Meet the therapist series: Connie Allfrey

Connie is a BACP accredited Integrative Psychotherapist, offering both in person and online counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and couples.  She began seeing clients in 2008 and started her own practice in 2015.

Why did you become a Psychotherapist?

I became lost to myself during a difficult relationship in my 20s and began seeing a therapist for the first time.  She provided a space for me to see what was really going on, and the process seemed almost mystical in its simplicity and effectiveness.  I was eager to experience the light of understanding for myself, so I began training at Regent’s University, while still working as a journalist and writer.  The fulfilment I found in the gradual unfolding of truth through the various theories and techniques lured me in and I realised it was something I wanted to do full time.

What do you find interesting and attractive about the profession?

It is the greatest privilege to be let into so many

different worlds and heartening to discover that underneath the myriad layers and manifestations we are all similarly seeking peace, purpose, love and connection.  What connects us is so much greater than what divides us.  I am fascinated by this experience of life and am always trying to understand myself and the world more deeply.  The requisite learning and development for this profession is what I am naturally drawn to on my personal road to truth, so I feel very lucky to be able to learn and practise that learning in my daily life. 

What is your general philosophy and how would you use that to approach a normal session?

Like Jung I believe that life is inherently good and that ‘he who looks outside dreams, he who looks inside awakes’.  I believe that each individual has everything they need within them to awaken to their full potential and lead a fulfilling and happy life.  I believe it is about unbecoming the lie, rather than becoming anything else.  Sometimes we can feel lost under a weight of stone, as I have felt many times myself, but it only took some time and a persistent chisel to release Michaelangelo’s David from the rock.

Who would you normally work with?

My clients present with a wide variety of issues.  I work with individuals and couples and am happy to see anyone who is in need of some help. 

What are your strengths as a Therapist?

I have an optimistic worldview, I have worked through a lot of my own mental health and life issues to come to a place of real contentment, which I feel confident I can help steer my clients towards.  I keep myself clear and present so that I can be like a garden for clients to walk around, noticing more and more, until they are ready for the open horizon again.

What do you want for the future of Therapy?

Judging by the amount of messages I am currently getting from friends or acquaintances wanting to talk about starting a career in therapy I feel it is gaining the respect it deserves.  The recent pandemic has really stripped us back from frivolous living and I feel the therapeutic process has been left stalwart and burgeoning as people have depended upon it like a life raft.  I feel honoured to be a part of that raft. 

For more information on Connie please click here