Simon Tilbury

I currently have spaces Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm, and Saturdays 10-6pm. Please contact me to arrange a convenient time.

I am a psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counsellor offering both short-term and long-term therapy. I am warm, supportive, & non-judgemental. With me you can explore your experiences in a safe, welcoming environment. I want you to relax and feel like you can say anything you need to without fear or shame.

You may be facing a particular challenge or you may feel weighed down and generally low, feeling that life isn’t as hopeful or as happy as you thought it would be. Therapy can help you discover a way forward – we are all capable of finding new freedom and new possibilities, no matter what our past looked like or how we feel now.

My psychodynamic approach can help you identify patterns of thought and feeling that keep you 'stuck'. Most of us are living in a story of ourselves that wasn't created by us and is hard to understand while we are in it. Together, we will build an understanding of your inner world, noticing why you might feel, think, & do what you do. With this deeper understanding will come space to notice, acknowledge, & grieve the things you haven’t felt able to in the past. With a greater understanding of the way you experience the world, & of the origins and influences that came together to create the unique person that you are, you will be able to find new ways to be. Leaving you with a greater sense of self-awareness and the freedom to live life more authentically.

I offer therapy for: depression, low mood, anxiety, relationship difficulties, chronic health conditions, neurodivergence (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD), sexuality & identity, & others (pls ask). I am neuro-divergent friendly, LGBTQI+ and trans affirming, I offer a safe space for all humans.

Our therapetic conversation will be built on trust, compassion and meeting you where you are. My approach is warm, relational, supportive and welcomes playful exploration and dialogue. Laughter is very much allowed! You won't find yourself talking at a blank wall or feeling under pressure to keep thinking what to say. Collaborative exploration enables discovery of new ways of feeling, thinking and acting. Most clients slowly and steadily feel stronger and happier over time.

I work psychodynamically, with some elements of humanistic and interpersonal approaches. ‘Psychodynamic’ means that we think about how your early life and significant relationships have had an impact on the way you think and feel now. We revisit any experiences that may be troubling you, and we wonder about how they have affected you. 

I have personal experience of neurodivergence. I understand the challenges facing many with neurodivergent characteristics & diagnoses. Social stress, workplace challenges, sensory overload, cognitive burnout, shame, feeling alien and ‘wrong’ in a neurotypical world. 

My own experience of long-term health challenges has given me valuable insight into what it’s like to live with a condition that limits your choices and opportunities. I can support you to think about how you are now, to develop acceptance, and to begin to put in place strategies that may lead to new ways of approaching mind and body.

As a creative artist and former editor, I have intimate experience of the challenges people working in the arts and creative industries often face: stress and burnout; creative blocks; self-criticism; harsh self-talk; extreme lack of confidence; the shock of success (imposter syndrome and dissociation); the burdens of failure.

Creative work is demanding and can uncover dimensions of yourself that can be painful and distressing. A sympathetic therapist can help you understand, explore, and resolve the issues that arise as you move through your creative journey.

I offer a free 15-minute phone call for us to have an opening conversation about your needs, and if you decide to find out more, I offer a low-cost first session for us to meet (in person or online) and discuss in more depth your reasons for seeking therapy, your expectations, how I work, and to think about whether you want to continue and on what basis (short-term, fixed number of sessions, open-ended). No obligation. If you decide to continue, our sessions will be weekly at the same time and location (or online) and will last 50 minutes.

15 minute initial call: free

50-minute discovery session: £15

Full session (50 minutes): £60