The Town Practice
Psychological solutions to help lift the heaviness
My Work Experience
Fiona Beckford (Accred.) MA, MBACP
Photo by Davis Mabenga
Founder
Integrative Psychotherapist
in Advanced Clinical Practice MA. MBAATN,
Clinicial Supervisor Dip.
My name is Fiona, and I am an integrative psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and reflective practice practitioner, working locally online. I've been working in the health care sector, specialising in mental health since 1997. Over the years, I've gained extensive experience working with a diverse range of clients, including individuals from various cultural backgrounds, single and dual heritage, including mature adults, adolescents, and people with learning challenges.
I have supported the mental health of students and staff at a sixth form college for many years. This allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the broad range of difficulties faced by young people dealing with emotional and mental health issues; including neurodiverse individuals, those living with complex and persistent mental health issues and those who have used other related health services. I’ve also worked for the NHS for many years in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and the Child Development Team psychological therapies (CDT), offering therapeutic support and coaching to parents struggling with their children’s behaviour. Each of these roles required my completion of a specialist CBP assessment and therapeutic intervention for those with psychological and mental health problems, and where necessary with adolescents, providing their families with psychoeducation to help them understand the presenting issue and be a part of the healing process. I have also supported staff members for over 15 years through Employee Assistance Programmes services (EAP), offering brief-focused therapy.
I have been working in private practice since 1997. In 2019, I completed advanced training as a psychotherapist, issued by Middlesex university at the Minster Centre, London.
As part of my base, I am informed by the teachings of Jesus Christ, using His life lessons as my moral compass and a guide. I find this keeps me authentic and grounded.
Specific areas of interest and expertise
I specialise in several different areas.
I am keen to work with people who have experienced trauma, emotional dysregulation and those who use self-harm as a coping mechanism.
I am delighted to work with people from the Diaspora (melanated individuals – single or dual heritage who struggle with knowing who they are), who are more prone to experience different forms of discrimination and prejudice, or who struggle to have their narrative understood. Often, acknowledging the pain, frustration and even rage that many diasporas carry can be overwhelming for the individual, so I work with those who have experienced trauma or distress originating from a challenging early relationship; especially those involving childhood abuse of any kind or neglect. If these early distresses are not addressed, they will manifest in adult relationships.
I enjoy working with members of middle and senior management offering Reverse Mentoring, as my experience has shown me that many White managers would love the opportunity to explore their conscious and unconscious bias, but only in a safe and protected environment. Such an environment is available here.
It is my pleasure to work with parents of children with very challenging behaviours. This may include Autism (ASD or trait), dissociation, dysregulation, self-harm, sensory challenges or other forms of maladaptive behaviours that either cause the child harm or puts the child at risk.
I have worked extensively with both individuals and couples struggling with difficult family dynamics. I have experience supporting people living with family estrangement, who either seek to come to terms with ending destructive relationships or who want to explore what the path of reconciliation might look like.
I warmly welcome therapists, both experienced and in training, as well as professionals working in the health and social care sectors. I enjoy providing therapy and supervision or reflective practice to all those who work with emotional material and who would benefit from experienced support.
How I Work
If we decide to work together, we will start by carrying out a one- hour assessment, which gives you the opportunity to talk about what the issues are and how they’re impacting your life. It also gives me the information I need to put together a therapeutic plan of ‘how’ we’re going to work together’ going forwards. We would then resort back to working to 50 min sessions and begin addressing these issues (different services require a longer duration).
From time to time, I give my clients personal development homework, which many say they like, as it helps them to see their progress. We take the outcome and together we work through it.
For psychotherapy, I work weekly with my clients for a minimum of six months, which allows us to fully explore what the issues are and provides space and time to address them.
Clinicial Supervision
In 2015, I completed my diploma in Integrative clinical supervision training at the Minster Centre, London. Since then, I have combined my experience of reflective practice with supervision and been providing a professional over-view for counsellors, psychotherapists, teachers, nurses, community leaders and those on the front-line, working directly with troubled children within NGO’s.
One to one and group supervision is available.
Associate
Dr Kumar Birch
Chartered Clinical Psychologist
Dr Kumar Birch is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist working in London and the North Thames area.
Kumar has been working in mental health for over 10 years supporting individuals, couples, families and organisations to increase their mental well-being through talking therapy, group reflection and training.
In working with organisations, Kumar utilises positive psychology, critical psychology and systemic principles to assist teams to contextualise the difficulties faced, take ownership for what is within their locus of control and facilitate the generation of meaningful solutions for moving forward.
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