Understanding Your Past, Making Space for Change
Warm, collaborative psychotherapy for adults seeking to make sense of their experiences, understand familiar patterns and explore what they want to change.
A Space to Understand Yourself
Sometimes we find ourselves repeating familiar patterns, struggling in our relationships, or feeling that something in our lives needs to change. You might be used to carrying responsibility and meeting high expectations, or be navigating questions about identity, creativity or the direction you want your life to take. Perhaps there are experiences from your past that you haven't fully made sense of, or feelings that are difficult to put into words.
Whatever brings you to therapy, you don't need to have everything worked out before we begin.
What Brings You Here?
You're used to carrying a lot of responsibility.
You may be someone others rely on, accustomed to managing expectations and keeping things going. But beneath the surface, you might feel overwhelmed, disconnected or unsure of what you really want for yourself.
You find yourself repeating familiar patterns.
Perhaps difficulties keep arising in your relationships, or you notice yourself responding to situations in ways you don't fully understand. You'd like to make sense of where these patterns come from and whether things could be different.
You're questioning who you are or where you're heading.
Changes in your life, relationships or circumstances may have left you questioning what matters to you. You might be thinking about identity, creativity or the direction you want your life to take.
There are parts of your story you haven't fully made sense of.
Your family history, early experiences or relationships may have shaped how you see yourself and the world. Perhaps there are things that have never been talked about, or experiences you're only now beginning to understand.
How I Work
Understanding Things Together
I see therapy as a collaborative process. I don't assume there are ready-made answers or that I know what is right for you. Instead, we work together to make sense of your experiences, notice connections and develop a deeper understanding of what might be happening beneath the surface.
My approach is integrative and responsive to you as an individual. Talking is central to our work, and when it feels helpful, we may also draw on imagery, metaphor, body awareness and creative approaches to explore experiences that can be difficult to put into words.
My background in art therapy brings additional ways of working. This might involve using images, materials or other creative processes to express or understand something that feels difficult to articulate. You don't need to be artistic or have any experience with creative methods; these are simply possibilities we can draw on if they feel useful to you.
I welcome people of all backgrounds and identities, including across differences in age, gender, culture, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, ability and faith. I recognise that each person's experiences are their own, and aim to approach our work together with openness, curiosity and respect.
About Me
A Perspective Shaped by Living Between Cultures
My perspective as a psychotherapist has been shaped by my own experience of leaving Ireland at 21 and living and working in different countries and cultural contexts. These experiences have deepened my awareness of how our histories, cultures and social circumstances shape the way we see ourselves and the world. They have also taught me not to make assumptions about people based on what might appear familiar or shared.
Through my work with the Irish community, I have developed a particular interest in how collective histories, including the legacy of colonisation, can influence identity, relationships and experiences of power. This has informed my understanding of the importance of recognising each person's individual story, including the experiences and influences that may not always be visible or easily spoken about.
I hold an MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy and have specialist training in trauma. My professional experience spans NHS and community settings in the UK, as well as many years of therapeutic work in different cultural contexts. My background in psychotherapy and art therapy has given me experience of working in different ways with people whose experiences have sometimes been overlooked, misunderstood or difficult to put into words.
I aim to offer a therapeutic relationship grounded in respect, openness and an appreciation of each person's individuality.
Before We Begin
Taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting. Before arranging a session, I offer a free 20-minute telephone conversation. This gives us an opportunity to talk briefly about what has brought you to therapy, what you are looking for, and any questions you may have.
It is also a chance for us to get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no obligation to continue, and you don't need to have everything figured out before we speak.
Beginning Therapy
ur first session is an opportunity to talk in more depth about what has brought you to therapy, what you hope might change, and what you would like from our work together. We can take time to think about what feels important to you and how we might approach it.
If we decide to continue, sessions usually take place weekly through secure online video calls. Each session lasts 50 minutes. Over time, we can develop an understanding of the experiences and patterns that may be affecting you, working at a pace that feels manageable and responsive to your needs.
Therapy is not a fixed process, and we can regularly reflect together on how things are going and what feels useful.
FAQs
My work often resonates with:
London-based professionals navigating transgenerational trauma, cultural identity, or the emotional impact of migration
Young adults (18–30) who feel adrift after education and want confidence, direction, and self-understanding
Parents and educators aligned with progressive, child-led values, seeking deeper emotional insight
Creatives, therapists, and helpers wanting reflective space for growth and integration
If this sounds like you, I’d be honoured to work together.
The initial telephone consultation is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have without any obligations. You may tell me a little about yourself and the issues you are struggling with and we can discuss how I might be able to help. It will last 20 minutes and is free of charge. When seeking therapy or counselling in London, you may want to meet with a few therapists before you settle on the right one for you.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and find out whether we can work together effectively. You should feel comfortable, confident, and motivated working with me. You can ask any questions about the therapeutic process or discuss any concerns.
There is no obligation to commit to therapy in the first session.
I will ask you what brings you to therapy at this time of your life and what you would like to achieve. I may want to find out about your background, things that are going well in your life and things you struggle with. The first session is also the time for me to discover whether I am a good match for you.
Ensure that you have access to a private room, where you feel safe to talk freely and are not distracted. For example, If you share your home and are worried about others overhearing, you may want to ask them to stay in another room and wear headphones or go out while you have your session.
For online sessions, it's a good idea to download the Zoom app and familiarise yourself with it before our initial session. This includes testing the audio and video.
You should also test connections/WIFI before the initial session to ensure that you can connect easily.
It is probably not a good idea to use your work computer or phone for our sessions and I suggest you mute all other notifications to avoid being disturbed.
You may want to prepare for your session by being in a quiet space at least a couple of minutes before our start time (I have enabled the 'waiting room' feature for this aim), having a glass of water near you and perhaps some art material (felt tips, paper, etc) or any other material in case you want to use it.
If your session is after work, I suggest that you take at least 20 minutes between finishing work and starting our session. You might even want to go for a short walk, do a meditation, or a short yoga practice. This can help you transition to a different head-space for your therapy session - especially if you are spending a lot of time taking work calls or participating in Zoom meetings.
If you have any problems connecting, you can email me to let me know. If we lose connection during the session, we should both try to log back in and failing that, revert to a phone call.
After the session you may want to plan for a little time for yourself - perhaps a short walk, or just sitting quietly for a while.
If you plan to cancel a session you are required to give at least 1 weeks’ notice.
Note: Continuity in therapy is vital for growth and progress. The space reserved for you each week is for your private ongoing sessions only. I cannot offer this to another client and therefore any missed sessions without giving at least one week’s notice must always be charged.
For any cancellations made by you within the week prior to your session, you will be required to pay for the missed sessions in full. However, where possible I will endeavour to offer you an alternative day/time/phone/online at a time that is convenient for both.
If you have any planned extended breaks or holidays please give at least 4 weeks’ notice.
All missed or unpaid sessions must be paid for at the next available opportunity (next session). Unpaid sessions will not be tolerated and I reserve the right to terminate therapy as a result of unpaid sessions.
If I cancel your session for any reason, you will not have to pay for your missed session. Where possible I will offer you an alternative day/time/phone/online at a time that is convenient for both. If you agree to take this offer, the normal session fee will apply.
I will notify you in advance of any planned breaks.
All my work is strictly confidential and private, and follows the ethical guidelines provided by:
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
I will not share any information from the sessions with your employer or family. Initial inquiries are also treated as fully confidential.
As a psychotherapist working online, I will take appropriate measures to protect the integrity and privacy of my computer system and will remove client material from my computer at the end of the contracted work.
To increase security:
1. I will password protected the meeting.
2. I do not record our sessions
3. I will use the 'lock meeting' feature once I have admitted you in the video call
I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and I abide by the General Data Protection Regulation.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07495092680 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
© Zoe Lambe Therapy
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