What is psychodynamic therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of depth psychotherapy rooted in psychoanalytic thought. It proceeds from the conviction that much of what shapes our behaviour, our relationships, and our suffering lies outside conscious awareness — not hidden in some mystical sense, but simply not yet articulated, not yet seen.

The work involves talking. But it is a particular kind of talking: one that pays attention to what returns, to what is avoided, to what is said and what cannot quite be said. Over time, patterns become visible. And visibility, in this work, is not merely intellectual — it tends to shift things.

How is psychodynamic therapy different from CBT?

CBT focuses on identifying and changing specific patterns of thought and behaviour, usually within a defined timeframe. It is skills-based and structured, and for certain presentations it has good evidence behind it.

Psychodynamic therapy asks a different question. Rather than asking how to change a behaviour, it asks what the behaviour is doing there in the first place. Research suggests its effects are often more lasting — gains continue to accumulate even after the work ends.

What is relational psychotherapy?

Relational psychotherapy is a development within the psychoanalytic tradition — one that places particular emphasis on the therapeutic relationship itself as both the medium and the instrument of change. Rather than treating the therapist as a neutral screen onto which the client projects, relational work understands the therapist as a full participant in the encounter: someone who is also, in subtle ways, affected, moved, and accountable.

This does not mean the boundary between therapist and client dissolves — it means the work is more honest about what it actually is: a relationship, with all that entails. The relational approach draws on the thinking of analysts such as Stephen Mitchell, Jessica Benjamin, and D.W. Winnicott, and is the theoretical ground from which the Relational Integrity framework was developed.

The honest answer is: you probably don't, and you don't need to. Readiness is often not a state you arrive at before beginning — it is something that develops in the early sessions, as you discover whether you can use the space.

What is usually enough is a sense that something needs to change, or be understood more clearly, and a willingness to sit with that — at least for a session or two — without knowing exactly where it leads. The capacity to tolerate some uncertainty is more useful than a clear idea of what you are hoping to achieve.

If you are wondering whether therapy might be for you, that wondering is itself a reasonable starting point.

How often are sessions, and how long does therapy take?

Most people come once a week. Some come more frequently, particularly as the work deepens. Session frequency is something we establish together, based on what makes sense for you.

As for duration: psychodynamic therapy does not have a fixed endpoint. Some people work for six months with a specific focus. Others continue for years, finding that what they are working on keeps revealing new layers. Neither is more or less valid. The length of therapy tends to be determined by the person and the work, not by an external schedule.

The first session is a meeting. I ask some questions; you ask some questions; we talk about what has brought you here and what, if anything, you are hoping for. I will say what I hear and what I think I might be able to offer. You will get a sense of whether this feels like the right place.

There is no intake form to complete beforehand, no assessment questionnaire. The first session is simply a conversation — one that takes seriously the possibility that this might become something more, without presuming that it will.

At the end of it, you decide whether you want to continue. I do the same.

Do you see clients online as well as in person?

Yes. A significant proportion of my practice is online. The format adapts — but the quality of attention does not. Online work is not a lesser version of therapy. I see clients based in France, elsewhere in Europe, and internationally.

Do you work with couples?

Yes. Couples counselling is part of the practice. The work is psychodynamically informed — meaning we attend to what each person brings to the relationship, not only to the surface conflicts. Couples counselling is offered in English and French.

More detail is on the (Couples Counselling page)

I'm an expat in Paris. Is that relevant to the therapy?

It can be. Living in a country that is not the one you formed in raises particular questions about identity, belonging, and what gets carried across borders and what gets left behind. The experience of displacement — even chosen, even comfortable displacement — tends to complicate attachment, self-image, and the sense of continuity across time.

These are not exotic concerns. They are ordinary psychological ones, and they are worth taking seriously in their own right rather than treating them as background noise. If your experience of being international, multilingual, or culturally between two places feels relevant to what you are carrying, we can work with that directly.

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What is the difference between a psychologue, a psychothérapeute, and a psychiatre in France?

A psychiatre is a medical doctor specialised in psychiatry — they can prescribe medication and consultations are reimbursed by the Sécurité Sociale. A psychologue holds a recognised university degree in psychology (minimum Master's level) — the title is regulated in France. A psychothérapeute is a regulated title requiring either a medical degree or a psychology degree plus specific training. Many practitioners hold more than one of these qualifications. What matters most, beyond the title, is the depth and orientation of the training.

How do I get in touch or book a session?

The simplest way is to use the booking page on this site, or to send a message through the contact form. The first session can usually be arranged within a reasonable timeframe, subject to availability. If you are uncertain about anything before reaching out, you are welcome to include those questions in your message.

What do you charge, and is it covered by French health insurance?

Fees are available on enquiry. I am glad to discuss this directly, without formality.

On the question of French insurance (Sécurité Sociale / mutuelle): in France, reimbursement for psychotherapy depends on the professional's qualifications and status, and the rules have been evolving. Generally speaking, sessions with a psychologue or psychothérapeute in private practice are not reimbursed by the Sécurité Sociale, though some private mutuelle policies offer partial reimbursement. This is worth checking with your own insurance provider. I can provide a receipt (*note d'honoraires*) for all sessions.

If questions of cost are a significant factor in your decision, please write — there is usually a way to have a sensible conversation about this.