Dr Elena Touroni
Private Psychologists in London
The Chelsea Psychology Clinic is a private therapist clinic based in Harley Street, London.
Private psychologists in London
Whether you’re facing specific challenges, looking to understand past experiences, or feeling generally unsettled without knowing why, we’re here to provide tailored support. Our team of expert clinical and counselling psychologists based in Chelsea and Harley Street are dedicated to guiding you on your path to mental and emotional wellness.
Understanding that therapy is a deeply personal experience, we recognise the many questions that can accompany the decision to start therapy. That’s why we’re here – to simplify the process from the very beginning, ensuring your therapy journey is as seamless as possible.
Why see a psychologist?
People go to therapy for various reasons – some might come in with specific issues or goals, while others might be looking to explore deeper historical patterns that are impacting their mental and emotional health.
Therapy offers a safe, non-judgemental space where you can freely explore your experiences and emotions. A psychologist offers more than just an empathetic ear – they bring to the table a wealth of expertise in human behaviour and mental processes. This knowledge allows them to help you uncover the root causes of your difficulties, providing insights that would be difficult to unravel alone. They also work with you to develop personalised strategies, offering new perspectives that can help you move forward and navigate life’s ups and downs more effectively.
But therapy isn’t just about addressing current issues or past traumas. It’s also a proactive step towards creating a healthier, more fulfilling future. Through the therapeutic process, you’ll develop skills that not only help you cope with any present difficulties you’re facing but also prepare you for potential challenges ahead. This includes learning healthier ways of thinking, building better relationships, and developing a stronger sense of self.
What does a psychologist do?
Our highly-trained psychologists specialise in understanding human behaviour, thoughts, and emotions. They are qualified professionals who apply a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to address a wide range of mental health issues, emotional challenges, and everyday stresses.
One of the key roles of a psychologist is to provide a safe space where you can openly explore your feelings. It’s a place where you’re encouraged to speak freely, without fear of judgement. Within this secure environment, psychologists help you peel back the layers of your thoughts and behaviours, shedding light on any patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties.
But identifying these patterns is just the beginning. Psychologists actively collaborate with you to devise and implement effective strategies for change. They share insights about why you might think or feel a certain way and equip you with strategies to address these thoughts and feelings on your own. This isn’t about handing out a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about empowering you with skills tailored to your unique journey. The goal is to provide you with the tools you need to navigate through your difficulties and emerge stronger.
Yet, therapy goes beyond simply navigating the difficult periods. It’s about sparking real, lasting change – improving self-awareness, fine-tuning how you manage your emotions, and empowering you to take charge of your mental health. Working with a psychologist sets the stage for building a deeper, more understanding relationship with yourself and the way you interact with the world around you – skills that will serve you well beyond the therapy room.
Conditions our Clinical and Counselling Psychologists can help with
Our Psychologists
Find a psychologist London
Core Retreat / Psychologist Team
Consultant Psychiatrist
Specialist Consultants
External collaborators
Dr Zoe Knight
Dr Alika Goodwin
Dr Emma Smith
Dr Claire McDonald
Dr Emanuela Grima
Dr Tom Pennybacker
Gabi Colman
Dr Oliver Bernath
Dr Tina Grigoriou
Athena Lazaridou
Therapist vs psychologist: what’s the difference?
If you’re considering therapy, you might be wondering about the difference between a therapist and a psychologist. It’s important to understand the key differences so you can choose the support that best suits your needs.
Therapists hold qualifications in areas like counselling and/or psychotherapy, and provide support and guidance, helping you navigate through a variety of emotional and mental challenges with talking therapies. Therapists offer a compassionate space to explore your feelings and discuss any difficulties you’re facing, facilitating personal discovery through different therapeutic approaches.
Here at our London clinic, we have psychologists who typically hold doctoral degrees and have undergone rigorous years of advanced study in psychology. This extensive education not only prepares them for deep therapeutic work but also equips them with the ability to diagnose and treat complex mental health issues. Our clinical and counselling psychologists are trained in a wide range of scientifically-backed techniques, tailored specifically to each individual’s needs, enabling them to address deeper psychological conditions.
Choosing our psychologists means you are opting for a level of expertise that transcends typical therapy practices, offering a broader and more nuanced understanding of psychological health. This ensures a highly sophisticated approach to mental wellness, designed to deliver lasting change.
Why choose our Chelsea and Harley Street psychologists?
When you’re seeking therapy, choosing the right clinic is key. Our clinic stands out for our commitment to providing cutting-edge, evidence-based therapies. We aim to deliver relief from symptoms as swiftly as possible, focusing on targeted treatment outcomes.
Our team of psychologists are leaders in their fields, with extensive careers in the NHS and academia, as well as in private practice. This depth of experience enriches their understanding and enhances their ability to address a wide range of psychological issues. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or more complex psychological conditions, our psychologists have the expertise to help.
At our clinic, we understand that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each of our psychologists is trained in multiple therapeutic approaches, allowing them to adapt their methods to your evolving needs as your therapy progresses. This flexible, tailored approach ensures that your therapy is always aligned with your personal growth and changing circumstances.
Continuously evaluating and improving our clinical care is at the heart of what we do. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of practice and regularly review our approaches and outcomes to ensure that we are providing the best possible support to our clients.
Choosing our clinic means you are selecting a team that is not only highly qualified but also committed to delivering the highest level of care, meticulously tailored to meet your specific needs.
What to expect in your first therapy session
When you first reach out to our clinic, the initial step is a conversation with one of our assistant psychologists. This discussion helps us understand what you’re hoping to achieve through therapy and any specific concerns you might have. Following this, we’ll carefully match you with a psychologist or psychiatrist whose expertise and therapeutic approach best align with your situation, ensuring you receive the best care possible.
When you arrive for your initial session, you’ll be met with a warm welcome in a calm and confidential setting. This session is fundamentally about getting to know each other. Your psychologist will encourage you to talk about yourself, your life, and what brought you to therapy. This is your time to share any concerns or goals you might have.
As the session progresses, your psychologist may also go beyond the issues you’re currently facing; exploring your history, identifying any recurring patterns or themes, and understanding the underlying dynamics that might be influencing your current mental health. This comprehensive approach helps lay the groundwork for your ongoing therapy.
Your psychologist will also explain how sessions typically proceed, discuss confidentiality, and explore with you how therapy can be tailored to meet your unique needs. During this session, you’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the therapy process, the techniques used, or anything else that might help you feel more at ease.
Remember, this first meeting is as much about you getting to know your psychologist as it is about them getting to know you. It’s important that you feel comfortable and trust that you’re in a supportive space, as this is key to successful therapy.
Clinical Outcomes
We always strive to improve the experience of our clients and the care that we provide. To help us achieve this, we regularly collect clinical outcome data from our clients to assess their experiences and the impact of their therapeutic journey with us. Clinical outcomes allow us to measure changes in health, function and quality of life from our care. Constant review of our client focussed clinical outcomes helps establish a standard against which we continuously evaluate and improve our clinical care.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Improving psychological problems
Client centred problems
Reducing psychological distress
Psychological wellbeing and quality of life
Client-clinician working alliance
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Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of therapy varies based on your individual needs and the goals you wish to achieve. For those addressing specific issues, short-term therapy, typically around three months, may be sufficient. This approach focuses on targeting and resolving a particular problem.
However, if you are seeking more comprehensive, in-depth change, therapy is likely to be a longer-term commitment, ranging from six to twelve months. It’s not uncommon for clients to continue with therapy beyond the initial time frame. Many find that as they progress, new areas for growth or previously unrecognised issues emerge, and continuing therapy provides ongoing benefits and supports personal development at different stages of their lives.
The initial assessment with one of our psychologists is priced at £250. This session is designed to evaluate your needs and to establish a tailored treatment plan that best supports your goals.
For ongoing therapy sessions, we offer a sliding scale of £180 to £250 per session. This range allows us to accommodate different needs and circumstances, while maintaining the highest standards of care.
We accept all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. We also accept insurance from several providers, including Healix, Cigna, Aviva, Allianz, and WPA.
If you have any questions about payment methods or need assistance with insurance claims, speak to one of our team who will be able to guide you through the process.
It can be helpful to have some idea of what you hope to achieve through therapy, as this can guide the direction of your sessions and ensure the focus is on the areas most important to you. However, it’s perfectly OK if you’re not sure yet. Many people begin therapy without a clear understanding of what they need – it’s a common reason to seek support. You don’t need to have all the answers; simply arriving at your psychologist’s door is a great first step. The process of therapy itself will help clarify your needs as you go.
Yes, therapy is your safe space. Everything you discuss is completely confidential. The only exceptions are if your psychologist or psychiatrist believes you are at risk to yourself or others. In such cases, they may need to contact other professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, to ensure your safety and the safety of others. This is a standard practice in therapy aimed at providing the best care while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Our services are available in London, with clinics conveniently located in Harley Street and Chelsea. We also offer online therapy, accessible from the comfort of your home or any other private space.
We have three main clinic locations in London: Harley Street, Pont Street and Eaton Gate. All of our locations offer a professional, welcoming environment for your therapy sessions.
Our highly-qualified psychologists work from our clinics based in Harley Street and Chelsea. For those who prefer or require remote sessions, our psychologists are also able to provide online therapy.
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