Lucy McDonald MSc BA (Hons) MBACP (Accred.) 

 
 Qualifications And Experience

Lucy’s clinical training was at Birkbeck College, University of London, where  she obtained a Master of Science Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy,  with Distinction.  She is fully accredited by the British Association of  Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adheres to their code of ethics.
 
Alongside her Private Practice, Lucy has worked extensively with students, starting out as a counsellor at  King’s College London where she stayed for a number of years. More  recently, Lucy worked as a counsellor at the London School of Economics and also set up and ran a Student Counselling Service at a Drama School in West London. She now works part-time as a counsellor and supervisor at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Lucy has also worked in an NHS Specialist Secondary Care Psychotherapy Unit, where many of the patients are isolated and show traits of Borderline Personality Disorder.  
 
The approach Lucy uses investigates how we interact with each other and  the ways in which our patterns of behaviour are informed by earlier  relationships and key events. Lucy also focuses on the family dynamics we  grew up with, especially in terms of the unconscious roles we may have  taken up (e.g. what labels were we given and still hold on to?).  All of these aspects contribute to our own sense of who we are and by revisiting and exploring these, a more positive sense of self can be shaped. 
 
Lucy’s many years of experience encompasses helping people with a wide range of disturbances, from anxiety and depression, to bereavement, abuse, sexual identity, relationship issues and work-related struggles to name but a few. Her previous career was in a business setting and her understanding of working in an office environment (where many people spend the majority of their lives) makes her uniquely well positioned to help with work-based dynamics and associated problems. She has worked with clients from many ethnic and cultural backgrounds and recognises the importance of embracing aspects of difference and working with it.  Prior to that, Lucy trained and worked as an actor.

Lucy's private practice is based in SE London.