Tom Secretan

All sorts of things bring us to counselling and psychotherapy. Sometimes it’s a life event or transition that feels overwhelming. Sometimes it’s that we find ourselves struggling in relationships, or troubled by our thoughts, feelings or behaviour. Sometimes we are having to cope with an environment that devalues or rejects some aspect of our identity, or we just feel deep down that our lives could be lived more fully. In many cases, we arrive in therapy already knowing what we want help with; in others, this is what we have come to find out.

I trained over seven years at The Minster Centre on courses accredited by BACP and UKCP. This training was integrative, which means it combined elements from several therapeutic models: psychodynamic, humanistic, existential and body-based. The way I work is also informed by contemporary ideas in attachment theory and the relational school of psychoanalysis.

Having provided counselling for several years at a college of music and dance, I have particular experience working with younger adults, students (domestic and international), singers, musicians, composers, dancers, choreographers and actors.

I have undertaken post-qualification training in Couple / Relationship Therapy and am passionate about working with people to heal, strengthen and enliven their relationships. I am equipped to help not only romantic partners and spouses, but also siblings, friends and business partners, as well as parents and their adult children.

I have a research interest in fathers and fathering and have written for The New Psychotherapist, the magazine of UKCP. As a member of UKCP, I adhere to their code of professional ethics.

The issues I have helped people with include

• depression
• anxiety
• bereavement
• addiction to drugs or alcohol
• compulsive sexual behaviour
• eating disorders
• bullying
• body dysphoria
• anger and aggression
• relationship difficulties
• cultural identity
• gender and sexual identity
• men’s issues
• experiences of racism
• sexual abuse and assault
• issues arising from disability and illness
• issues arising from neurodivergence
• suicidal feelings
• self-harm
• boarding school experiences
• the transition to parenthood
• issues around trust or intimacy
• leaving home / homesickness
• distress related to the climate crisis.

Whatever you would like help with, I invite you to get in touch.

Please email tomsecretantherapy@gmail.com with enquiries.