Paula John, Psychologist & Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Dipl.-Psych., MBACP and GMBPsS
“Together, we will uncover the hidden meanings behind your feelings and behaviours, empowering you to embrace change and growth with compassion and self-awareness.”
Paula John is a highly experienced Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Psychologist with over 14 years of dedicated service within the National Health Service (NHS). She specialises in the psychodynamic approach, which is based on the principles of psychoanalysis, and provides expert therapeutic support to individuals addressing a wide range of emotional difficulties and/or mental health conditions with compassion and professionalism.
“I offer weekly and twice weekly psychotherapy sessions which last 50 minutes each and take place at the same time every week. In these sessions, I offer a safe and reliable space for us to work together on making sense of the difficulties in your life and the patterns that might be hindering your development. Part of this work involves understanding how past experiences have shaped how you feel about yourself and others today, which subsequently provides an opportunity for change.”
Paula is a certified psychologist with a German psychology degree (Dipl.-Psych.), specialising in clinical psychology. She completed her psychotherapy training at the renowned Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London, a world-leading institution in psychotherapy and mental health education. Paula has worked as a psychotherapist in a range of different settings, including an NHS Adult Complex Needs Service. She currently holds a position at the Adult Psychotherapy Department at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
Paula has contributed valuable insights to the field of mental health and psychoanalysis through her publications (e.g., in the British Journal of Psychiatry 2016), exploring key topics such as clinical best practice, ADHD from a psychoanalytic point of view and the concept of feeling valued in a clinical setting.
Her approach is deeply rooted in evidence-based methodologies, ensuring her practice is informed by the latest developments in psychological theory and clinical research.
Some issues she works are:
- Relationship difficulties
- PTSD/Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bereavement
- Psychosomatic symptoms (medically unexplained symptoms)
- Issues around sexuality
- Self-esteem problems
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Work-related stress or burnout
Known for her dedication to fostering mental health and her exceptional clinical skills, she is committed to empowering individuals through accessible, transformative care. She also offers psychotherapy in German, catering to a broader range of clients.
Accreditations and Memberships:
Publications and Articles:
McCabe, R., John, P. et al. (2016). Training to Enhance Psychiatrist Communication with Patients with Psychosis (TEMPO): Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 209 (6) p. 517-524. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27445354/
John, P, Khanom, H. et al. (2015). How to value patients with psychosis: An inductive study of psychiatrists’ behaviour in routine consultations. Communication & Medicine, 12 (1), p. 55-69. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29115793/
Paula’s earlier publications were published in Germany and under her maiden name Hermann. They are available in hardcover.
The first one is an article in the journal of analytic children and adolescent psychotherapy (‘Analytische Kinder- und Jugendlcihen-Psychotherapie’).
Hermann, P.*, Leuschner, W., Benavides-Piaggio, C. (2012). Wenn die Zauberfee kommt eine Studie zu den Vorstellungen kleiner Kinder von Schlaf (trans.: When the fairy comes: a study on children’s conceptualization of sleep). Analytische Kinder- und Jugendlichen Psychotherapie (trans.: Analytic children and adolescent psychotherapy). 154: p 207 – 229.
For the second publication in German, Paula was the co-author of a chapter in a psychoanalytic book on early prevention in ADHD.
Leuzinger-Bohleber M, Brandl Y, Hermann P*. et al. (2006). Die Frankfurter Praeventionsstudie. Zur psychischen und psychosozialen Integration von verhaltensauffaelligen Kindern, insbesondere von ADHS (The Frankfurt Prevention Study. On psychological and psychosocial integration of children with behavioural problems, especially ADHD). In Leuzinger-Bohleber M et al (eds.). (ADHS – Fruehpraevention statt Medikalisierung. (ADHD – early prevention instead of medicalisation). Goettingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. p 238 – 270. https://www.amazon.de/Schriften-Sigmund-Freud-Instituts-Fr%C3%BChpr%C3%A4vention-Medikalisierung-interdisziplin%C3%A4ren/dp/3525451784
HARVEST THERAPY
44 Russell Square,
London WC1B 4JP
United Kingdom
Phone Number:
020 8962 6247
email: info@harvest-therapy.co.uk
