Fran Roberts Psychotherapy

Counselling and Psychotherapy in Herne Hill, Waterloo and Shoreditch

I am an Integrative counsellor and use a variety of approaches including CBT, MBCT, person centred and solution focused brief therapy. I combine these approaches according to the clients’ needs, believing strongly that no two people or issue can be solved with one process. I specialise in many areas including anxiety, depression, identity issues, relationships, self-esteem, well-being, self-harm and general counselling.

"It is tremendously liberating to realise that your thoughts are not 'real' or 'reality'. They are simply mental events. They are not you"
Mark Williams & Danny Penman from their book 'Mindfulness'

A variety of concerns can bring someone into counselling, and it’s not always an easy decision to make. My practice considers the difficulties surrounding that decision and the process itself. I work closely with you to build a working relationship that reflects your specific needs and goals. And I encourage regular updates on how we feel it is going and if there are any changes that need to be made. It is vitally important to me that you are comfortable with the path we are on.

About Me

I have always been interested in how and why we all handle situations differently. After completing my first degree in psychology I decided to get some life experience before embarking on a career in counselling. I worked in fundraising and PR for a variety of charities until the desire to work one- to- one became too great and led me back to university to study Counselling and Counselling skills and then a Post-graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Whilst waiting to start the latter I trained and qualified as a well-being facilitator and ran workshops in London and the South East for groups, including local job centres and women’s groups. The workshops were based around helping people develop self-esteem and build confidence.

My Work

I am a member of the London Counselling Collective, an independent group of counsellors working across London to provide accessible, empathic and effective counselling to all. I also worked at CASSEL Centre, a charity in South East London, as an Honorary Counsellor where we provided free and low cost clients along with private clients. I was also the counsellor for Lewisham Young Women’s Resource Project in partnership with CASSEL Centre working with vulnerable young females aged between 13 and 25. I find the variety in my work allows me to continue to explore new areas and learn about the various different experiences that each and every one of us encounters.

Over the course of the past couple of years I have found that my work has focused more and more on the area of mindfulness. This area has always personally interested me and I use it to help me understand myself better and focus on what’s important. I have also been amazed at the impact it has on clients from all backgrounds with a variety of issues. The clients themselves talk about feeling in control, content, focused and calm. I have witnessed clients move from a place of anger and fear to wellbeing and resilience. Knowing how and why your mind works the way it does allows you to take responsibility for what happens in there. You are able to witness your thoughts and recognise negative thought patterns and unhelpful thinking. You are able to find space and calmness in the moment, even when the rest of the world is rushing by.