Lynne Willis

Systemic Psychotherapy for families, couples and individuals. 

I have wide ranging experience since 1981 in NHS, Social Services and the independent sector, in out-patient and in-patient settings. I trained at the Tavistock Clinic and qualified as a Systemic Family Psychotherapist in 1997. My training and experience includes research, teaching and clinical supervision. I have experience with children, adolescents and adults with emotional, relationship, psychological and psychiatric difficulties, including depression, anxiety, stress, fears, phobias, OCD, self-esteem, eating disorders, abuse, trauma, substance misuse, conduct disorders, bereavement, physical illness, school attendance, self-harm, sexuality, identity-related concerns, life transitions, fostering and adoption, work-related concerns, managing conflict, divorce and family breakdown. I aim to work collaboratively and together we can decide whether individual, couple or family therapy is most appropriate, frequency of sessions, and whether to aim for short-term focused work or longer term more exploratory work. 

Systemic Psychotherapy is based on the belief that an individual's distress arises from how they see themselves and how they relate to the world and to other people, rather than something being inherently "wrong" with them. Including family members in sessions can often lead to recognition of new options and to the use of untapped strengths and resources, and provides an opportunity to talk together when there is little time to do this at home and the possibility of better understanding, and changing unhelpful patterns. I aim to respect different values and beliefs and recognise that families vary widely in structure and culture. I regard the term family as meaning any group of people who define themselves as such. 

I am registered with UKCP and accredited with BUPA. I am also recognised by AXA PPP Healthcare, Aviva, Aetna Global Benefits and VitalityHealth.