute session - online & phone
Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Sessions last for 50 minutes and usually take place on a weekly basis. I am happy to work short or long term with my clients. A discounted rate available when block-booking a set of 6 or more sessions. Payments should be made in advance of the session via BACS transfer. If you're currently unemployed or on a low income, I may be able to offer a reduced rate for online & phone sessions. Please contact to discuss.
Ready To Talk?
I am happy to arrange a free initial telephone call to talk about how we might be able to work together before you commit to a therapy session. I work via Zoom, phone & Face to Face.