Therapy as Unique as You Are in Surrey and Online

Dragonfly Psychotherapy

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself during life's transitions?

I know how much strength it takes to be here, reading these words. Life can feel overwhelming, lonely, or confusing, and you might be wondering if anyone truly understands what you're going through. I want you to know that I see you - your struggles matter, your story matters, and you matter. 

You're already being brave just by considering reaching out. In our work together, there's no judgement, no pressure to be 'fixed,' and no timeline you need to follow. This is your safe space to be exactly where you are, to feel what you're feeling, and to gently explore what comes next. I'm here to walk alongside you with warmth and understanding as you write your next chapter - one filled with greater clarity, self-compassion, and hope.

In Charlie Mackesy's book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, the boy asks the horse “What's the bravest thing you've ever said?” to which the horse answers "Help". This book goes on to emphasise that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a courageous act of refusing to give up, mirroring my own ethos.

I'm Vicky and I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist offering a safe, compassionate space where you can explore what truly matters to you. With 20 years' experience as an NHS doctor before becoming a therapist, I bring a unique understanding of how our minds and bodies work together during challenging times.

I specialise in supporting people through:

Life transitions and burnout

Anxiety, depression, and health anxiety

Self-esteem and identity challenges

Neurodiversity-related experiences

Menopause and chronic health conditions

Career changes and personal upheavals

I work with adults and young people (11+) from my practices in Guildford and Horsley, Surrey, as well as online for your convenience.   

I also now facilitate workshops with young people, and find this work incredibly rewarding.

You can head down to my pages with resources and sources of support, worksheets and activities, workshops and activities, workshops and talks, book reviews and blogs to see if there is anything to help you get started.

If you're wondering why Dragonfly Psychotherapy? Like the dragonfly that transforms and adapts, I believe in your capacity for change and self-realisation. Together, we'll navigate your journey with empathy and purpose.

Ready to explore how therapy could support you? I'd be delighted to hear from you. Take the first step towards clarity and transformation and get in touch with me.

What you can expect from working with me:

If you choose to work with me, you're not just getting a therapist - you're gaining a genuine ally in your journey. Clients have told me how much they value feeling truly seen and heard, sometimes for the first time in their lives. One client recently shared, "You have been an incredible support for me. I will never forget you Vicky". And these words stay with me, as a reminder of why my work matters so deeply.

Clients mainly mention three things about working with me: First, they feel safe to explore difficult emotions without judgment. Second, they appreciate that I don't just listen, I help them develop practical tools they can actually use in their daily lives. As examples, whether the client has anxiety, depression, difficulties at school or home or is suffering as a result of hormone changes in the menopause I aim to equip them in ways to allow them to move forwards. As one client put it, "I feel like I have the tools to keep going with it now". And third, they value the genuine warmth and connection we build together, which becomes the foundation for real change.

Whether you're navigating a specific crisis or feeling generally stuck, my clients find that our sessions offer both immediate relief and lasting clarity and transformation. They sometimes express surprise at how helpful therapy can be - "These sessions have been so helpful, I so appreciate it" - especially when they've been hesitant about reaching out to start with.

I understand that choosing a therapist is a big decision. You want someone who truly gets it, someone who can hold space for your struggles whilst also helping you find your way forwards. My clients choose me because they sense that I genuinely care about their wellbeing and bring both professional expertise and heartfelt compassion to every session. And the support that I offer isn't just for the therapy room - it's about empowering you with insights and strategies that become part of your everyday toolkit for wellbeing.

My Work with You as an Integrative Therapist

I’m an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, and will guide you through life’s challenges with empathy, compassion and a holistic, tailored approach to our work. 

My work centres on providing a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to lean towards personal growth and healing.

My integrative approach means I tailor our work to your unique needs, drawing from various therapeutic methods to help you reconnect with your values, rediscover your sense of self, and create new possibilities for growth.

I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT and mindfulness-based techniques. We’ll work together to find what’s most helpful for you, and our approach can evolve as your needs change.

You may be facing emotional challenges that also affect your physical health - or vice versa. My background in medicine, combined with specialist training in psychotherapy, means I understand the deep connection between mind and body. This allows me to support you with both compassion and clinical insight.

If you're looking for support around a specific issue, or want to gain clarity quickly, I also offer Single Session Therapy, which is ideal if you're self-directed, have had previous therapy, or want focused support without committing to long-term work.

In addition to my work with adults, I love working with young people because I have seen their needs through my voluntary work in a secondary school, and observed how support can make a real difference to them.

Background

Before embarking on my journey as a counsellor and psychotherapist, I spent 20 years working as a doctor in the NHS, predominantly as a general practitioner. This rich background gives me a broad and deep understanding of both the emotional and physical aspects of health, allowing me to bring a truly integrative perspective to my practice.

I am passionate about working with people who are facing the challenges associated with life taking an unexpected transition - such as burn out, a chronic physical or mental health issue (including arthritis, diabetes, cancer, neurological illnesses, depression, anxiety) and working on the impact these have on your mental health and way of living. I also work with those who have a loved one living with difficulties. My medical background, knowledge and experience as well as my therapeutic training, blend together to aid my work with you.
 

Qualifications

I hold a Masters degree (Merit) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from Roehampton University, and I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (member number 402603). 

I work with individuals facing a wide range of issues, and I continue to be passionate about helping people navigate life’s complexities with compassion and care.

First Steps

It can feel very difficult to reach out and make initial contact with a therapist, and I wholly understand this and try to make the process as straightforward as possible.

When you first make contact with me, we can arrange a no charge 15 minute telephone call so that we can talk through the difficulties you are experiencing and whether there is something you are hoping to achieve through therapy. It’s okay if there isn’t something specific, sometimes it feels too complicated to untangle everything at first. We can talk through how we might be able to work together.

Our Sessions

If you decide that you would like to work together with me on your difficulties, we will arrange an initial assessment appointment. This and subsequent sessions are 50 minutes in length. 

In the initial assessment, I am seeking to get a much more in depth understanding of your difficulties, in order for us to be able to make a plan for working jointly towards your goals.

Our sessions would be collaborative, and tailored to your specific aims - whether you're looking for immediate relief from stress, seeking to understand and repair from past experiences, or working towards long-term personal growth. 

It can be helpful to have a weekly therapy slot booked to keep the momentum of therapy going, but I always try to work around peoples' various circumstances, eg shift work, exams, childcare commitments or whatever it may be, so please talk to me.

If you opt to try Single Session Therapy, we can discuss the length of the session and details.