In addition to general counselling, I also offer creative and media coaching
Simon Chu (MBACP, BAPAM, BA.Hons, Pg.dip)
Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
About Me.
Background, clinical experience and approach
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and the power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness” (Viktor Frankl)
As a BACP registered counsellor, I believe that effective psychotherapy can turn your world around. By helping you recognise difficult feelings and unwelcome behaviour and then identify and dismantle the self defeating patterns of thought that create them, I can offer the raised awareness and emotional support you need to bring about a deep and lasting life transformation.
My clinical experience includes working with a diverse range of clients aged from 21 to 60 on issues surrounding anxiety, depression, trauma, shame, low self worth, bereavement, identity, loneliness, anger management, OCD, ADHD, addiction, career, sexuality, family conflict and relationships.
As someone of Chinese extraction born in Britain, I also have first hand knowledge of growing up as an ethnic minority in England and a therapeutic understanding of the complexities around discrimination and self esteem that this experience brings with It. Although English is my first language, I can also speak some Cantonese.
Additionally, I specialise in issues connected with the creative industries and as a BAPAM registered practitioner (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine), I see a number of clients in the arts and entertainment field. Previously, I worked as a counsellor to young musicians and actors at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
My background is as a documentary film director where I worked both as a freelancer and as a staff employee for a mass corporation like the BBC. Over the course of twenty years, I gained valuable insight into both the challenge of building a career and the struggle of looking for work. Originally, I trained as a solicitor so I also have a wide practical understanding of how conflict, negotiation and reconciliation can impact everyday relationships.
Through this combination of life experience, specialist training and a natural, non judgemental affinity with a diverse mix of people, I believe I can offer you a safe and empathetic environment to explore whatever issues block your full potential and hold you back from living the rich emotional life that you deserve.
My Experience
Alongside general practice I also specialise in the creative industries and work related issues
Drawing on both my clinical work and my twenty years experience in the entertainment industry, I am well placed to help people deal with the mental and emotional fallout of working in high pressure, competitive and creatively demanding professions like music, theater, design, fashion, publishing, advertising and other media.
In the past couple of years more and more attention has been drawn to the precarious mental health of those working in all types of competitive media industries. Now post pandemic, new issues have emerged around working routines, procrastination, optimising our work/life balance and new technical challenges like AI.
Typical issues range from burn out, bullying, dealing with rejection, self sabotage and "Imposter Syndrome" to the emotional roller coaster of fame, rejection and invasion of privacy. With first hand experience of many of these issues myself, I can provide an empathetic, non judgemental environment in which to share and explore your particular situation.
How I Work
I use a range of techniques informed by the latest developments in clinical research
My principle training is in Gestalt Therapy as practiced at the internationally renowned Metanoia Institute in London. The fundamental goal is to raise your self awareness and to treat the whole person and not just the mind. So alongside traditional talking therapy, I use a range of experiential techniques including body process, enactment, creative expression, internal dialogue and visualisation, tailor made to suit your unique circumstances.
I believe that therapy succeeds or fails on one key factor. My relationship with you. I see our work together as a collaborative venture where we figure out between us what methodology best suits your particular needs. My priority is to build a bond of trust and understanding based on empathy, mutual respect and non-judgement.
For me, this means bringing the whole of my life experience, training and humanity into our relationship and attending to your needs with sensitivity and compassion so that you feel fully seen, heard and appreciated.
About Gestalt Therapy
Issues Around Public Performance and Fame
One of my research interests is in treating anxiety brought about by public and social pressure
The TV networks I worked for like the BBC and ITV have a broad popular appeal and many of the people I worked with over twenty years were household names or well known to the public. Working closely with celebrities on intimate and sensitive issues gave me a unique insight into the concerns and defenses of people in the public eye, but it also helped me appreciate how similar processes affect millions of people who struggle with social anxiety.
The pressure to perform in the glare of the spotlight brings its own special set of issues like stage fright and creative block leading to common problems like anxiety, depression and low self esteem. Fame can act as a pressure valve in these circumstances to accelerate the process of deteriorating mental health but a similar mechanism operates to impede anyone that suffers under the scrutiny of social pressure.
My unique experience as a film director and a therapist makes me ideally placed to understand how the pressure of public scrutiny can trigger anxiety around having to perform and I offer a safe, non judgemental environment in which to explore such issues in depth.
Performance anxiety, stage fright, creative block, invasion of privacy, imposter syndrome.
Practicalities
Training and Qualification
Registered Member - British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Metanoia Institute London
Training - MSc in Gestalt Therapy : Metanoia Institute London
Training - Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy: Helena Kellner
Externship Certificate - British Emotionally Focussed Therapy Centre
Solicitor of The Supreme Court, England and Wales
BA Hons Philosophy - University of North Wales
Clinical Experience as Counsellor:
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Student Services, Barbican
Metanoia Psychotherapy and Counselling Service, Ealing
Claremont Project Counselling Service, Islington
I am fully covered by professional indemnity insurance and adhere to the ethical guidelines of BACP
Therapy and Counselling Services
I offer a free initial telephone or video consultation. If we decide to work together I can offer to see you weekly over a short term period or for a longer fixed term period or on a rolling weekly basis. I offer both online and in person sessions from my clinic in Queens Park W10.
Fees and Location
For Iindividuals, my fees are £70 per 50 mins session.
For couples my fees are £100 per 1 hour session
I consider limited concession rates for low means clients
Payment is by bank transfer or otherwise agreed.
My clinic is situated at:
The Re-Mind and Body Therapy Center
260a Kilburn Lane
London, W10 4BA
United Kingdom