Frequently Asked Questions
Psychodynamic Counselling in Brighton & Hove

Psychodynamic therapy is concerned with exploring our experience throughout life. Events, thoughts and feelings from our childhood, school years, adolescence, and beyond can have long lasting influence on us. These influences may sometimes operate outside of our awareness, leading to hidden conflicts that impact our self image, emotions and relationships in the present day.

In Psychodynamic therapy, we seek to identify thoughts and feelings that arise in our current lives but may seem out of place. Many individuals who seek therapy carry a sense that life can be challenging, and discussions with friends and family have not eased the difficulty.

At times, expressing our true emotions may feel daunting. Therapy offers a private environment with clear boundaries, enabling you to find the confidence to voice whatever is on your mind, including thoughts that you might feel are hard to express elsewhere.

My training in relational Psychodynamic therapy equips me to create a safe and confidential space where you can openly share difficult thoughts and emotions or address the general sense of uncertainty about your feelings. Together, we will explore your experiences at your pace, aiming to uncover new insights that you can carry into your life beyond the therapy room.

My training and professional philosophy is guided by the belief that regular 50-minute weekly sessions provide the best therapeutic outcomes. We will find a time that suits you and I will commit to being available in the same place, at that time, every week. Some allowances can be made for shift workers who might not be able to guarantee availability in a regular time slot.


I practice open-ended therapy, where clients are encouraged to share their feelings about how the therapy is progressing and we might eventually come to a decision together that regular sessions are no longer needed.


My commitment to ethical practice means that I might occasionally discuss with clients that their experiences are beyond the scope of my professional expertise. In this case, I will provide referrals to other recommended professionals who might be a better fit.

I commit to maintaining strict levels of confidentiality for all clients. 


The exceptions are in cases where safeguarding concerns require me to take extra steps to ensure your safety, or the safety of others. In such cases, I will discuss with you what steps I feel need to be taken and will not break confidentiality without your knowledge.


We will meet in a quiet, dedicated counselling room, where we will not be interrupted. All confidential information is handled according to the ICO's data privacy guidelines.

Our first session is a full-length appointment offered at half price to acknowledge that you may not yet be fully committed to weekly sessions with me.

During this session, I will ask you for a general overview of your current state of mind and your reasons for seeking therapy. We will also cover key points from your past experiences that I believe may be relevant. Additionally, we will discuss your hopes for what you would like to achieve through therapy, whether in the short, medium, or long term.

After the first session, you will have the time and space to determine if I’m the right fit for your needs. There is no obligation to commit to ongoing sessions until you feel it's the right step for you.

In subsequent sessions, the focus will be on what comes to your mind. Each week will begin with me asking where you would like to start, allowing our interaction to unfold in the direction you feel ready to explore.

UKCP Trainee Member: 2011196889

Registered Member MBACP: 421781

Down Terrace, Brighton BN2 9ZH

contact@jonathanjamescounselling.co.uk