Renaissance works with a number of associate therapists in our practice

Nathalie Baur

Nathalie’s integrative training allows her to draw from a variety of theoretical approaches. She combines existential, cognitive and psychodynamic modalities in a thoughtful way. Her approach to therapy is based on the fact that people are unique and distinctive and therefore one approach may not fit them all. She places the client-therapist relationship at the heart of an effective therapeutic process providing an honest and non-judgmental stance where your feelings can be expressed and contained in a safe and confidential setting. Her integrative stance allows her the flexibility to adapt to clients needs and where people are at the time of therapy either by making sense of the past and explore how it can sometimes be reconstructed in the present or getting back in touch with a more authentic self through acceptance and a better mind-body connection. She believes that an increased awareness can enable us to gain a greater clarity allowing them to develop long-lasting ways to cope better and start achieving our full potential.

Nathalie’s previous experience overseas has contributed to increase her awareness of how our culture and social world impact on each of us. Her ability to work within a multicultural environment and the challenges met when adapting to a new culture has developed her new interest to work with expatriates and individual with multiple ethnic/nationality origins. She also has a wide experience of working with business environment having a commercial and business background herself.

During the outbreak of COVID-19 Nathalie decided to take the steps towards regrouping a team of independent experts that she believes complement her approach to mental health and personal growth. The pandemic, like any unprecedented situations, has acted as catalyst and provided a window into what is fundamentally needed: a platform where like minded professionals connect and aim to contribute to the field of mental health and personal development in a collaborative and sustainable way. We hope this endeavour will generate the support people and organisations need so we can re-bounce and thrive again together.

Anna Jurek

Anna has a vast experience in working with adolescents and challenges both for young people and their parents that these period of transition brings.

In her approach to children and adolescents, Anna draws on person-centred and play therapy to discover the most adequate way to work with the clients’ difficulties. Anna offers a space in which a trustworthy relationship can be built, allowing a sense of safety to grow. Working together at the young person’s pace, difficult and confusing feelings, thoughts and behaviour can be explored. Using creative work and play provides a gentle and profound person centred avenue for expression, while the counselling relationship helps insight, self-awareness and self-care to develop. In her work with older children and adolescents Anna also uses techniques from a cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, neuroscience and a mindfulness approach and teach her clients techniques helping them to understand and cope with their difficulties, especially anxiety.

As well as meeting clients in a private setting, Anna is currently working both in primary and secondary schools for Place2Be counselling children on a long-term basis. She works in a collaborative manner, engaging with families to gain a full understanding of the difficulties, and determine the most effective way forward. Counselling is based on one-to-one sessions with a child or a young person; it can also include sessions just for parents helping them to understand their child’s needs. Please also note that parents and carers can expect to receive a free initial telephone consultation, prior to their child’s session.

Scott Houston

Scott’s talking therapy approach offers empathy, understanding, is non-judgemental and is conducted in an environment that is confidential and safe as thoughts, feelings, relationships, family history and past traumas or deficits are explored sensitively to make sense of these issues so that the client feels relief from their distress and once again has greater control of their own life.

Scott draws upon different schools of psychotherapy to establish how the past might be impacting the present and how current issues in private or working life may be causing difficulties or distress. He works relationally, placing the client at the heart of the process, and it is this dual relationship that can work as a transformative force for change, growth and healing to help the client recover from whatever problems are troubling them.

The therapeutic relationship that the client and himself create, together, can be a source of support and comfort, while providing a place in which to make sense of these issues, challenge perceptions, and highlight unhelpful behavioural and thought patterns, so that new ways of relating can be learnt and ultimately allow an authentic self to enjoy living again.

Scott holds a life experience of feeling different and belonging to a minority group and has used this knowledge and his training to volunteer and work for LGBTQ organisations in dealing with a wide range of problems, especially those within the LGBTQ community, around sex, sexuality, identity, addiction, anxiety, depression, shame and self-esteem.

Chris Matcham

Chris is an integrative therapist, meaning that he uses information and knowledge from various schools of thought, in order to find a unique way for clients to achieve a greater sense of contentment and calm within their lives. The work could be focused on the emotional consequences of a particular event or by simply thinking about the presenting symptoms, such as feeling anxious or sad, which might not initially have direct or known causes.

Chris might examine the client’s personal history and past relationships to see what internalised/learnt behaviours may be counter-productive to their well-being, or he might assist reflection on the meaning one has in their life: Are there difficulties in seeking purpose? Does life seem to offer less than expected? Exploration of the various aspects of life and reality can be undertaken in order to seek a narrative that allows clients to see what it is possible to change in order to get closer to personal, emotional and practical goals.

Chris’ relational approach to therapy is reflected in his person-centred encounter with clients. He endeavours to focus on the client’s experiences and understand how the various elements in life may impact on one’s feelings, in order to find a way for the client’s unique thought processes and/or behaviour to change enough for them to feel better.

Chris is currently working towards his BACP accreditation. He also has in interest in facilitating/ assisting with group therapy.

Jennifer Ofori

Jennifer Ofori UKCP Accredited, (MBACP) is a qualified and fully accredited counselling psychotherapist who has gained experience working in private, voluntary educational and public sectors- which includes her work: for an IAPT/NHS service offering counselling to clients on a short term basis.

As a registered and accredited counselling psychotherapist she currently works in private practice with both adults and members of the younger generation (aged 7+). She has extensive experience working with adults and members of the younger generation with depression and/or anxiety, behavioural issues, as well as issues relating to the family. She has also gained experience volunteering for HRH The Duchess of Cambridge patron organisation: The Place2Be, counselling children on a long-term basis. Please also note that when working with members of the younger generation parents, can expect to receive a free initial telephone consultation, prior to their child’s session.

As an integrative existential humanistic practitioner, Jennifer works from an existential base, encouraging her clients to gain greater meaning of their experiences, thoughts, feelings and behaviours, in a creative and collaborative way. Jennifer recognizes the importance of continuing her professional development and is currently in the process of completing her doctoral research project with Middlesex University. This is due to be completed by the end of this academic year.

Emma Swaisland

It is perfectly normal to experience some level of distress – we wouldn’t be human otherwise – but there are times when we can feel overwhelmed or vulnerable and our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour trouble us in unhelpful and sometimes destructive ways. As your therapist, Emma will help you share your problems and gain perspective about the things that are troubling you; identify what might be stopping you from functioning well, reaching your potential, or enjoying healthy relationships; and explore what could work to improve your situation.

Emma holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychotherapy from Roehampton University, and is a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy). As an integrative therapist, she draws from a mix of humanistic and cognitive behavioural therapeutic approaches depending on the needs and preferences of her clients, the issues they bring and their previous experience of therapy, if relevant. Her aim is to support you to safely examine your experience and feelings, learn strategies for coping, explore your options for change and adapt to the things you perhaps cannot change.

Emma has experience working across a range of services in the voluntary, NHS and private sectors. Prior to training in psychotherapy, Emma worked for over 20 years in the corporate sector where she managed teams and mentored colleagues and students. She has a good understanding of the pressures of working life, particularly the balance between the professional and the personal, the public and the private. Emma has worked with clients to explore a range of issues including depression, panic & anxiety; addiction; low confidence and self-esteem; relationship difficulties; career & life choices; pregnancy and fertility issues; bereavement & loss; and recovery from trauma or abuse. Emma works with clients both short and longer-term; she is experienced in both and what works best for you is something to discuss during your first session. Reduced rates are available to students and those on a low income, please enquire.

Our therapists

Nathalie Baur

Anna Jurek

Chris Matcham

Emma Swaisland

Jennifer Ofori

Scott Houston