Rate Jan Sheppard

I am an existential-phenomenological individual, couple and family psychotherapist with 25 years of experience in the public and private sector. This has included working in four NHS departments (outpatient clinics and hospital settings) as well as teaching and supervising within many of the country’s most reputable training organisations. I have published papers in the field of existential analysis and psychiatry and now work full time in private practice.

The primary aim of my work is to increase understanding and deepen insight into patterns of behaviour and experience which people identify as problematic and wish to clarify and resolve. This includes a wide range of interpersonal and emotional difficulties (e.g problems related to communication, sex, intimacy, sleep, food etc) as well as the full range of problems psychiatrists deal with (e.g diagnoses of schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, OCD, ADHD, PTSD etc).

The heart of my practice is careful and attentive listening. I speak in ordinary non-technical language and ask many simple questions. Similarly, the setting is intimate and cooperative and conversations are confidential. My main professional interest is in helping small groups whether couples or families in various configurations disentangle and demystify their relationships with one another.

The aim of all my work is to facilitate reflective self examination in order to bring about change. Some people attend with a specific problem, (eg addiction, anxiety, depression etc.) whereas other people attend for a deeper analysis which isn’t focussed on eliminating a specific symptom, although the symptom will often disappear as a consequence of this exploration.