Find your therapist

Hello there dear reader, my name is Hal, short for Haldun Hüseyin Musazlioglu (just call me Hal, everyone does).

When people ask me how I got into psychotherapy, I usually say it got to me first:
I was 12 years old when I first had to see a therapist. People near me (ironically not my parents) noted already back then my permanent gloomy and melancholic outlook on life – even this in Germany where I was born, by all means not a country known for its ‘cheerio!’ attitude. Years later, I was diagnosed with dysthymic depression and finally had to be put on anti-depressants aged 30 after a preceding psychotic episode (my way of a mid-life crisis: not blowing a lot of money, but instead losing gradually touch with reality). It was also around this time when my aunt in Turkey shared that the entire matrilineal side of our family had prolonged battles with depression. Thanks, mum.

On top of this, our Muslim upbringing didn’t aid much to my family’s mental health. It also doesn’t do much for you if you realise you’re gay, and you eventually need to come out. As I had to. And did. My mum cried for three months, realised eventually her son will never be the imagined prim solicitor/doctor with wife and kids, so reverted instead to hate my tattoos.

By age 19, I had properly felt sick and tired of that kind of constrained upbringing, also of the Germans, so moved to London (though frankly, now I feel like that with the English, but this is for a different forum…)

After several more years bumbling through various underpaid customer service jobs,  I studied Art & Design/more or less useful degrees (Furniture Design. Yes, seriously.) and tried myself out among other things as a film extra and a Stand-up comedian (memorably, I died in a North-London pub in front of an audience that consisted of my ex-boyfriend and Russell Brand), I looked finally into how I could use my own experiences with depression, inter-cultural clashes, emerging kink-sexualities, an HIV+ status and a fanatical liking for Heavy Metal, so I eventually studied counselling.

By 2012 I started my counselling studies and after around 5 years, including one failed year of CBT (blowing finally a lot of money after all), I decided to stick with the humanistic school of therapy of Person-Centred counselling, developed by Carl Rogers. From the 1940ies on, already being a bit of a hippie and believing that everyone is innately ‘good’, he decided to emphasise the non-hierarchical alliance between client and therapist, while maintaining an “unconditional positive regard”.

And I soon found it worked for me – and for my other job, which is in mental health rehabilitation.

Then in August 2019, I also started my MSc degree in Psychology with Arden University. My plan after I finish in around three years’ time, is to fall into a very relaxing coma.

Until then, I genuinely find a lot of fulfilment through my work, so please don’t hesitate to ask me questions about whatever life has thrown at you.

Das alles übrigens gerne auch auf deutsch!  ; )

Lucy works with clients mainly using Person Centred and CBT approaches to counselling. Providing confidential counselling for individuals, couples, and families and employers providing workplace counselling services, training and support.

Qualifications
– Diploma in Person Centred Counselling
– Diploma in Counselling
– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Diploma
– Rewind Therapy
– Certificate in Counselling
– Certificate in Couple & Family Relationship Counselling
– Certificate in Crisis Counselling
– Certificate in Grief & Bereavement Counselling
– Anger & Aggression Management Counselling Certificate
– ASIST Suicide Intervention
– Mediation & Conflict Management qualification
– Diploma in Mindfulness
– Diploma in CBT

Trained & Accredited with Cruse Bereavement Care as a Bereavement Counsellor

Experience working for Staffordshire NHS Trust as part of the Staff Support & Counselling Service, working with personal and work related issues

Welcome to my counselling service…

I am a Person-Centred therapist but I also use CBT and Solution Focus approach when required.
I have a broad range of adult and young people’s clients covering a range of issues including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, personality disorders, and relational issues. I can work with issues that relate to trauma, PTSD, loss, anger management, addiction, eating disorder, social anxiety, OCD, and substance misuse.
I can say I am passionate about counselling, which helps to empower clients, enabling them to live fulfilling lives.

I hold a BA (Hons) Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy and MSc in Psychology. I am also a life and Health and Wellness coach.

I am a person-centred trained counsellor in practice since 2003 and a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I am also a career coach, and am currently training for a diploma in counselling supervision. While I am training I charge £25 per hour for supervision.

All sessions are 60 minutes.

I’m based in Finchley, north London, and offer face to face and on-line counselling. I have many years experience working with people by Skype, Facetime, Zoom and other online platforms, as well as telephone. I do not offer text-only based support.

If any of the following describe your situation I am able to support you:

• Life issues: Career, Work and Redundancy, Identity, Relationships, Sexuality, Spirituality, Loss and Bereavement
• Anxiety and Stress: Fear or Phobia, Panic Attacks, Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress
• Feeling low: Feeling a lack of meaning, Anger, Low self-esteem, Unhappiness or Loneliness, Depression

I am a UKCP-registered integrative existential psychotherapist with extensive experience in delivering long and short term psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I have 14 years’ experience of working therapeutically in higher education, the NHS and in private practice.

As an integrative existential psychotherapist, I am particularly interested in how we make meaning of the world and of our lives, and how this affects our day to day functioning. Experiencing a crisis of meaning can be a major source of stress and anxiety. If your life starts to feel meaningless, you may end up in a hopeless and depressed state. The therapist’s role is to support you to navigate the difficult feelings that can arise in the process and help you find renewed purpose in your life.

I combine elements from different schools in my approach to psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. I have worked with clients experiencing many different issues, including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, relationship issues and religious and spiritual matters. I am experienced in supporting team members and managers with work-based conflicts. Additionally, I have considerable experience in supporting clients with diagnosed mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders and clinical depression.

Qualifications:

Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy (2012)

Masters Degree in Psychotherapy (2008)

Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision (2008)

Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling, (2004)

Research and Publications:

Conference Presentations:

Cassar, S. (2015). Existential spirituality: navigating the maze of spiritual thinking within existential psychotherapy. World Conference for Existential Therapy. London

Cassar, S. (2011). The Impact of Psychotherapists’ Spiritual Practice, Beliefs and Values on their Clinical Work: preliminary findings. Theology and Therapy 2011 Day Conference. Edinburgh University.

Publications:

Aceijas, C., Waldhäusl, S., Lambert, N., Cassar, S., Bello Corassa, R., (2016) Determinants of health-related lifestyles among university students. Perspectives in Public Health

Vahrmeyer, M and Cassar, S (2017) The paradox of finitude in the context of infinitude: Is death denial an essential aspect of being in the world? Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 28.1: 151-165

Cooper, M., Wild, C., van Rijn, B., Ward, T., McLeod, J., Cassar, S., Antoniou, P., Michael, C., Michalitis, M., Sreenath, S. (2015) Pluralistic Therapy for Depression: Acceptability, outcomes and helpful aspects in a multisite study. Counselling Psychology Review. 30(1): 6-20

Cassar, S. and P. Shinebourne (2012). “What does Spirituality Mean to You?: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Spirituality. Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 23(1): 133-148.

I believe people seek therapy because they want to make a change in their lives. This can be scary, but having felt overwhelmed and anxious at times myself, I hope to be able to offer a supportive, calm, safe environment for you to explore your issues and work towards the best solution for you.

Hello and welcome to my page. I am a fully qualified, BACP registered Counsellor working with adults and young people from my therapy rooms in Watford and St Albans in Hertfordshre and via online video call, worldwide.

I am passionate about providing an inclusive, confidential, safe space for all clients regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality.

There are many different reasons that lead people to seek Counselling and your journey will be unique to you. You may be going through a difficult point in your life or finding it hard to cope or deal with past or present issues? You may be feeling confused, stuck or like you’re going around in circles and unable to move forward. Whatever your reason, we can work through it together and help you find a way forward.

I know things are difficult at the moment with Covid-19 so I’m here to help if you need support. If you’re interested please get in touch and let me know how I can help. I offer a friendly and confidential one-to-one counselling service supporting adults, young people, and children with a variety of issues using an integrative approach.

When counselling I use an integrative approach that encompasses different therapies such as person-centred, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapies, hypnotherapy, creative, and play therapy. I find this then gives clients a tool box of skills that they can use, rather than just one approach.

I will be empathic, honest, and non-judgemental during our sessions. As well as my private practice, I work for Respect For All who specialise in counselling adults and children with autism. I have previously worked as a school and college counsellor.

I am intuitive and highly spiritual which underpins the way I work. I consider myself to be a wounded healer; having had the lived experience of trauma and healing from it.  My lived experience as well as my professional qualifications helps facilitate your healing process.  I provide a safe healing space that enables you to explore your reality, perceptions, behaviors and thoughts so you can gain clarity, greater purpose and increased passion in your life.

As an intuitive counselor I work on a deep soul level with sensitive souls helping you to tap into your true power, remember who you truly are and recognize that being sensitive is not a weakness but an absolute strength.  By feeling and connecting with you our work together is always for your highest good.

By working with me your life will be transformed; assisting you on your awakening, ascension and journey to enlightenment enabling you to walk on your unique path, in flow, harmony, passion, abundance, empowerment and magic.

Welcome to my profile. My number one aim, passion and priority is to make a positive difference to your life. For me, counselling is a process that supports, empowers and facilitates well-being. A space that you can trust with no judgement or criticism for you to feel free to express and explore what’s important to you. I offer an empathic nurturing relationship so that you are supported to achieve your goals, whether it would be personal development and self-actualisation or to overcome distressing/traumatic events, thoughts or feelings. Attentively, I actively listen to you so I understand deeply, you and your lived experiences. I highly value your internal natural tendency for growth and development which is important to help resolve many issues such as depression and anxiety. Ultimately, I work in a way that is tailored and bespoke to you. Therefore my practice highly respects and welcomes your autonomy.

I suffer from a neuromuscular condition called SMA type II. I believe that my disability has allowed me to connect deeply with clients who have experienced injustice, judgment, and oppression in their lives. Also, to empathise with clients who have experience of being subjected to negative attitudes or stereotyping from others or society.

The most important thing to me is that you are comfortable when you are talking about personal and sensitive topics so that you are able to share without any felt consequences or regrets. If you feel that you would like to contact me to arrange a session then please do not hesitate to get in touch and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

I have full indemnity insurance and have a current valid DBS enhanced certificate. (Used to be known as CRB check)

I offer online counselling to children, young adults, adults and older adults.

I offer telephone counselling to children, young adults, adults and older adults.

I do not currently offer face to face counselling.

We are living in challenging times where fear, uncertainty and confusion are commonplace.

Many people I consult with are worried about not fitting in rather than what makes them unique and special. As well as what unites and connects them to others.

It’s easy to become used to over-relying on what others want from us, whilst losing sight of who we really are.

We’ve not been encouraged in many of our communities and establishments to practice self-inquiry and reflection. This is not good for personal autonomy or building courage or confidence to be ourselves.

It’s easy for us to lose touch with how we feel, and be vulnerable to manipulation by others. Perhaps because we are afraid of what others might think of us if we dare to express our differences.

Thankfully coming to counselling and coaching can be a way of learning to manage and cope with uncertainty and the fear of rejection. Helping us to get back in touch with what is important to us, and reconnect with our true feelings and senses.

From here we can grow both mentally and physically stronger and more confident of who we are, and what is right for us and our loved ones.

I always want my work to be first and foremost about being of service to others.

I’ve had an awareness for many years that much of the suffering and terrible things that happen in the world are fundamentally unnecessary and wrong. And that collectively we can help each other to grow stronger and more resourceful individuals and communities.

Self-development is not only an investment in ourselves, but it’s also an investment in society. In that, we are saying we are committed to becoming a better version of ourselves each day for the benefit of our community.

Maybe now is the perfect time to invest in yourself? More and more people are seeking to become more self-actualizing and to reach their true potential.

What would you like to understand better, react differently to, grow stronger in, or be more accepting of?

One of the ways we can do this is by, when possible, making use of the challenges and adversity we face in seeing them as opportunities to grow rather than negativity. Of course, this is not always easy, and we may need help along the way.

I have found through activities like ‘Wim Hof method’ cold therapy training, that doesn’t kill us can most definitely can make us stronger.

If we take sensible strategic risks and practice relaxing into our fight-flight responses, we can develop the resilience we need through gentle repetitive exposure to what we find challenging. This can help us to re-write our responses.

As well as reducing the need to over-rely on medication to function, which also risks putting harmful toxins into our bodies as well as having potentially negative side effects including addiction.

It’s far better to get back in touch with our true nature the way many of our ancestors were.

In 2011, I decided to have a career change and completed a 3 year long qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Since then I have trained in a range of techniques and models of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Person Centred Counselling, Addiction Therapy, and Couples Counselling and more. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, families, the elderly and disabled.
I have specialist training and experience in the treatment of people with issues of difference and diversity including cultural, faith and ethnicity related problems. 
I originally became a Therapist due to going through some difficult times myself and I firmly believe that this lived experience enables me to better understand and empathise with clients.
I will provide a space for you to give words to your thoughts and feelings, work on your character, and guide you to seek out a new version of yourself. Within therapy you can develop your autonomy and authenticity, and raise your self-esteem whilst remaining compassionately humble and true to your values. 

My approach is emotion and body focused, working to help bring awareness to what is happening for you on a somatic (body) level. We will also be exploring your past and how that has shaped you today. My aim is create a safe non-judgemental space where you get to explore your own thoughts and dilemmas, bringing awareness to your feelings and the thoughts that drive them.

Registered with the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists, my therapeutic approach is experiential and incorporates a range of styles and perspectives including Transpersonal Psychology, Family Systems Theory, Person Centered and AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy).

If this sounds like the therapeutic approach for you, I would love to help!! If you are interested but it sounds scary that’s ok too. I am here to help build a sense of safety for you and we can work together at your pace.

Note: Available to book here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s only.

Also, I am insured to work online internationally.

• Anxiety • Self Esteem • Depression • Relationship Difficulties
• Trauma • Burnout • Loneliness and more…

Do you feel you put the needs of others ahead of your own, feeling overwhelmed, guilty or unable to say no to others?
Maybe it has gotten to the point where you don’t even consider yourself, putting everyone else’s needs before your own. I can help you to grow in confidence, speak your mind and establish healthy boundaries.

Do you feel anxious and worry a lot?
Perhaps you feel suffocated, or berate yourself and wish life didn’t have to be so hard, or maybe worry about what everyone else thinks about you. I can help you understand where all these thoughts and feelings are coming from so you can begin to have more peace in your life.

Do you feel stuck in the same old patterns?
Together, we can figure out why you feel this way, uncover the roots of your struggle and learn how to do things differently.

Do you feel like you need a partner to feel validated and loved?
You might even dread being alone or fear that they might leave you, to the point where you feel like you’re losing yourself. With my support, with or without a partner, you can be content or confident in yourself.

Does any of the above sound like you? If so and my approach sounds like something you are interested in, I would love to help.

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Examples of my CPD (continuous professional development):
· AEDP Immersion Course Level 1 with the AEDP Institute
· AEDP Essential Skills Training Level 2
· Completed the Gottman Method Couples Therapy LEVEL 1 Certificate
· Introduction To Somatic Experiencing 12 hour workshop with SOS Internationale

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[email protected]

www.breedakennedycounselling.com