Who I am
My name is Francine Habib and I'm a fully accredited Chartered Counselling Psychologist with 10 years post-qualification experience offering private psychological therapy in London and online. I am passionate about working with clients to improve their lives by providing a safe, confidential and non-judgmental therapeutic space in which to work through difficult life-events or experiences.
I work with people of all ages and backgrounds and am trained to deal with a range of mental health issues. I offer effective, tailor-made approaches for managing your difficulties and provide a confidential and quick access service with appointments within 48 hours.
While we can't change difficult situations, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we can identify and change unhelpful behaviour patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more meaningful life.
I will be honest with you, non-judgmental and supportive. I believe the therapeutic relationship is essential in facilitating psychological change and aim to provide a safe and compassionate environment for my clients. If you are looking for support and guidance through a challenging situation or you are just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Please contact me for an individual or couples consultation today.
My Way of Working
Influenced by Positive Psychology, I usually focus on the here-and-now, and on the therapeutic relationship to foster increased agency in my clients through collaborative work. Psychology and Psychiatry are traditionally focused on the negative; on dysfunction, mental illness, trauma, suffering, and pain. Positive psychology, developed since the 1970s, was not established to replace traditional psychology, but to complement it with a positive bias that balances psychology’s negative bias. Positive psychology focuses on character strengths, optimism, well-being, gratitude, compassion, self-esteem, self-confidence and hope. For example, a relatively small change in one’s perspective can lead to astounding shifts in understanding, well-being and quality of life.
I draw upon a range of psychological approaches which include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Person Centred Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy. I believe it is important to shift away from syndrome-based diagnosis and protocols toward transdiagnostic processes; the core processes of change. I ask myself, 'which biopsychosocial processes should be targeted with a client given their goal in this specific circumstance?'
I also make use of mindfulness and mentalisation-based interventions. I have a keen interest in how self-esteem and empowerment can be developed through skill building, then used to reduce anxiety and increase personal well-being. My aim is to provide support and practical feedback to help people effectively address life challenges. Discover more about change
Experience
I have worked within the NHS primary care mental health services as well as in the private sector. My clinical experience includes working with people who present with a range of mental health difficulties. This includes depression, anxiety, social anxiety, panic, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, relationship distress, perfectionism, sleep difficulties, anger, emotional dysregulation, phobias, eating disorders, body image problems.
I have experience in offering short and longer term individual therapy, as well as working with couples. I am trained in multiple models of evidence-based psychological therapy and enjoy working creatively with clients to tailor individualized interventions that meet their needs.
Qualifications
Certifications
I am a chartered Counselling Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council. I completed my Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Counselling Psychology at London Metropolitan University, a BSc (hons) Psychology through the Open University, an Advanced Certificate in Executive Coaching through HumanTechnics (Accredited at Masters level by Bristol Business School) and a BA (hons) in French and Business Studies at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.
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HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist: PYL26303
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Chartered Member of BPS: 221228
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Fully insured for professional practice.

