Cherry Potter, MA, M.Inst.GA, UKCP
I have been seeing clients at my private practice in Brighton Kemptown since 2004. Many of my clients see me for one to one Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or Counselling. I also specialize in Couples Counselling and Psychosexual Therapy. I am a group-analytic psychotherapist and I conduct a weekly long-term therapy group. The group is mixed sex and the group members have a range of different reasons for joining the group.
Before training as a psychotherapist, I was a writer and teacher of film making and creative writing. Like many writers I was particularly interested in how our individual stories and problems are often influenced first by our family of origin and later by all the relationships we form in our personal, social and working lives. This deep interest in human psychology together with my love of working face-to-face with people is why I decided to train as a psychotherapist.
My most recent book How Psychotherapy Helps Us Understand Sexual Relationships was published in 2019 by Routledge. This book is for the general reader interested in understanding their own relationships as well as for training psychotherapist and counsellors.
If you would like to know more about my professional writing career, books or articles please visit my personal website www.cherrypotter.co.uk
Your therapy
To begin with, I usually arrange for a brief telephone consultation to enable us to talk about why you are considering one to one therapy, couples therapy or group therapy. This will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have before you decide whether you would like to book an initial assessment session. Part of this consultation will include a discussion about your particular circumstances and costs of therapy.
The aim of your initial face to face or online Zoom session is to talk in more depth about your current problems and your personal history, and for us to think about which kind of therapy may be best for you. This session will also give you a chance to meet me and for us both to decide whether I am the right therapist for you. During the pandemic I worked online on Zoom. Some of my clients have chosen to stay on line whilst others prefer to have face to face sessions in my consulting room.
My Fees
Individual psychotherapy or Counselling – The initial brief telephone consultation is free. My usual fee for weekly or fortnightly individual psychotherapy or counselling is £60 – £80 per 50 minute session.
Couples Counselling – I usually charge £70 – £80 per 55 minute session.
Group Therapy – £25 per weekly 90 minute session.
I am aware that some individuals and couples are facing financial hardship not to mention the additional stress, anxiety and relationship problems caused by the current financial crisis. I occasionally offer a reduced fee depending on your circumstances.
My Practice
My consulting room is in Egremont Place, Brighton BN2 0GB, which is within easy walking distance from the centre of Brighton and well served by buses to Kemptown. There is also parking nearby in Queens Park.
Find Out More
If you think you need help but you are not sure which kind of therapy or counselling will be best for you please contact me for more information, or to arrange for an initial one to one session to talk things through. You can call me on the number listed on this website. Alternatively, send me a message by filling out the form on the Contact Us page I will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.
My training and qualifications
2019 Certificate in Psychosexual Studies – The Tavistock Relationships Clinic London
2010 Certificate Working with Couples – The Tavistock Clinic London
2006 Post-Graduate Diploma in Group-Analytic Psychotherapy – The Turvey Institute for Group Analytic Psychotherapy
2001 – 2006 honorary psychotherapist at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital.
I am a member of the London Institute of Group Analysis and I am registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy.
Other Professional Activities
- 2019 Author of ‘How Psychotherapy Helps Us Understand Sexual Relationships: Insights from the Consulting Room’ published by Routledge. For more information about this book and my other professional writing see www.cherrypotter.co.uk
- 2014 Delegate Group Analytic Society European Symposium Lisbon ‘Art meets Science’
- 2011 Member of the Group Analytic Society Scientific Committee for the European Symposium ‘Cultures, Conflict, and Creativity’.
- 2010 IGA Series Convenor: ‘Forces of Change: Resistance and Fear or Hope for Renewal?’, exploring our desire for change and our deep need for the familiar however unhappy it makes us. I was also the keynote speaker for the Forces of Change workshop on ‘Gender and Sexuality’.
- 2009 IGA Series Convenor: ‘Dark Forces: Understanding Destructiveness and Transformation’, exploring the origins of destructiveness in childhood and the family and its manifestations in many aspects of adult life.
- 2008 keynote speaker for the IGA workshop series ‘Talking about Sex’.
- 2006 guest speaker at the Institute of Psychiatry Maudsley Debate
Code of Ethics
I am fully insured and abide by the codes of ethics and practice of my professional associations: the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Institute of Group Analysis (IGA).