City Sanctuary Therapy - Dr. Joyline Gozho
Counselling, Psychotherapy, CBT and Couples Therapy in London Bridge, City of London,
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and Online
Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy
My Approach
I work with couples of any gender, sexual orientation, and coupledoms, who may be experiencing difficulties and seeking help to navigate them. My work draws on a range of theoretical principles in couples therapy, mainly the Bader-Pearson model which stems from Psychoanalyst Margaret Mahler's child development model, Bowlby's attachment theories, as well as the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) approach.
The work helps us identify where the couple may be stuck in the trajectory of the development of their relationship, and enables them to navigate through the different stages of their relationship in a safe and constructive manner. The work also enables the couple to contain any conflict that may lead to unconscious re-enactment of past trauma in their current relationship. The reflections on one's behavior including elements of co-dependency, and passive aggression, which is often very problematic, can help the couple repair any raptures, and nurture positive aspects of their relationship, as well as find healthier, and constructive ways of dealing with conflict. I intergrate a psychoanalytic approach (insight into internalised ways of relating), psycho-education, and skills training in my work with couples particularly around communication and conflict resolution. This integrative way of working help couples develop healthier ways of communicating, become emotionally literate, learn healthier ways of conflict resolution, learn problem solving skills, as well as learn other behaviors that helps sustain healthy relationships. Combining treatment and education, also benefit the couple as it leads to affective, behavioral, and attitudinal changes. This work is enriching to couples who may be experiencing some difficulties and keen to nurture and restore their relationship, but struggling to do so on their own. I have a particular interest in conflict resolution, and communication as well as working with interracial, intercultural, and interclass couples.
Despite having couples' therapy training embedded in my psychotherapy training, I undertook additional training in couples therapy, in order to enhance and widen my knowledge base, skills, and capacity to help my clients. Couples work is very unique, and incomparable to individual work. It is therefore hugely significant that the therapist has confidence in their skills, and ability to provide their clients a therapeutic service. Without this level of skill, knowledge, competence, and robustness, couples therapy can be adversarial, and lead to negative outcomes on the relationship. I am an accredited Relationship Therapist via the NCPS (COSRT).
I am a lecturer at the Institute of Couples Therapy where l teach specialist couples work to qualified therapists.
If you have further questions feel free to get in touch, or check out the FAQ section.
Fees
Sessions
Standard - £135 per 50-60 minutes, once weekly or bi-weekly
Click here for the cancellation policy
Get in Touch
Please get in touch if you have any questions on Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Couples Therapy, or Relationship Enrichment Workshops, or if you like to book an initial session.
You can also call me on 07960462532 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
Some frequently asked questions
It is true that the hustle and bustle of modern day city life leaves some people with little or no time to reflect on themselves. As a result, we find ourselves experiencing stress, low mood, anxiety, poor confidence, low self-esteem, poor sleep, problems with relationships with our loved ones or work colleagues, addictions, at times questioning what life is all about, and genuinely wondering about our purpose in life altogether. The stress of present day life also leads to burn out- cognitive overload, and extreme physical exhaustion. As a result, one adopts unhealthy ways of coping, which have a negative impact on one's mental and psychological well being.
At times, there may be some issues from the past that are unresolved, and affecting different aspects of your life. Therapy offers a reflective space where you can unwind and get to know your self more intimately. It also enables you to find healthier ways of being and relating, emotional processing, find healthier ways of managing any problems you are faced with, work through, and develop the capacity to reflect on yourself which is hugely significant. The decision to start therapy is an important one, albeit, not always easy. Evidence suggests that the key ingredient in any therapeutic encounter is the relationship between the therapist and the client.
It is therefore crucial that you find an experienced therapist, who you can connect with, and walk side by side with; a therapist who offers you a safe space where you feel comfortable, respected, understood, validated, listened to, and safely develop the ability to tune into the deeper parts of yourself. Therapy can therefore help you be in tune with yourself, and live life more meaningfully. I firmly believe that psychological well being should be seen in the same light as physical well being. The stigma around mental health and psychological well being is what perpetuates the unnecessary suffering that most people go through, without seeking help at the right time.
Call me on 07960462532 or email me on info@citysanctuarytherapy.com. You can also call or email me by clicking the email or call link buttons further up the page. If I am unavailable on the phone, please leave me a message with a name and number. I aim to respond to all messages (email, text, and voicemail) within 24 hours.
Yes. I am an adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and l work with ages from 18 and above. I also work with couples.
The choice of therapy we decide in our consultation depends on the nature of your difficulties and what brings you to therapy. Our sessions for time limited psychodynamic counselling and CBT will be 6-12. Our open ended psychotherapy will have no set end date from the beginning. It is however important that we work towards an ending when we do decide to end therapy, as this is a very important part of our work. The length of time you spend in therapy depends on the nature of your difficulties and the depth of the work. Most people stay in therapy for a number of years to allow themselves sufficient time to work through some of the deepest conflicts, and issues from their past that may be impacting on the present, therefore addressing the whole self.
It is usual practice to charge the regular session fee for a session cancelled by the client less than 48 hours beforehand. A full fee is applicable to a cancellation made with less than 48 hours notice. Any cancellations made by client with a 4 weeks notice will not be charged, and half the session fee is applicable for any cancellation less than that time frame. This is because the space is reserved for you and therefore open even if you do not attend. You will not be expected to make any payment if I am not available. I will give you my holiday dates well in advance, and I will also appreciate having your holiday dates in advance.
YesI typically raise an invoice at the end of each month, unless you prefer to pay weekly or fortnightly, which can be arranged. Payments can be made via bank transfer, Paypal or in cash. This should be done in a timely manner.
Individual sessions last 50 minutes, and couple's therapy sessions lasts 50-60 minutes. Sessions are once weekly at agreed times. This will be agreed in the initial session. At times, I do offer twice a week or fortnightly sessions, depending on my clients' needs and life demands.
Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy and CBT sessions cost £100/hr for individuals. The rate for couples therapy session is £135/hr. These flat rates are applicable to both London and Buckinghamshire Locations, as well as online. Some insurance clients may have to pay the difference between the insurance rebate and my fee. The fee reflects my experience, qualifications, and specialisms. I am recognised by Axa, Aviva, Cigna, WPA, Healix, and Vitality, as a healthcare provider. If you have insurance through any of these companies, you will be able to use it. Please confirm the validity of your cover first. Sessions are subject to a £10 increase annually, typically at the beginning of each year. This will be discussed with you in session.
CBT is a practical approach which helps you find ways of managing present day distress, while psychodynamic psychotherapy helps us explore and address the source of the distress. Using the metaphor of a house on fire- CBT is akin to putting out the fire flames-cooling and smothering the flames, so that the fire dies down. Psychodynamic work is akin to us figuring out the cause/source of the fire altogether. This is important, otherwise one runs the risk of having yet another fire.
I work with couples, offering couples therapy. However, this needs to be agreed right from the beginning of our work.
Sessions are confidential unless if there are legal implications or in the event of serious risk factors that your GP or other practitioners have to be aware of. As an ethical practitioner, any decision to do so is always in your best interest. I have full indemnity insurance to cover my practice as a therapist. All information kept about you is stored in line with the GDPR laws.
Yes, we can have sessions over Zoom, Skype or Telephone. These sessions are scheduled in the same fashion as face to face sessions.