Before growth comes healing.
Choosing to start therapy is an investment in your mental and emotional wellbeing.
My aim is to equip you with the tools and insights so that you will continue to thrive long after our work together has come to an end.
Using evidence-based techniques, you will be supported in reconnecting with your sense of resilience, and self-worth as well as in creating healthier relationships with yourself and others.
To help you get started on your journey, book your free 15-minute consultation to explore how we can work together to achieve your goals.
Testimonials and Services
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“If someone said to me a year ago that I would be in a better place, I would not have believed it. I am in a better mind and soul place, I feel so much safer and calmer… Right from day one you made me feel at ease. Thank you for listening and helping me understand myself better.”
“I want to thank you wholeheartedly for allowing me to work through my therapeutic journey with you. I was very apprehensive and somewhat sceptical prior to the first meeting. After our first meeting however I felt lighter in myself and thought that this could possibly be the start of a change for us. I want to thank you for all your understanding and support, I will miss our sessions.”
“You know it’s not easy for anyone to talk about what’s going on in their head but you gradually opened my mind to see that it’s imperative to talk about it, and regularly. You helped me understand the cycles and patterns that have consumed me for so long and showed me the tools I need to work my way out of them & how to recognise them if a pattern was to start again. You have helped me beyond words to regain some control over my crazy life.”
“Whilst I might not have many words to say here and now, I want you to know how so incredibly grateful I am to you and will be for the rest of my life.”
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Addictions
Abuse (sexual, physical and emotional abuse)
Anger
Anxiety & depression
Bipolar
Boarding school syndrome
Burnout/stress
Chronic pain
Childhood trauma
Complex PTSD
Dissociation
Disability
Eating disorders
Family estrangement
Fibromyalgia
Immigration & integration
LGBTQ+ issues
Life transitions
Loneliness
Menopause
Neuro-diversity
Perfectionism
Personality disorders
Race/cultural related issues
Relationship breakdowns
Self esteem issues
Self harm
Shame
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Sessions are held online.
60-minute sessions are charged from £120
45-minute sessions are charged from £100
I offer a free 15 minute phone/video call for us to explore how we can work together to achieve your therapy goals.
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I am a registered healthcare provider for major health insurance companies including AXA, Aviva, Bupa, Cigna, Vitality Health and WPA.
Please note that fee schedules vary between insurance providers; please confirm the applicable rate with me before starting sessions.
Therapeutic approach
Hello! I’m Dr Jennifer Mbanu, and I am an accredited Clinical Psychologist with experience in the NHS, non profit and private sectors.
I offer compassionate, trauma-informed and culturally competent therapy for personal growth and healing. I have often found that understanding people’s diagnoses and symptoms as responses to what they have lived through is valuable in helping them shed the self-blame they may carry. Simply put, we are who we are because of the things that have happened to us. These might be one-off traumatic events or repeated relational traumas that have affected the ways in which we have learned to relate to ourselves and other people. Often, people find themselves stuck in cycles of behaviour that no longer serve them, yet feel at a loss for how to make meaningful change. This is not unusual; it is often difficult to be any different when how we are currently is all we’ve ever known!
Using a range of evidence-based psychological models such as Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, we will work together to understand how your current behaviours came about, the purpose they might have previously served, and the ways in which they’re now keeping you from reaching your full potential. From there, we’ll work together to identify more helpful ways to relate to yourself and others, supporting you as you move forward.
Additionally, as a first-generation immigrant, I have first-hand experience adapting to a new culture while honouring my heritage. Navigating the challenges of finding my place and understanding what it means to belong has shaped my perspective in meaningful ways. This journey has instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and openness, which I bring to my work. My practice is affirming and inclusive, celebrating all identities and expressions. You are encouraged to bring all parts of yourself to our work together!
Contact
Choosing to start therapy is an investment into your mental and emotional wellbeing. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about services on offer, please get in touch.
I look forward to supporting you in your journey towards a transformative, long lasting change.
Credentials
I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Exeter and I’m fully accredited as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC; registration number: PYL044817). My training encompasses a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic models, and I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan, supporting people with diverse presentations and complex needs. I also hold a First Class Honours degree in Psychology with Clinical Psychology from the University of Kent.
As part of my doctoral training, I completed foundation-level training in both Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Systemic Family Therapy. Alongside my private practice, I have eight years of experience within the NHS, half of which was in mental health research.
I adhere to the British Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and hold a valid enhanced DBS clearance. Additionally, I am recognised by WPA, AXA, Cigna, Vitality, and Aviva health insurance providers.
Publications:
Doctoral thesis: Mbanu, J., Smart, C., Moberly, N. (2024). A Picture of Wellness: Comparing the Effects of Mindful Photography in Nature to Guided Meditation in Nature on Psychological Wellbeing – A Mixed Methods Study. https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/137056
Xanthopoulou, P. D., Mbanu, J., Chevalier, A., Webber, M., & Giacco, D. (2022). Social isolation and psychosis: perspectives from people with psychosis, family caregivers and mental health professionals. Community Mental Health Journal, 58(7), 1338–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-022-00941-x
Mbanu, J. (2020). Understanding how patients with psychosis would prefer to be contacted about research. Psychosis, 13, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2020.1798490