Alistair Semmence
Hello, I’m Alistair (he/him).
I’m a UKCP trainee psychotherapist and counsellor based in Peckham, South London.
MY APPROACH
The foundations of my approach are relational and integrative psychotherapy.
Relational means I see therapy as a collaborative partnership. We begin by building a strong and trusting relationship. This is essential for creating safety to explore difficulties and because meaningful change happens through connection. Part of the power of therapy is that it can offer time and space to pause and process with someone alongside you. I pay attention not only to what you talk about but also to what happens between us. Noticing patterns in our relationship can give valuable insight into how you experience relationships elsewhere. When misunderstandings or difficult feelings arise I see them as opportunities for understanding and repair which can be a powerful part of change. Together we will also look at how you relate to yourself and to others in your life.
Integrative means I draw from a range of psychological theories including neuroscience, child development, attachment psychology and trauma-informed approaches. Because every therapeutic relationship is unique, I use the ideas and techniques that best fit what is happening for you at the time. I also recognise that wider social and cultural forces shape our experience. We may explore how aspects of your identity such as gender, race, sexuality, class or disability connect to these broader systems. I aim to support you in making sense of and integrating your experiences so they feel less overwhelming and more connected.
My approach is also about understanding how you have been shaped by your experiences and how you’ve learned to cope with the challenges you’ve faced. I believe that we adapt to survive in the best way that we can and that we might reach a point where how we’ve adapted no longer works for us. There are difficult and painful realities of life that we sidestep for survival. Therapy can help move beyond just surviving and help transform us so we can live a more fulfilling and connected life.
About ME
I’m mixed-heritage (British-Thai), queer and in the fourth year of a five-year MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute. I’ve been working with clients since June 2023. This has included two years as a counsellor at CliniQ, a holistic wellbeing and sexual health clinic for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people. I also worked at Transform, a low-cost counselling service in South-East London.
In my work I meet people with many different experiences and concerns. Some arrive knowing they’re struggling with anxiety, depression or low self-esteem; others come simply because something doesn’t feel right. Together we’ve explored relationship difficulties, career changes, past traumas and times of uncertainty or transition.
Before training as a psychotherapist I worked in the tech industry as a qualitative researcher, including at a dating app company exploring sensitive topics such as dating as a single parent, dating during the COVID-19 pandemic, sexting and consent, and the experiences of minoritised communities on dating apps. My curiosity about who people are and how they tell their stories led me to psychotherapy, which felt like a natural next step. Having had my own transformative experience of therapy, I wanted to offer that space to others, supporting them as they navigate their own journeys and make sense of their experiences.
Sessions
I work with adults individually on a weekly basis, which can be in-person in Peckham or online. Sessions are 50 minutes and we’ll meet at the same time every week.
I offer a free 10–15 minute phone call so we can discuss what you’re looking for and answer any questions you might have. If you’d like to go ahead, sessions are £65. Our first meeting is a chance for us both to see if working together feels right.
During our initial session, we'll speak about what you're hoping for from therapy as well as understand whether you're looking for shorter-term or longer-term therapy.
If you want to get in touch to ask me any questions, arrange a phone call or book an initial session, you can reach me at hello@alistairsemmence.com.