Gordon McIntosh

I see clients Monday to Thursday between 7am and 9pm. Sessions are weekly, last 50 minutes, and take place at the same time each week, as this consistency is an important part of the therapeutic process.

I take regular breaks throughout the year, planned in advance and always discussed with clients.

For further details about my practice, fees, and approach, please visit: clerkenwellpsychotherapy.com

I am a psychodynamic therapist based in Clerkenwell, London. My work is informed by professional experience in social care, education, and therapeutic practice, together with advanced training in psychotherapy. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice from the University of Oxford, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Jungian Studies at the British Association of Psychotherapy. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MÂ鶹ԭ´´).

I work with people from diverse backgrounds and identities. I have a particular interest in questions of masculinity, social class, sexuality, and identity, as well as the challenges faced by those who may feel marginalised or outside the mainstream. I also have experience of working with neurodiversity. These interests shape my practice but do not define it — therapy is open to anyone who wants to reflect more deeply on their life.

My approach is relational and reflective. Psychodynamic therapy looks not only at present concerns but also at the ways earlier experiences and relationships may continue to shape current patterns. Alongside this, I draw on relational, existential, and interpersonal perspectives where these are useful. The aim is not to offer quick solutions but to encourage understanding, self-reflection, and the possibility of change.

People come with a wide range of concerns — including anxiety, depression, relationship strain, identity questions, or a sense of being stuck. Some come for a shorter period to focus on a specific difficulty, while others work over the longer term, using therapy as a sustained process of reflection and development. However you begin, we would start with an initial assessment, which may be brief or extend over several sessions, depending on what feels useful.

Clerkenwell Counselling & Psychotherapy is a private practice offering psychodynamic therapy in central London and online. Sessions usually take place once a week for 50 minutes, at the same time each week, as consistency is an important part of the process. For some people, meeting more than once a week is helpful, and this can be discussed where it feels appropriate.

The rhythm and reliability of therapy allow concerns to be explored in depth, while also giving time for gradual change to emerge. This continuity provides a structure in which trust can develop, making it possible to approach difficulties that may otherwise feel overwhelming.

Therapy can be focused and shorter in duration, particularly where there is a specific concern such as anxiety, low mood, or a difficult life transition. For others, the work may extend over a longer period, addressing more enduring themes around relationships, identity, and self-understanding. At the start, we meet for an initial assessment, which may be a single meeting or extend over several sessions, depending on what feels most useful.

Although many people begin therapy at a point of crisis or distress, others come with a broader wish for reflection and personal development. My practice provides a steady and thoughtful framework for both.

I take regular breaks throughout the year, which are planned in advance and always discussed with clients.

The first meeting is a 50-minute consultation. It is a space to talk about what has brought you to therapy, to ask questions, and to get a sense of whether continuing feels right. This may be a single session or extend over several, depending on what feels most useful.

My fees are on a sliding scale depending on income, and I also offer a limited number of reduced-fee places for people who are unemployed, on low wages, in full-time study, or who are asylum seekers or refugees.

Please contact me directly to discuss availability. An initial assessment will need to be conducted in order to agree both the timescale and the investment required for the training programme.

Administration and operational training

In addition to teaching, I have extensive experience in the planning and management of training programmes. I am able to assess organisational training needs, structure and formulate programmes to meet those needs, and design and present tailored content that is both engaging and effective. I can deliver training directly, oversee assessment of learning outcomes, and ensure that programmes meet both internal standards and external accreditation requirements.

I provide training for organisations across statutory, voluntary, and third-sector settings, as well as private care homes, residential services, agencies, and charitable trusts. Whatever the context, I adapt my approach to the specific needs and culture of the organisation.

I also bring experience in auditing training provision, both internally and externally, to maintain consistency and quality across organisations. My approach is collaborative and systemic: I work closely with management teams to align training with organisational goals, address operational challenges, and embed learning into everyday practice. This ensures that training is not simply a one-off event but part of a wider strategy for professional and organisational development.

I am a fully qualified trainer with a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training. Over the past 30 years I have taught Health, Social Care, Counselling, Psychology, and Early Years Child Care across a wide range of levels, from introductory courses through to Level 7 in both colleges and universities.

I have designed and delivered modular degree programmes, including a specialist degree for learning mentors in Islington, and I have provided INSET training within further education colleges on behavioural management in the classroom and approaches to conflict resolution. My teaching has always aimed to combine academic depth with practical application, ensuring that learners at every stage feel equipped to work effectively and ethically.

My specialisms include childcare, youth work, transitions, and diversity, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ issues and human rights. I have also taught modules for social workers, including adult representations, and continue to engage in the training of counsellors through experiential groups and reflective practice.

As Training Manager at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, I led staff inductions, initiated NVQs, and audited both internal and external training provision. This role required balancing rigorous standards with sensitivity to the complex realities of frontline care.

Across all contexts, I bring a blend of clinical, educational, and organisational experience. My focus is on creating an engaging and reflective learning environment that supports professional growth, encourages critical thinking, and equips practitioners to work confidently with diverse communities.

Initial contact

I usually begin with a conference call with your management team to discuss your training requirements and explore the practical implications. From there, we can consider the most effective way to operationalise the programme. This initial assessment stage is offered free of charge, giving you the opportunity to evaluate whether my contribution adds value before making any commitment.