Private Psychotherapy with Dr Gwen Adshead
Consultant Psychiatrist in Berkshire Book Your Psychotherapy AssessmentOne of The UKs Most Experienced Psychotherapists
Understanding Yourself Through Private Psychotherapy
Reflective, compassionate therapy for adults seeking clarity, connection, and change
Dr Gwen Adshead offers private psychotherapy for adults who want to understand themselves more deeply and make sense of emotional or behavioural patterns that cause distress.
Her reflective, compassionate approach provides a safe, confidential space to explore life’s difficulties, whether in relationships, work, or one’s inner world.
Working with Dr Adshead means engaging in thoughtful, collaborative dialogue designed to foster self-knowledge and lasting change.
“Psychotherapy is not about fixing what is broken, but understanding what has been wounded – and learning how to heal.””
About Dr Gwen Adshead
An Eminent Psychiatrist Offering Private Psychotherapy in West Berkshire
Dr Adshead is a consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author with more than 30 years of clinical experience in the NHS. She has worked in secure and community settings, helping adults explore complex emotions, trauma, and moral dilemmas with care and clarity.
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading voices in psychiatry and psychotherapy, Dr Adshead has been a BBC Reith Lecturer, Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and Visiting Professor at both Gresham College and Yale University.
This is private psychotherapy for those who want more than symptom management. It’s an opportunity to understand the mind and build emotional resilience.
Why Choose Private Psychotherapy at Total Health West Berkshire?
Expert, Personalised Care From One of the UK’s Leading Psychotherapists
At Total Health West Berkshire, clients benefit from private psychotherapy that combines medical understanding with human compassion.
Dr Adshead offers a rare level of expertise, blending psychiatric training with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and analytical methods.
Choosing therapy with Gwen provides:
- Time and space for genuine reflection
- A non-judgemental, confidential environment
- Guidance from a clinician with international recognition
- Support that integrates emotion, thought, and meaning
Who Can Benefit From Psychotherapy?
Support For Adults (21+) Facing Emotional or Relational Difficulties
Psychotherapy with Dr Adshead is suitable for adults seeking to explore and change unhelpful life patterns.
You might benefit if you experience:
Feeling stuck in recurring emotional or relational struggles
The lasting impact of trauma, loss, or early-life challenges
Curiosity about the motives behind harmful or self-defeating behaviours
Questions about empathy, morality, or personal responsibility
You don’t need a diagnosis to attend, only openness to explore how past experiences shape the present.
This service is not suitable for individuals under 21, those in acute mental-health crisis, or anyone needing medication management.
How Psychotherapy Works
Private Psychotherapy Sessions and Fees at Total Health West Berkshire
Each course begins with an initial consultation to discuss your concerns, history, and goals.
From there, Dr Adshead may recommend up to six individual sessions of private psychotherapy, focused on reflection, understanding, and practical change.
1. Initial Consultation
One 60-minute meeting - £400
2. Follow-Up Sessions
Individual psychotherapy - £210 each
3. Typical Course
4. Further / Long-Term Work
As advised
Dr Adshead’s Therapeutic Approach
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Reflective Practice in Psychotherapy
Dr Adshead’s approach combines mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), psychodynamic reflection, and ethical awareness.
She encourages clients to notice patterns of thought and emotion, fostering understanding rather than judgement.
Her therapeutic technique is gentle, yet rigorous – grounded in psychiatry, informed by philosophy, and deeply human.
This balance of her medical knowledge and moral insight sets Gwen’s work apart from conventional therapy.
“When we listen with compassion, we don’t excuse what’s been done – we try to understand why it happened, and what healing might still be possible.”
Dr Gwen Adshead
Benefits of Private Psychotherapy
Private psychotherapy can help you:
Develop deeper self-understanding
Recognise and change destructive relational patterns
Find greater emotional balance and resilience
Reconnect with values, purpose, and meaning
Over time, clients often report improved relationships, reduced inner conflict, and a renewed sense of coherence in their lives.
Booking an Appointment
Arrange Your Private Psychotherapy Consultation in Berkshire
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Call us: 01635 791 301
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect in my first psychotherapy session?
The first session is an assessment where Dr Adshead will listen carefully to your concerns, explore what brings you to therapy, and discuss whether short-term or longer-term work might suit you best.
Can psychotherapy help with anxiety or depression?
Yes. Psychotherapy can help people understand the underlying causes of anxiety or depression, not just the symptoms. It supports lasting emotional and behavioural change.
How is this psychotherapy different from CBT or counselling?
Is there a waiting list for private psychotherapy?
Availability can vary, but private appointments are usually offered much sooner than NHS services. You can enquire for current availability.
Is this service confidential?
Yes – all sessions follow professional ethical and confidentiality standards.
Can Dr Adshead prescribe medication?
What if I’m in crisis or feeling unsafe?
Private psychotherapy is not appropriate for acute risk situations. Please contact your GP, local crisis team, or emergency services immediately if you need urgent help.
Your Experienced Psychiatrist
Dr Gwen Adshead
Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Author
I am Dr Gwen Adshead, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience working in NHS mental health services. My clinical work has focused on helping adults who feel lost, stuck, or in need of time and space to reflect on challenges in their personal or professional lives.
I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) as a group therapist. Alongside group work, I offer individual psychotherapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to support people in understanding patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour that may be causing distress.
After an initial assessment consultation, I typically offer up to six individual psychotherapy sessions to help clients explore what is happening for them and to identify possible next steps. Where longer-term therapy or specialist input is indicated, I can provide recommendations and onward referral.
My practice is designed for adults aged 21 and over who wish to develop greater self-awareness and emotional insight. It is not suitable for individuals in acute crisis or those at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others.
I do not prescribe medication as part of this service but can work collaboratively with other medical professionals where appropriate.