Space-4 counselling

Space-4 specialises in psychodynamic counselling as well as EMDR therapy.

Space-4 counselling sessions are based on psychodynamic principles but may include elements of other therapeutic approaches, depending on the needs of each individual, including acceptance and commitment therapy & positive psychology (ACT & DNA-V), cognition and behaviour (scientific perspectives and CBT), and EMDR therapy.

This page contains some information about what to expect from psychodynamic counselling, which is at the heart of how Space-4 counselling works to support you.

For more information on EMDR therapy, see the Space-4 EMDR page.

What is psychodynamic counselling?

The British Psychoanalytic Council gives the following description:

"This kind of therapy addresses underlying issues and causes, often from your past, which may be concerning you, or affecting your relationships with others. In your sessions you will be encouraged to talk freely and to look deeper into your problems and worries. It differs from many other talking therapies in that it aims to help people make deep seated change in personality and emotional development, alongside relieving troubling symptoms. It can help you discuss feelings you have about yourself and other people, particularly family and those close to you."

"It can contribute significantly to a person’s mental and physical health, to their sense of well-being and to their ability to live a more fulfilling life."

Can psychodynamic counselling help me?

Psychodynamic counselling can be helpful if you're struggling with recurring emotional or relational challenges or if you are looking to explore deep-seated emotional issues and understand unconscious patterns of behaviour.

Here are some situations where psychodynamic counselling may be beneficial:

Unresolved Experiences – If past trauma or family dynamics are affecting you, psychodynamic therapy helps explore those deep-rooted feelings and how they show up in your life today.

Ongoing Anxiety or Depression – If you're struggling with long-term emotional pain or difficult moods, this approach can help you understand the deeper layers of your experience and unresolved inner conflicts.

Self-Discovery and Growth – If you're looking to understand yourself better, uncovering unconscious patterns can bring clarity, help you make sense of your emotions, and guide personal growth.

Feeling Lost or Directionless – If you’re unsure about where you’re headed or feel disconnected from your goals, this therapy can help uncover what's holding you back on a deeper level.

Self-Worth and Identity – If you're grappling with self-esteem issues or a sense of identity, this approach can help you explore how past experiences have shaped your sense of self and help you connect with a sense of who you are now or who you want to be.

Coping Mechanisms and Defences – If you are curious about how you are reacting to challenges or notice yourself using unhealthy ways to cope, psychodynamic therapy can help you understand their roots and explore other ways to connect with and make use of your emotions and experiences.

Existential Questions – For those struggling with questions about life’s purpose or meaning, psychodynamic therapy offers a space to explore the fears and unresolved conflicts that influence your sense of direction.

Emotional Expression & Connection – If you have difficulty expressing your feelings or connecting with others emotionally, this therapy can help you explore why and open up safe ways of connecting.

At its heart, psychodynamic counselling is a deeply personal process. It is about gaining insight into your emotional world, understanding how you relate to the world around you and how your past affects your present, and working through old patterns that may be holding you back. It’s a healing process that can bring you a sense of clarity, freedom, and emotional balance.

What to expect?

Psychodynamic therapy works by creating a safe space for you to explore personal experiences and unconscious conflicts and feelings.
We hold a regular safe space for this work and go at whatever pace and in whatever direction feels right for you.
You will be encouraged to talk freely about whatever is on your mind and what you are experiencing - your therapist is there to listen & observe carefully and help you explore, and will help you settle into this way of working.
Psychodynamic therapists typically take a non-directive, reflective approach. Rather than offering immediate advice or solutions, your therapist will help you explore and develop your own understanding and ways forward.
Psychodynamic counselling often involves discussing earlier life experiences, significant relationships, and key events that may have shaped your current outlook or emotional state. The goal is not to dwell on the past but to understand how these experiences may be affecting you now.
The therapist will help you to make connections between past experiences and present-day difficulties, encouraging self-reflection. Insight often leads to greater self-awareness and can bring relief from emotional pain or confusion.
Over time, the goal is for you to become more conscious of your internal world, understand how past experiences shape you current life and how you relate to the world around you, and develop healthy ways of coping with difficulties.
Psychodynamic counselling is helpful for individuals seeking to explore and make sense of complex emotional experiences. You will have the space to explore and experience your inner world and relationship experiences within the safety of the therapeutic relationship.
The relationship between you and the therapist is a central element of psychodynamic therapy. The therapist may notice patterns that arise in the therapeutic relationship itself, such as feelings of trust or resistance, and use these patterns as material for exploration. This relationship can act as a mirror, offering insights into how you relate to others outside the therapy room.
Psychodynamic therapy can be intense and sometimes challenging, depending on what you are exploring. You might experience discomfort or resistance as you face difficult emotions or confront painful memories. However, this is a normal part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist will help you navigate these challenges in a supportive and non-judgemental way.

How many session will I have?

In short, as many as you want or need: Space-4 offers open-ended support plans to allow as much space as you want to explore whatever is on your mind.

Your psychodynamic counselling plan can be totally open, a regular space for as long as you want it, to freely explore whatever is on your mind. Or it can be used to focus on a particular experience or concern for an agreed period of time. We will develop a plan to suit you.

Psychodynamic counselling tends to be a longer-term therapy compared to more solution-focused therapies but it is highly effective for those committed to understanding themselves on a profound level and addressing longstanding emotional or relational issues. It requires a willingness to explore emotional issues and is often a gradual process. Sessions typically take place weekly, and the work unfolds over time as trust develops and deeper layers are uncovered.

If you are looking for a more targeted / solution-focused / structured approach, then we can explore whether EMDR therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy & positive psychology (ACT & DNA-V) approaches are useful for you.

To find out more, or to book an introductory session, please contact hello@space-4.co.uk

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