Victoria Davenport
Psychoanalytic psychotherapist
Lincoln Clinic and Centre for PsychotherapyBritish Association of Psychotherapists (BAP)
British Confederation of Psychotherapists (BCP)
Qualified at the Lincoln Clinic and Centre for Psychotherapy; associate member, British Association of Psychotherapists (BAP); member of the British Confederation of Psychotherapists (BCP); MSc in Psychoanalytic Studies, University College London. I have ten years' experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice, and have held honorary positions at the Tavistock Clinic, the Portman Clinic, and University College Hospital (all London).
This type of therapy is 'intensive', which means we explore the deeper meaning of your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Sometimes these are connected to the past, but not always. The therapy is often about discovering patterns of behaviour and, through understanding and resolving these, giving you the freedom to make choices and decisions about your life.
People often come after they've tried other types of therapy that don't work in the long term. Others want to understand themselves better, perhaps feeling there's something missing in their lives, but they don't know what. Many feel their friends and families aren't helpful, or they don't want to burden them, or feel ashamed of their problems.
People come with a very wide range of worries, including relationship difficulties – absence of one, or problems with current partners, families, and similar. Often the problem is to do with a difficult relationship with oneself (we don't usually think of it this way, but it's the most important relationship of all). Often people just feel stuck – in work, in life – and don't know why. Or they may know they aren't achieving their true potential but, again, don't know how to change.
The result might be depression – ranging from feeling down to real despair – or anxiety that is debilitating, often with a lack of self-worth. We all have ways of coping, and for some this takes the form of addictions – to alcohol, drugs, sex, food or even work. Sometimes people experience sexual problems – conflicts or uncertainty about gender, use of pornography and so on – and need help in trying to understand the roots of their behaviour, whether they choose to change it or not.
People today are in a hurry and feel pressured to do things as quickly as possible. Psychotherapy, however, is not something that can be rushed; after all, we're usually dealing with lifelong problems, and miracle cures aren't on offer. For this reason there is no predetermined length of treatment. A minimum of a year is the norm. I see people from once to four times weekly – the more often someone comes, the more intensive the dialogue. Sessions are 50 minutes long.
Fees are discussed at the initial consultation, which is £50 and lasts about an hour. At the time of writing (February 2006) the minimum fee is £50 per session for once a week, and negotiable if you come more often. Fees are payable monthly.
The hours depend on what vacancies I have available. Early mornings and evenings are the most popular, so harder to come by. People also come in the lunch hour, or, if working hours are flexible, late afternoon. I don't work on weekends.
Email me with your phone number and what time you can be reached, and we can arrange a time to speak or to meet for you to tell me something about yourself and why you're seeking help, as well as to ask any questions. My email address is
Everything you say is totally confidential, from our initial contact throughout all of the sessions. I ask for a GP name and address in case of emergency.
My consulting room is in central London in Cleveland Street, W1. There is a lift. There are several Underground stations nearby: Warren Street station is 5 minutes away; Great Portland Street and Regent's Park 3 minutes; Oxford Circus 10 minutes; Euston 10–15 minutes. There are many buses running along Euston Road, Great Portland Street and Tottenham Court Road (see map below).
