Mrs Samantha McDonnell

Member Status: Accredited

Member No: NCS20-01373

Location: London

Are you struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, abuse, loss, or relationships? I offer a warm and compassionate approach, drawing on a wide range of techniques and experience to help you find effective strategies to move forward. It’s my belief that spending time with an empathic, non-judgemental therapist, offers you the chance to feel truly seen and heard, perhaps for the first time, gaining insight into whatever brings you here. As a Humanistic therapist, I value our uniqueness as individuals and believe that we each have an innate capacity for healing and growth. I work with adults and offer both short-term and open-ended work, face-to-face, online or by telephone. I welcome clients from outside the UK who may wish to work online.

I have extensive experience of working with a diverse range of clients and issues, including LGBTQ+, those with personality disorders, PTSD/CPTSD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, low self-esteem, and/or survivors of bullying, sexual, domestic or historical abuse. I have a particular interest in relieving the combined effects on mind and body of unresolved trauma.

My approach is Humanistic Integrative, meaning I don't subscribe to a 'one size fits all' approach but can be flexible, adapting to your needs. I also incorporate Sensorimotor, Somatic Trauma Therapy and Mindfulness techniques in my work, which I find to be particularly effective for managing anxiety and post-traumatic stress. In addition, as a former professional singer and teacher, I'm familiar with careers and situations requiring you to perform under pressure.

I understand that upsetting events, relationships or painful emotions may block self-belief in our ability to heal ourselves. Spending time with a compassionate therapist can help unlock inner resources, develop self-compassion, and so foster healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

• Qualifications & Experience

  I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling from The Metanoia Institute where I'm also currently completing a Masters in Humanistic Psychotherapy.
  
  I'm a registered member of both BACP and UKCP, and am qualified and insured to work with adults, both face-to-face and online. My professional insurance also enables me to work with clients from outside the UK.
  
  I've trained in Somatic Trauma Therapy with Babette Rothschild and am also currently training with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. In addition, I'm trained to work with gender identity and transition. Other continuing professional development courses include Mindful Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy, early develoment, transgender issues, personality disorders and ADHD.
  
  In addition to private practice, I've worked with the East London NHS Integrative Therapy Team. Psychotherapy placements as part of my training included the IAPT Service for South London and Maudsley NHS, as well as Help Counselling and Headstrong Counselling in London.
  
  I formerly trained and worked as a professional singer and hold BMus (Hons) and MMus degrees from two leading London conservatoires.
• What I can help with

  • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
  • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
  • Anxiety
  • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
  • Bereavement / Loss
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Disability
  • Divorce & Separation
  • Eating disorders
  • Emotional issues
  • Exams
  • Family
  • Gender identity
  • Generally unhappy with your life
  • Mindfulness
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic attacks
  • Phobias
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
  • Public speaking: stage fright
  • Relationships
  • Relaxation
  • Self-defeating behaviours
  • Self-esteem
  • Self-harm
  • Sexuality Identity
  • Shyness / Social Phobia
  • Sleep
  • Spirituality
  • Stress
  • Suicidal feelings
  • Trauma
  • Violence / Victim support
• Languages Spoken

  • English