Confidential Private Practice Counselling
My name is George Berguno and I am a psychologist, offering confidential sessions in a quiet protected environment. I can help with anxiety, depression, obsessions, and painful life events. I also offer unique specialist help that you can read about in the expertise page of my website.
I am trained and qualified, with a Masters from Birkbeck College, and a Doctorate from City University. I have Chartered status, am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Full Member of the BPS Special Group for Independent Practitioners.
I worked for many years as a therapist for Kensington and Chelsea mental health services, as well as Haringey social services, Northgate Clinic, Tavistock Clinic and the National Health Service.
I am also a professor of psychology at two universities. I lecture on psychoanalysis and psychopathology, and I have been publishing regularly for many years. I supervise students on clinical doctorate programmes, and run workshops for health care professionals. I attend clinical supervision, abide by the BPS ethical code of conduct, and am insured.
Initial Appointment
I can offer you an initial appointment within two working days. I offer a low-cost first session so you can determine whether you feel comfortable working with me. Click here for more information on sessions & fees.
My Approach
My approach to counselling is humane and respectful. I emphasize autonomy, responsibility, and the gradual enhancement of the person’s freedom of action. I welcome persons of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. I am a fluent speaker of four languages, and on occasion I have conducted sessions in a language other than English.
Confidentiality
The initial inquiry and all sessions thereafter are strictly confidential. I have confidentiality and data protection policies which will protect your identity.
Counselling Expertise
I have extensive experience of working with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, and with persons from diverse cultural worlds.
I am particularly experienced in helping persons who are:
- Experiencing anxiety, social fears & panic attacks
- Suffering from depression or undergoing a personal crisis
- Coping with the consequences of trauma
- Victims of abuse, neglect or bullying
- Undergoing stress, low self-esteem or lack of confidence
- Experiencing relationship difficulties
- Grieving for the loss of a loved one
- Suffering from excessive shyness, passivity or poor self-confidence
- Struggling with irrational thoughts or impulsive behaviour
I am also particularly interested in helping persons who:
- May have divorced after a long marriage
- May find themselves widowed
- have experienced the death of a parent
- Are caring for an elderly relative
- Are trying to cope with intimacy issues
- Are coming to terms with work transitions
- Doubt their resilience, adaptability and self-worth
- Are coping with aloneness
- Are struggling to find meaning and purpose
Specialisms
Over the years I have developed a unique set of skills in working with certain issues. By ‘unique’ I mean that I developed my own theoretical models, interventions and ideas unlike anything you would find in standard clinical textbooks. The two areas where I have done this are:
- obsessions and compulsions
- work-related difficulties
If you are suffering from obsessive thoughts that you cannot control, I invite you to ask about my approach to this very distressing condition. Similarly, if you feel compelled to repeat certain behaviours and would like to break the cycle, please enquire about my method of working.
Update: if you would like a free copy of my brief guide Understanding Obsessions & Compulsions, please email me.
I can also help if your difficulties are related to your work. I have extensive experience in working with persons suffering from burnout, chronic fatigue, work related stress, disappointment in and unhappiness with their chosen career. You are welcome to contact me for more information about my expertise in this area.
The Session
The initial appointment is offered at a special low cost and you are not under obligation to book additional sessions. The initial meeting offers us the opportunity to explore how we can work together.
You do not have to pay in advance or commit to a block of sessions. If, after several sessions, you decide to end counselling you can do so. Indeed, you can cancel a session at any time.
All sessions take place in a quiet, comfortable consulting room that I designed myself for the purpose of this work. The consulting room is carefully arranged to provide privacy and is guaranteed to be free of interruptions.
As soon as we have agreed the initial appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from me which will also provide you with the address of the practice and travel advice.
The Fee
The fee for the initial appointment is £45
The fee for each subsequent session is £65
All sessions last 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed.
If you are on low income or benefits please ask about possible reductions.
Longer sessions or special arrangements are priced individually.
Please contact me for a chat if you have any special needs you wish to discuss.
The Location
My practice is located in New Malden, a very short walk from the train station. If you are coming by car, parking is free and easily available on my road. Most of my clients come from Raynes Park, Wimbledon, Kingston, and South West London – all of which are within easy travelling distance.
If you live further away and would like to use my services, please ask about longer sessions on a fortnightly basis. I also offer telephone counselling, and indeed, some of my clients live abroad.
Confidentiality
The sessions are entirely confidential. This means that I do not discuss the sessions with a third party, even if you request it or if another professional requests it or if a friend or member of your family requests it.
Cancellation
A 24-hour cancellation rule applies: there is no charge if the session is cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours notice. Otherwise, the session must be paid for in full.
Protected Time
If we agree to work together, I will offer you a fixed weekly time that will remain unchanged unless a new time has been negotiated between us.
If your work commitments or personal circumstances make it difficult to attend a fixed weekly time, I will endeavour to accommodate you.
Therapy is offered on an open-ended basis: I will not terminate counselling without your agreement.
Data Protection
Your contact details – email and mobile only – will be kept exclusively on my phone, to which no one has access.
I will not store information about you by any other electronic means.
I delete all client emails and text messages at the end of each month.
Complaints Procedure - If you wish to make a complaint about the way I hold your data, please contact me as soon as possible. I will respond within two working days and endeavor to resolve any issues to the best of my abilities. If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you will have the right to contact the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) who will bring in a third party to arbitrate the dispute.
How to Contact Me
You are welcome to contact me by email using this secure contact form, by phone or by text. I’d be happy to answer any questions that you might have about the counselling sessions. If I do not come to the phone when you first call, please leave your name and phone number, and I will contact you as soon as I can.
Please click here to read my policies.