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.

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 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 healthier 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?

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 more suitable for you.

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