Miriam Christie

Welcome to my website.

If you are looking for heartfelt therapy to help you to overcome difficulties in your life, you are in the right place. Feel free to get in touch.

My particular expertise is in:

Anxiety

Career Change

Depression

Grief

Infertility

Life crises and transitions

Postnatal mental health

Pregnancy

I am an integrative psychotherapist (MA, MBACP Accred., NCPS Prof. Accred.), providing heartfelt therapy in private practice in South Norwood and online. I also work as a Fertility Counsellor for AccessCounselling.co.uk

The aims of therapy are always client-led and my emphasis is on creating an empathic, safe space for you to nurture self-awareness, explore, resolve or reconcile with troubling or distressing feelings and experiences.

My way of working is based on the belief that our early relationships shape how we see ourselves and others. I also believe that people have the capacity to grow and heal when they feel understood and supported. In our sessions, I aim to offer empathy, honesty, and a non-judgemental space, so you can explore your experiences safely and at your own pace.

I work in a holistic way to honour mind and body connection. I am a qualified yoga teacher and, where appropriate, I integrate techniques, including breathwork and guided meditation, to help clients manage symptoms, such as heightened anxiety or panic attacks, and create a space where clients feel they can explore their body's cues safely. These techniques can also help to provide people with the space and mind-body connection that helps catalyse deeper self-exploration and discovery in talking therapy.

I have particular expertise in working with people experiencing perinatal mental health issues, fertility issues, depression, anxiety and somatic distress. However, where I feel I can have positive impact, I am open to working with anyone who is experiencing difficulties.

I have a Masters in Integrative Counselling from Leeds Beckett University. I hold an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling from CPPD, one of the leading Humanistic Integrative counselling training schools in the UK. I have a Certificate in Integrative Humanistic Counselling from the Gestalt Centre, London's leading institute for counselling and psychotherapy based on Gestalt principles. I hold a level three diploma in yoga and in pre- and postnatal fitness. I have undertaken numerous CPD trainings, including a certificate in Ecotherapy, and in PTSD and Trauma.

I am a Professional Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a Registered Member of BICA, The Professional Infertility Counselling Association, and I abide by their ethics, standards and practices.

I am a qualified journalist and worked in journalism and communications prior to retraining. I now write, provide talks and workshops on mental health related subjects.

“The curious paradox is when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers

Psychotherapy

I provide wholehearted therapy in South Norwood in South East London and online.

The relationship that is formed with a therapist may feel very different to other relationships. It is a confidential environment, held for you, in which there is no right or wrong and where no judgments are made.

Therapy sessions take place weekly and last for 50 minutes. I tend to work within an open-ended model of therapy, which enables clients to go at their own pace and reach a deeper level of healing and self-growth.

I tend to resonate best with people experiencing anxiety, depression, feeling stuck or navigating change. I have particular expertise and interest in working with people experiencing perinatal mental health issues and fertility issues. However, I am open to working with anyone who feels that my way of working would be of benefit to them.

Fertility Counselling

I am a Fertility Counsellor for Access Counselling and in private practice.

I provide ongoing support sessions and Implications Counselling sessions for donor recipients, donors, surrogates and intended parents.

I have lived experience of ‘unexplained’, sometimes termed ‘idiopathic’, infertility and I know what a rollercoaster of emotions it can be. I firmly believe that fertility counselling is an area in which people require specialised therapeutic support.

The medicalised world of infertility presents you with an encyclopedia worth terms and acronyms, so it can be a huge relief to be able to talk openly with a therapist without having to first educate them about diagnoses and treatment terms.

As your therapist, I understand the various medical interventions and pathways to becoming a parent in order to properly be able to support you. I am also be able to inform you of and help you to understand the laws and policies governing treatments, including donor conception and surrogacy, for example.

You can come to me for:

Counselling support through the fertility journey
Implications Counselling for donor recipients (single, same sex couples and heterosexual couples)
Implications Counselling for donors (sperm or egg)
Implications Counselling for intended parents through surrogacy
Implications Counselling for surrogates

Groups and Workshops

Your Write Mind! Process Groups with a difference

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in words as a journalist, copywriter and communications consultant. Writing has stayed with me from childhood to middle-age as a constant source of self-exploration, self-expression and comfort. I love to share that with others, bringing together cosy ongoing groups and larger one-off workshops.

I facilitate online therapeutic writing groups. Sometimes these are closed groups offering therapists their own safe space to reflect and connect. Other groups are open to anyone who feels they could benefit from therapeutic writing in a gentle, nurturing group.

Weaving my yoga background with psychotherapeutic expertise, I also lead guided, reflective meditation groups and workshops from time to time.

Current Offerings

Monthly Therapeutic Writing Group for Therapists and Trainees

Every fourth Friday of the month at 12-1.30pm, starting on Friday 24 April. Groups will continue monthly until October, with a break for August.

Six sessions of self-exploration, self-expression and connection over six months. I welcome up to six members per group, to allow for cosy connection, time to share, listen and wonder out-loud.

What to expect: A friendly space where you can do brave inner work at a gentle pace. Each session will offer a gentle check-in and introduction and is divided into two guided writing practices. Between writing time, we come together to share and discuss what has come up (if you want to).

Sessions cost £35, with the expectation that you will commit to the group for six months (although I know life gets in the way sometimes). Missed sessions must be paid for, but you will still receive all resources and prompts from the session.

Introduction to Therapeutic Writing

If you would like a taster of the power and process of therapeutic writing for personal development and client work, my two-hour introduction with Online Events on Thursday 19 March at 1–3pm is for you.

This is a pay-what-you-can event and you can book directly with Onlinevents.co.uk.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any groups or workshops in further detail.

Writing

I write about mental health issues for mental health platforms, national media and periodicals.

I have limited capacity currently. However, I always welcome and consider relevant commissions. Please feel free to get in touch.

You can find a selection of my articles here.

My recent portfolio
What is Integrative Therapy?
When IVF Doesn't Work: Processing Feelings of Grief
Meet The Therapist: Miriam Christie
From PR To Mental Health
Do you have Tokophobia? We investigate the extreme fear of pregnancy and birth

Private Practice Fees

Psychotherapy per 50 min session - £80

Fertility Counselling per 50 min session - £80

Implications Counselling per 90min session - including report and any liaison you would like me to undertake with your clinic - £160

There is a 48 hour cancellation policy, after which all missed and cancelled sessions are chargeable in full. Fees are subject to review. In some circumstances, temporary or extended concessions are possible.

Contact Me

I practice in South Norwood, SE25, and online.

Please feel free to email me on ms.miriam.christie@gmail.com

Counselling & Therapy