Qualifications and Background
I received my qualification in individual and couple psychotherapy and counselling at Tavistock Relationships (diploma awarded by University of East London), with additional training in Adolescence Development at Tavistock and Portman, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Association of Psychological Therapy and Positive Psychology with University of Pennsylvania (US). I am a registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). In addition to BSc, I hold an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley (US). I have lived and worked in the UK, America and Asia for the last three decades and speak fluent Mandarin Chinese.
Praticing Philosophy
Meliora Therapy London is committed to help people build healthy and fulfilling relationships through counselling and coaching. We are social animals and relationships naturally define us, including the relationship we have with ourselves. Much research (Barger, 2013; Berkman & Glass, 2000; Cohen, 2004; Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010) has shown that good relationships (i.e. social and emotional support) not only make us feel good, they make us physically healthier. Crucially, we can transform relationships through better understanding and better skills.
Meliora, in Latin, means the pursuit of the better and that's what I strive for: to enable people to feel better, do better and live better through deepened understanding of self and others to build long-lasting and rewarding relationships. My practice is supervised regularly and I maintain an on-going professional development schedule to continue to enhance my understanding of the science and practices in neuroscience, psychology, and psychotherapy.
How I Work
Therapy is a personal journey so I start by actively listening to and understanding you, addressing current issues as well as exploring the deeper roots of your troubles. In order to move forward and thrive, I believe we all need to know ourselves better and build mental flexibility. Carl Rogers put it succinctly: 'When I accept myself as I am, then I change.' By integrating several different types of therapy, I formulate a set of interventions to work with each individual or couple. I also incorporate cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), positive psychology and mindfulness practice in my work when appropriate . The foundations of my psychotherapeutic approach lie in psychodynamic therapy, attachment-based therapy and humanistic therapy, which all share the view that positive human relationships are at heart of robust mental health.
'Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.' - Carl Jung
Contact me today by telephone, text or email -
I am available to discuss if counselling, psychotherapy or coaching is right for you.
Call or text: 07729626408
Email: alison@melioratherapylondon.com
My services are offered in Highgate (North London) and Marylebone.
