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Lee McOwan

Counsellor & Psychotherapist


Lee McOwan


MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, The Metanoia Institute, 2007

(Integrative training encompasses a variety of different kinds of psychological therapy including relational, humanistic and psychodynamic)

Certificate in Person-Centred Supervision, The Metanoia Institute, 2011

UKCP-registered Integrative Psychotherapist

Information

I worked as a Counsellor and Student Support Co-ordinator at ALRA, a further education performing arts college in Wandsworth from 2000 to 2005.

From 2005 to 2009 I was a Counsellor at the University of Essex working with undergraduate, postgraduate and mature students.

Since 2010, I have worked in private practice with individual adults.

I have extensive experience working with people with a wide range of difficulties including relationship and family problems, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and so on.


Professional and Ethical considerations

Therapeutic work is confidential between therapist and client. I subscribe to codes of professional conduct as laid down by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

When a client has experienced boundary violations in their family or friendships such as inappropriate behaviour or betrayal, the strong boundaries offered by the psychotherapist can act as a model of respect and appropriate behaviour and give a client a sense of what he or she might find acceptable and not acceptable in other relationships.

The kind of strong boundaries offered include:

I will be available when I say I will (except in illness and emergency)

I will notify you in advance of any expected absences

I will start and end sessions on time

I offer exclusive time with you without interruptions

I will not engage in any other relationship with you (for example, we won’t meet for social purposes)

I offer integrity, honesty and consistency in the relationship

I commit to promoting your well being and avoiding any harm to you

I will not disclose confidential information to others except in the extremely rare event that I consider a client to be at risk of harm to self or others, when I reserve the right to break confidentiality and seek appropriate intervention

Therapy and Counselling



What will happen in our sessions?


We will sit in my comfortable, private consulting room and we will talk. Sessions last 60 minutes and usually take place weekly or fortnightly over a short period or in the longer term.

Your choice between short-term therapy (counselling) or long-term therapy will be informed by what you want to address and depends on your current difficulties and concerns. Much can be gained in the first six to twelve sessions. Counselling can give initial relief from anxiety and distress, enabling you to cope better in your personal and working life.

Long-term therapy goes more deeply into dealing with problems which have been part of your life for many years and may have their roots in early childhood and family dynamics. Or perhaps you have experienced major loss, bereavement, illness or tragedy which affects your day-to-day life and your close relationships.

Maybe a particularly taxing relationship - with a partner, parent, sibling, friend or one of your children - takes up a lot of your energy and thinking, going round and round your head as you try, but fail, to change anything. Do you feel manipulated, used or hurt by that person and yet can’t help falling into the same traps over and over again?

You might believe that those around you always make things difficult. Or you can’t stop sabotaging the good things in your life. This can involve compulsive behaviour, addictions to drama, alcohol, drugs or food-related issues.

So many of us experience life as unbearable, confusing and disappointing. Listening to your story, I will have insights into how your past has left you with ingrained, unique, and not always helpful ways of dealing with the relationships and circumstances you find yourself in now. These insights in themselves can give you a feeling of relief. Then as you begin to understand and put together your own story, like the pieces of a jigsaw, you will start to come to terms with yourself and those around you, and feel more comfortable in your own skin. This can lead to better regulation of your emotions and have a positive impact on your relationships.

Some people find it too painful to talk about the past or traumatic events. If so, we can find ways forward that will help. I may gently encourage you to express yourself with other methods such as writing things down or drawing. You do not need any skills in writing or drawing to do this. Being ‘heard’ in this way can bring unexpected relief.

What would you feel like if your life was free from anxiety or depression or dysfunction? How would you be? What aspects of your life would you change? You are probably thinking that you might be ready to make changes and move forward. This suggests to me that you must, at some level, value your life and be interested in finding someone to help you in your quest.

As you will see from the testimonials below, people generally feel better about themselves. Having said that, long-term therapy is a two-way process. It is not something I ‘give’ or ‘do’ to you. It requires commitment and hard work on your part. It is not always an easy journey and there may be times when it all feels too difficult. Changing your life is a bit like learning to play a musical instrument - you have to keep on practising even when you feel you want to give up. However, some people can change or find new ways of coping much more quickly than others. We are all unique.


Testimonials


'I wanted to say a quick hello and thank you for all your good work, what, almost ten years ago now? I can't really begin to tell you how much it helped, but suffice it to say I'm in a much much much happier place now, am a lot more confident, and far more comfortable in my own skin. I really appreciate all the time and effort you put in to helping me out.'

'I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am to you for planting the seeds to be able to try and improve a relationship and maybe even achieve peace and harmony for a whole family that has not shared emotions and tiptoed around each other for nearly 40 years.'

'Knowing that I could get back in contact with you should I feel that I needed to, has been a great support to me, and I still do worry that should something huge happen, I might not be able to cope. I hope though that I will be able to look after myself.'

'I wanted to thank you so much for all your help, and let you know how much of a wonderful support you have been to me.'

Supervision

Person-centred and Integrative Supervision:

For qualified or trainee counsellors and psychotherapists, I am able to offer person-centred supervision as a pure modality, or integrative supervision, depending on your requirements.

Supervision is offered on an individual basis or in small groups and provides a regular opportunity to reflect in depth about all aspects of client work in order to work safely, effectively and ethically.

I model a high level of good practice, particularly with regard to levels of competence and professionalism, the management of personal boundaries, dual relationships and conflicts of interest, and any personal issues affecting the work.

As a qualified person-centred supervisor, and with extensive experience as an integrative psychotherapist, I adapt my way of working to meet the needs of my supervisees at whatever stage of training or practice they are in. I honour their current strengths, work with their individual learning styles, and treat them with respect, making the supervision a collaborative, fruitful and enjoyable endeavour.

Fees


Psychotherapy and

Counselling for individuals

My usual fee is £65 per 60-minute session.

Integrative / Person-Centred

Supervision

My usual fee is £65 per 60-minute session.

Please contact me to book a session


Lee McOwan MSc, UKCP-reg


My private consulting room is in the West End area of Esher


Free parking is available on the street

Esher is the nearest station - on the Woking line from Waterloo.


Taxis are available 24/7 at Esher Station Cars (020 8398 7676) from their office on the station forecourt. You can book your return journey in advance at the office or by telephone.


There are bus routes nearby -

The K3 stops in Esher Green, approximately a 20 minute walk.

The 458 stops at the Princess Alice Hospice which is a 5 minute walk.