5th September 2010 

Training & Background


Confidentiality and Ethical Standards
Of central importance to our work is respect for confidentiality and work to ethical standards

Violet Cooney
I have an Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Westminster Pastoral Foundation

My counselling training is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a member of the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling (MBACP)

I am qualified as a supervisor with The Society of Analytical Psychology.

Richard Backes
I have an Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Westminster Pastoral Foundation and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Studies from University of Roehampton

My counselling training is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a member of the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling (MBACP), a member of the Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling (FPC) and registered with the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP).

As well as working in private practice I am also a counsellor for a national charity supporting families affected by HIV. I have a background providing counselling for employee assistance programmes, have been an Associate Counsellor with the London Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and an honorary counsellor with Westminster Pastoral Foundation.

Barry O'Donovan
I have an Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Westminster Pastoral Foundation

My counselling training is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a member of the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling (MBACP) I am accredited with B.A.C.P.

Barry has appointments available starting from September 2010

Denise Swift
I have an Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Westminster Pastoral Foundation

My counselling training is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a member of the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling (MBACP)

I am accredited with B.A.C.P.I am also a registered mental health practitioner and have worked extensively in the N.H.S, charity sector and privately with clients from very varied backgrounds and cultures.

I offer individual work, time limited or open ended to suit each individual client.


Other therapists working at the service will be posted here soon



Our Approach

The psychotherapeutic approach entails:
  • Understanding relationships in terms of patterns established in childhood
  • Thinking about what emerges in the relationship with the counsellor
  • Understanding the importance of hidden or unconscious feelings
This approach is well regarded and used in the NHS, GP surgeries and hospitals.


To contact us or to find out more about counselling, please click here.