Sophie Corke

COUPLE PSYCHOTHERAPY

Relationships can come under pressure for many reasons and sometimes couples find that rather than being able to pull together, life's stresses seem to be driving them further apart. There may have been a particular event, such as an affair or a bereavement that is testing your relationship or the source of your difficulties may feel harder to pin down. You may have reservations about starting therapy, however in my experience most couples find it a relief to be able to talk in a safe setting.

The psychodynamic/psychoanalytic approach is non-judgmental, and helps you to understand how your own individual histories and the history of your relationship has brought you to this point. Through this process you may uncover thoughts and feelings that you were unaware of or have not felt able to express, giving you a new perspective on your relationship.

Above all you and your partner should be able to start listening to one another again, increasing your understanding of the other's point of view. The focus will be on what you have co-created in your relationship rather than either person being at fault. Many couples are able to reconnect and rediscover the joy in their relationship through this process. Some may make the decision to separate. The important thing is that therapy will give you the space to reassess your relationship and to move on from your current difficulties.

Some of the reasons couples come to therapy.

- Entrenched and repetitive arguments.
- Bereavement or financial loss.
- Loss of desire or other sexual difficulties.
- One or both partners having an affair.
- Issues around starting a family and parenting.
- Dealing with separateness and difference.
- Illness and/or depression of one partner.
- Co-parenting
- Separation and divorce.
- Issues around life changes such as "empty nesting" or retirement.
- Wanting to improve a particular area of the relationship.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

I have wide-ranging experience of working with adults of all ages from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I aim to build a trusting relationship in which the difficulties you bring can be explored in a non-judgmental setting. Together we will look at your current issues in the light of your past experiences and relationships, so that connections begin to be made. A greater understanding of some of your unconscious thoughts and feelings can help you to feel less stuck and to increase your compassion for yourself and for others in your life.

Some of the issues that people bring to individual therapy include:
- Anxiety and/or depression.
- Relationship issues, issues around sex.
- Childhood or more recent trauma.
- Lack of confidence.
- Loneliness.
- Bereavement.
- Dealing with illness, either your own or of someone close to you.
- Feeling generally dissatisfied or stuck.

SOME PRACTICAL ISSUES

Therapy takes place weekly for couples, and once or twice weekly for individual clients.
Individual sessions are for 50 minutes. Couple sessions are for 50 minutes or 1 hour.

I offer a free 15 minute chat on the phone to potentially organise a first session. I will discuss my fee with you at this point and let you know what times I have available.
The initial consultation is initially over two or three sessions, at which point we can decide whether you want to continue.

Therapy can be open ended or short-term. For short-term therapy we will focus on a particular issue.

IN PERSON OR REMOTE SESSIONS

I am now back to seeing clients in person as well as continuing to offer therapy via phone and Zoom.

Since the pandemic, many have found remote therapy to be effective for them, especially where attending in person is not possible for some reason. Some people feel uncertain about starting sessions on Zoom, however generally people I have worked with are surprised at how quickly they feel comfortable with meeting in this way. Some even feel freer to speak about particular issues.

For others meeting in person remains the first choice, and I will be offering in person sessions in both London and Godalming.

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

I have over 10 years experience of working in mental health. After an initial training as a counsellor, I then completed the 4 year post-graduate training to work as an individual psychodynamic psychotherapist at WPF Therapy in London. Alongside my private practice in London and Godalming I then undertook an additional 2 year training at the Tavistock and Portman in psychodynamic/psychoanalytic couple therapy.

I have had substantial experience working in NHS settings at Guy's Hospital and Farnham Road Hospital in psychiatric outpatient services. This gave me experience of working with clients with complex presentations needing to be seen in institutional settings.

I continue to update my professional knowledge and I abide by the Codes of Conduct and Ethical Standards of the professional bodies with which I am registered, including the BACP and the BPC.