Andrea Mills

In person sessions available Wed - Fri during the day

No evening sessions currently available

I am qualified as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, trained in transactional analysis. I work in private practice in Hove. I work psychodynamically, which means we will explore how your present life experience is influenced by  unconscious patterns, past experiences, and internal conflicts.

I work with adults presenting with all types of symptoms, like anxiety, depression, feelings of being stuck, or alone, or simply a sense of not really knowing quite who you are. The main task of psychotherapy, in my view, is to work together to think about why you operate the way you do, what that means, perhaps consider where it comes from, and ultimately to come to a more peaceful place of acceptance about who you are and your history. Paradoxically, it is in accepting ourselves as who we really are that liberates our capacity for change. 

I also work as a volunteer counsellor for the charity One In Four in London, an organisation which specialises in counselling adult survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Counselling and psychotherapy are both talking therapies that can help boost mental well-being. I provide a confidential space for you to talk about whatever feels important to you, without feeling judged or shamed.

Counselling will usually have a more explicit purpose, for example to help overcome a particular life event such as a bereavement, separation, or fertility difficulties. Or there could be a specific personal issue such as social anxiety, sexual dysfunction etc. Counselling is weekly, can take place in person or online, and is likely to be shorter term than psychotherapy.

Broadly speaking, psychotherapy is more in-depth and longer term, with a focus on getting to the root of your issues and gaining a better understanding of how your mind works, and why. Psychotherapy with me is usually in person, and sessions are weekly at a minimum.

Both counselling and psychotherapy might include learning new skills and coping strategies.

The key to successful therapy is finding a therapist that is the right fit for you. I welcome the opportunity to have an introductory 20 minute call or meeting, free of charge, to help you asses whether I am the therapist you want to work with.