Hi, I’m Carly.
I’m a BACP registered therapist in East and North London, offering in-person and online sessions.
"It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found."
— D.W. Winnicott
My Philosophy
I believe that much of our suffering makes sense when we understand it in the context of our lives. We develop ways of protecting ourselves that may once have been necessary or helpful. But as our circumstances change, those same ways of coping can leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed.
Therapy is not always about making difficult feelings disappear. Anxiety, sadness, anger, or uncertainty can have something to tell us. Rather than simply trying to get rid of them, we can become curious about why they arise, what they may be protecting us from, and why we respond to them as we do. As we understand these parts of ourselves better, they can begin to feel less frightening or overwhelming.
I believe that understanding can create the possibility of choice. We may find ourselves returning to the same difficulties more than once, gradually noticing what happens in these moments—what we feel, what we expect from others, and how we respond. What once happened automatically can become easier to recognise and, over time, respond to differently.
Some of this work happens through the relationship we build together. The difficulties you experience with others may begin to show up between us too—perhaps around trust, closeness, disagreement, rejection, or letting yourself be known. When this happens, we can slow things down and think together about what you experienced and what made a particular response feel necessary. This allows us to understand familiar patterns as they are happening, rather than only talking about them afterwards.
I take an active role in this process. I may notice connections, return to something you have said, or draw attention to something that seems to be repeating. I offer these thoughts with curiosity rather than certainty, so that we can think together about what feels true and meaningful for you.
Making sense of experiences that once felt disconnected can bring relief. It can also bring us into contact with loss, disappointment, and things we wish had been different. I don’t believe therapy is about telling you how to live. Instead, we approach what emerges together, at a pace that feels manageable.
My hope is that therapy can help you become less governed by old patterns and less frightened of your own emotional life—giving you greater freedom to feel, to relate, and to choose how you want to live.
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
About Me
My work is driven by a desire to understand the context of our lives and how we can find a way forward through even the most complex difficulties. I aim to offer a space that is thoughtful, steady, and deeply human, where experiences can be explored with care and attention.
Academic foundation
I hold a First Class degree in Counselling from the University of East London. This clinical training forms the backbone of my practice and ensures that my work is grounded in established therapeutic principles.
My earlier academic background includes an MA from the University of St Andrews and an MSc from the London School of Economics in International Relations and Human Rights. This foundation supports my ability to hold the wider picture of a person’s life, including how identity, power, relationships, and social context can shape emotional experience and inner wellbeing.
Clinical experience
I currently work in private practice, primarily with adults at different stages of life and with a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties.
Before moving into private practice, I worked with young people aged 16 to 24 at Depaul UK, supporting those experiencing relationship breakdown, housing insecurity, and significant emotional distress. I have also worked as a Recovery Worker with adults at St Mungo’s, supporting people through periods of homelessness, instability, and complex life circumstances.
Although my role at St Mungo’s was not as a therapist, both experiences shaped the way I work today. They deepened my understanding of resilience, the ways our circumstances can affect our emotional lives, and the pace at which meaningful change can occur. They also taught me the importance of being a steady and thoughtful presence when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.
Private practice and areas of focus
I currently offer online sessions, as well as in-person therapy in Hackney, and Camden. I have particular experience and interest in working with:
Relationship patterns and identity
Exploring how early experiences, attachment, culture, and personal history shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
Self-criticism and self-worth
Working with harsh internal voices that can lead to anxiety, shame, emotional overwhelm, or a sense of being stuck.
High-functioning anxiety and depression
Supporting people who may appear to be coping well externally, while internally struggling with pressure, low mood, disconnection, or exhaustion.
The impact of complex life experiences
Helping people make sense of the longer-term emotional effects of difficult or destabilising experiences, informed by my background in high-intensity support work.
Fees and First Steps
My fee is £70 for a 50-minute session. Sessions are weekly and I work on either a short-term basis of around 12 sessions or on a longer-term, open-ended basis. I offer a limited number of low-cost sessions for those who may not otherwise be able to access private therapy.
The first step is an initial low-cost assessment session, offered at £15.50 This gives us a chance to think together about what you are looking for and whether working together feels like the right fit. After this, my standard fee applies.
If you are curious or feel that we might be a good fit, you are very welcome to get in touch using the contact form. I can then share further details about in-person and online sessions.