Family, Couples, Individual and Baby Loss Therapy in London
My name is Fiona and I would like to welcome you to my website, which gives you an opportunity to learn more about me and my practice in North London.
I understand that there are times when life can be extremely challenging and it may be difficult to be able to see the wood from the trees. Challenges however, are also opportunities for growth, a time to reflect on current circumstances and explore different ways of doing things, or relating, which may help to improve the quality of our lives.
I provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for reflection and exploration to help you and your family find a way forward through the challenges you may be facing such as:
Couples and Family Issues – do your relationships feel stuck and full of conflict?
Together we can explore unhelpful patterns of communication and interaction, and harness your strengths and resilience to help you listen to one another, and work towards more affirming and loving relationships.
Anxiety, Panic and Depression: are you feeling overwhelmed by these or other negative feelings?
Anxiety often indicates the presence of underlying fear which can be triggered by a memory of a painful event. Using a range of different approaches I can help you examine the root cause of these feelings and develop coping strategies to deal with them. I appreciate that you may not be able to enter into longer-term therapy or may prefer not to focus on issues from your past. If this is the case Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can provide you with a more short-term and ‘here and now’ approach for your anxiety or depression.
The therapeutic relationship between clients and therapist is a key ingredient for affecting change, and so I aim to work collaboratively with you and at a pace you feel comfortable with. At our first meeting we can discuss your expectations, preferences and goals for therapy and help you decide whether you would like to see me on a short-term basis or whether more open-ended work might be more beneficial.
I bring many years of experience, warmth, empathy, humour and creativity to aid the therapeutic process. I use a number of theoretical models, including psychodynamic, systemic and CBT which are described in more detail in My Approach Page.
Baby Loss and Infertility
I have worked on behalf of a leading baby loss charity for the past ten years, and during this time I have witnessed the devastation that stillbirth, neonatal loss and miscarriage can bring.
I have also worked extensively with individuals and couples who have had to make the excruciating and difficult decision to terminate their pregnancy due to medical reasons (TFMR). TFMR is one of the least talked about types of baby loss, despite the fact that there at least 500 TFMR’s happening annually in the UK.
Often people find it difficult to talk about their loss with family and friends because they made the decision to terminate their pregnancy; and can end up feeling very alone and isolated. Counselling can help to process the internal conflict around the decision to terminate the pregnancy, which can then enable you to connect with your grief and sadness.
Baby loss can also put a tremendous strain on relationships, and this is because people often grieve very differently. Having counselling sessions together can help you understand each other’s experience of the loss and the different ways that you might grieve and cope.
Losing a baby is extremely painful, and I aim provide a safe and containing space that will enable you to process the pain, grief and trauma that are commonly experienced after baby loss.
Infertility Issues
Finding out that you are not able to conceive naturally can be shocking and traumatic, and can result in you feeling like you are on an emotional roller-coaster. Some of the most common feelings are grief, shame, guilt, anger, anxiety, fear and depression. Infertility can also affect your self-esteem.
Often clients find it difficult to be around others who are either pregnant, or have children because they don’t feel like they “part of the parent club”; and this can result in loneliness, isolation and envy. Infertility can also put a lot of pressure on your relationship, and sometimes couples can find that the pain is so extreme, that they avoid talking about it. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and resentment. Counselling can help to explore these difficult emotions and keep the lines of communication open.
Needing medical help to conceive can also be tough. You may both have to go through a series of tests and investigations that can feel intrusive. Treatments like IVF can be difficult both emotionally and physically. Having support during this time can help you cope with the stress and anxiety.
Adoption and surrogacy are also alternatives which can be helpful to explore in counselling, and whether they are viable options for you.
If you decide not to go down any of these alternative routes to having a baby, counselling can enable you to explore and understand the implications of your decision and the impact on your future.
Can I help?
If you have any questions about the services I offer, or would like to make an appointment, please call me on 07812 063565 or complete the contact form below.
Fiona Halgoa
About Me – An Individual, Couples and Family Psychotherapist
This page will help you to know more about my training and experience.
My journey as a therapist began over 20 years ago when I did my first training as a Psychodynamic Counsellor. Thereafter, I worked in private practice, in several different youth organisations, and in schools with young people who were at risk of being permanently excluded.
My experience in youth work and education deepened my understanding that children were often being labelled as disruptive or naughty when in fact their behaviour was a form of communication about difficulties they were experiencing in their relationships, which often impacted their ability to learn or fulfil their potential.
To this end, I became interested in systemic ways of thinking, which differs from individual counselling because it suggests that whilst difficulties may present in an individual family member, they can often be rooted in interpersonal interaction between family members or other significant relationships. This understanding led to the next stage of my training journey which involved studying at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust as a Family Psychotherapist and gaining vital experience in the NHS in their Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS).
I have also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which can provide an alternative way of working with anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties.
My counselling qualifications:
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MA in Family/Systemic Psychotherapy, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trus
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Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Family/Systemic Theory, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust
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Post-Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills (CBT), Westminster Pastoral Foundation, WPF Therapy
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Post-Graduate Certificate in Communication with Children, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust
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Foundation in Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health; Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust
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Circle of Security Attachment Based Parenting Training, COS International
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Youth Work Diploma (ABC Level 3), Children Our Ultimate Investment (COUI)
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Post-Graduate Certificate in Organisational Consultancy, Whittington Hospital NHS Trust School of Counselling and Psychotherapy
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Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling & Therapy (BACP Accredited), Manor House Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Professional registration
I am a registered member of both the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and adhere to their Codes of Practice and Ethical Frameworks.
Appointments
I offer in-person appointments in High Barnet and I also offer on-line appointments.
Appointments are available weekdays and early evenings.
Individuals
Individual appointments are 50 minutes and cost £85.
Couples and Families
Couple and family therapy appointments are 60 minutes and cost £115.
Cancellation policy
I appreciate that there may be times when you are unable to attend your appointment. If this is the case, please provide 48 hours’ notice and then you will not be charged for the session. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, the full fee will be charged for the session.
Private Health Insurance
I am registered with the following private health insurance companies: AXA, Healix and Bupa.
Making an appointment
I would be happy to discuss any queries you may have, or if you would like to make an appointment, please telephone me on 0781 2063 565. Alternatively, please complete the contact form below.
Contact Me
If you have any questions about the services I offer or would like to make an appointment, please fill out the form below.