Shall we talk?
Sometimes we feel anxious, lost or stuck.
It takes great courage to face the truth that makes us feel vulnerable and seek the help we need.
Perhaps you are uncertain about the path you are on, trying hard to make changes in your life to little avail, or feeling exhausted by all that pulling on you from different directions. There might be wounding from the past or pain and suffering triggered by current events.
To be able to talk about these conflicting and confusing feelings and experiences with someone in a safe, accepting and supportive space is an important step toward acceptance, understanding, healing and change.
Why therapy?
I trust that we all have the capacity to heal and grow. By connecting to what is meaningful and important for you, you can activate that capacity to create change. Our work together can become the solid ground that not only supports you in navigating life’s difficulties with renewed strength but also empowers you to express your hidden potential.
As each of us is unique, I do not subscribe to one-size-fits-all solutions. Yet I do know from experience that safety and trust are the key ingredients in therapy. Talking to a stranger about our deepest and most profound selves might seem daunting and I promise to take things at your pace.
I was trained in Psychosynthesis, a psychotherapeutic model developed concurrently with Freud’s psychoanalysis and Jung’s depth psychology, by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli. Psychosynthesis recognises the soulful dimension of our being and holds that our opportunity in life is to be in alignment with this dimension, or Self with a capital ‘S,’ as fully as possible in the world of everyday personal and social existence.
My practice is relational, creative and inclusive, integrating transpersonal and humanistic models rooted in psychodynamic principles. I am also influenced by existentialist, Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. I admire and respect the diversity of human experience. It will be my honour to be allowed to hear your life story and walk alongside this transformative journey with you.
About me
Swani Yip
MA, MBACP
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I hold a holistic approach, with the core idea that wellbeing is attained through an interconnected and dynamic balance across our physical, emotional, intellectual, environmental and spiritual health. In short, health is an ecosystem. I try to include all of these dimensions so you can bring as much of yourself as you want into our sessions.
I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling from the Psychosynthesis and Education Trust in London in response to a calling for self-discovery, meaning and purpose. I have also worked in a multi-ethnic clinic at the prominent Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre in North London. I offer therapy in English, Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese.
I also hold a Master’s degree in Culture, Policy and Management from City University of London and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Prior to therapeutic work, I had 10 years of experience working in creative industries and start-ups, which allows me to connect and build rapport with clients from all walks of life.
Apart from the endlessly fascinating world of therapy, my other interests extend to modern and contemporary cinema, I-Ching (The Book of Changes) and operatic works by George Frideric Handel – who, like me, was also an immigrant.
Issues I work with:
- Anxiety and panic
- Anger and depression
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Abuse and trauma
- Body image and food-related compulsion
- Chronic pain and illnesses
- Family issues and intergenerational trauma
- Life transitions e.g. moving country, break-up, changing career
- Obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviour
- Psychosomatic conditions including insomnia, fatigue, aches and pain, trouble breathing
- Racial and cultural issues
- Self-confidence and self-esteem
- Sexuality
- Sexual abuse and trauma
- Spiritual growth, maturity and meaning of life
My work abides by the BACP codes of ethics and guidelines. I am enhanced DBS checked, fully insured and under regular supervision and Continuous Professional Development.
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being.
— Albert Schweitzer
Our Sessions
Currently, I have availability at the following times:
UK: Monday 12noon-8pm and Tuesday to Thursday 8am-8pm
EU: Monday 4-8pm and Tuesday to Thursday 9am-8pm
Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, Malaysia: Tuesday to Thursday 5pm-2am
You are welcome to contact me for a free 15-minute phone or video consultation to find out about each other and explore how we might work together based on your objectives from therapy. If you would like to engage in a consultation, please get in touch with your availability. I aim to reply within 48 hours (Mon-Fri).
I invite you to use the occasion to assess whether I am an appropriate companion for you on this journey. As often this is a choice made on ‘gut feeling’ as much as from evaluating qualifications.
If you decide to work with me after the consultation, I will send you a counselling agreement to review before our first session. The agreement provides the container for the work and the therapeutic relationship, covering aspects of confidentiality, cancellation, payment and timekeeping. Sessions are to be held weekly, each lasts for 50 mins.
I usually suggest a review at the 6th session to see how things are going and if it feels right to continue and if so, in what capacity. Depending on your needs, we can arrange to work on a short or long-term basis. For short-term work, I recommend a commitment of 12 sessions.
My Fees
For individual clients, £70 per session.
Sessions are usually to be held weekly at a time we both agree on, either online via Google Meet/Microsoft Teams/Skype or in person at London Bridge (5 mins walking distance from London Bridge train/tube station). Each session lasts for 50 mins.
Update May 2024: I will soon be seeing clients from a new Clapham location (5 mins walk from Clapham North and Clapham High Street station), in addition to my London Bridge location and online. Please specify if you are looking to have sessions in Clapham.
Once session is arranged, they will not be used to see other clients. Sessions that are cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be chargeable in full unless there are exceptional circumstances.
I have a number of concessionary spots available, with priority given to students and NHS workers. Please reach out and we can look for a solution if affordability is an issue preventing you from getting the help you need.
Update Feb 2024: my concessionary fee slots are currently full. If you need a concessionary fee, this is a list of counselling centres that provide therapy on a sliding scale.
Contact Me
E-mail: swaniyip@gmail.com
Mobile: +44(0)7597 711 646
Alternatively, you can also use the contact form below. I aim to reply within 48 hours (Mon-Fri).
You are welcome to contact me for a free 15-minute phone or video consultation.
Therapy & Counselling in London & Online 