What matters more to the quality of our lives than the quality of our relationships?

Online Relationship Therapist based in London

Welcome

I'm an experienced qualified psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist working with couples and individuals facing relationship challenges and emotional difficulties. The foundation of my practice is listening to you and your needs.

My work is collaborative and rooted in the belief that past experiences shape how we think, feel, and relate in the present—and that by understanding these patterns, meaningful change becomes possible.

I trained at the internationally renowned Tavistock Relationships, earning a BACP-accredited clinical qualification in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am a member of the BACP and the Tavistock Relationships Association for Psychotherapists and Counsellors (TRAPC), and I adhere to their professional codes and ethical guidelines.

Therapy & Relationship Support for Individuals & Couples

I work with couples and individuals who are navigating relational challenges, emotional difficulties, and the patterns that keep them stuck.

The quality of our relationships profoundly shapes our quality of life—affecting our mental health, physical wellbeing, and sense of ourselves. Past experiences, particularly from our earliest relationships, continue to influence how we connect with others and make sense of our world today.

In our work together, we'll explore the unconscious dynamics, emotional triggers, and unmet needs that shape your relationships and inner life. Whether you're facing a crisis, caught in repeating patterns, seeking deeper connection, or simply feeling overwhelmed, I offer a confidential, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported.

For Couples: I specialise in relationship difficulties including affairs and trust issues, communication breakdowns, jealousy, parenting challenges, loss of intimacy, and unresolved conflict. My goal is to create a safe therapeutic space where both partners feel empowered to understand not just what happens between you, but why.

For Individuals: Whether you're struggling with a specific concern or a feeling you can't quite name, therapy provides a place to make sense of your experience and find your way forward.

My Approach

I work with couples and individuals using an integrative approach that draws from contemporary psychodynamic theory, emotionally focused therapy, and attachment-based practices. Our relationships—with partners, with ourselves, and with our past—are shaped by deeper emotional patterns and stories that often operate outside our conscious awareness. My work is about bringing these patterns into the light so they can shift.

At the heart of psychodynamic therapy is the understanding that unconscious parts of ourselves—often shaped by early experiences—continue to influence our present relationships and emotional life in ways we don't always recognise. By bringing these hidden patterns into awareness, they can begin to change, often bringing significant relief and new possibilities for how we relate and feel.

Working with Couples

In couples therapy, we explore the unconscious dynamics and emotional narratives that each partner brings into the relationship. Often, the conflicts that feel most intractable are rooted in unmet attachment needs, old wounds, or patterns learned long before you met each other.

Together, we'll work to:

Increase emotional insight and self-awareness

Improve communication and the ability to repair after conflict

Foster mutual empathy and understanding

Identify repeating patterns and what drives them

Create more meaningful connection and intimacy

My goal is to help you understand not just what happens between you, but why—so you can relate to each other with greater compassion and choice.

Working with Individuals

Whether you're facing a current difficulty, carrying something from your past, or feeling anxious about the future, life can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. Perhaps you struggle with relationships, self-esteem, or a sense of dissatisfaction you can't quite name. Maybe there's anxiety, low mood, or patterns you keep repeating despite your best intentions.

Therapy provides a safe, confidential space where you can feel truly heard and supported. While it may initially feel unfamiliar, psychotherapy is essentially a conversation aimed at deepening your understanding of your own experience—helping you make sense of what's happening and find your way toward greater peace and self-acceptance.

Get in touch

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions, particularly for couples and individual work focused on relational and emotional issues. Many clients appreciate the convenience and comfort of attending from their own space. The therapeutic relationship—the foundation of effective therapy—develops just as meaningfully online.

It's not uncommon for one partner to be more hesitant initially. While couples therapy works best when both partners are willing to engage, I'm happy to speak with both of you during the initial consultation to address any concerns. Sometimes individual therapy can be a helpful starting point if your partner isn't ready for couples work.

Change in therapy can be subtle and gradual. You might notice you're handling situations differently, feeling less overwhelmed, communicating more effectively, or simply understanding yourself better. We'll check in regularly about how you're experiencing the work, and you're always welcome to raise questions . Therapy isn't always comfortable—sometimes feeling worse before feeling better is part of the process as we explore difficult material—but you should generally feel that the work is meaningful and that you're being heard.

In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably, and there's significant overlap. Traditionally, counselling might be seen as shorter-term and more focused on specific issues, while psychotherapy suggests longer-term, more exploratory work. My training encompasses both, and I work flexibly depending on what you need. We can discuss what approach might suit you best during our initial consultation.

I'm not available for between-session support or crisis intervention. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your GP, call NHS 111 (press option 2 for mental health support), or in an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.

For non-urgent administrative matters, you're welcome to email me, and I'll respond within 48 hours during working days.

I currently offer appointments during weekdays. Please enquire about current availability when you get in touch.

The therapeutic relationship is crucial to the success of therapy. If at any point you feel we're not a good match, please raise this with me. We can explore what's not working, and if needed, I can help you find a more suitable therapist. There's no obligation to continue working with me if it doesn't feel right

There's no special preparation needed. Simply come as you are and share whatever feels important to you. It's natural to feel nervous—most people do. The first session is about getting to know each other and beginning to understand what brings you to therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy isn't about giving advice. Instead, my role is to help you understand yourself more deeply, explore your patterns and feelings, and support you in finding your own answers. I believe you're the expert on your own life—my job is to help you access that expertise and make choices that feel right for you.

Francesca Venning