Lydia French

Overview

Dr Lydia French is a chartered psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist with more than twenty yearsexperience in adult mental health. Trained at the University of Oxford and Bristol Medical School, she combines psychodynamic practice with elements of CBT, depth psychology and attachment-based approaches to support long-term therapeutic change.

Dr French works with adults presenting with anxiety, low mood, trauma-related difficulties and relational distress. Her clinical work is informed by academic research at the University of Oxford and by specialist training in investigational MDMA-assisted therapy, which contributes to a careful, ethically informed approach to altered states and complex inner experience.

Best for

Dr French is best suited to adults seeking thoughtful, depth-oriented psychotherapy that attends to both past patterns and present relationships:

• People experiencing anxiety and persistent worry
• Those with low mood or depression
• Clients working with trauma-related difficulties, including PTSD
• Professionals or others who require a high degree of privacy and discretion

Approach

The primary modality is psychodynamic psychotherapy, which focuses on unconscious relational patterns and how these show up in the therapeutic relationship. This work emphasises exploration and gradual change over time, delivered at a pace that feels contained and sustainable.

Clinical practice also draws on cognitive-behavioural techniques and attachment-informed perspectives where helpful, providing pragmatic support alongside depth-oriented exploration. Training in Jungian and Freudian traditions further informs formulation and therapeutic listening.

Therapy is offered both online and in person. Dr French maintains a limited caseload to preserve continuity and depth, and places particular emphasis on containment, discretion and trust within the clinical relationship.

Education and Training

Dr French holds a PhD in Medicine, an MSt in Psychodynamic Practice, an MSc in Health Psychology and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. She has completed a Professional Certificate in Investigational MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD via MAPS International Therapist Training and holds multiple professional accreditations and memberships.

Support

Clinical work is carried out under professional supervision and in accordance with the standards of recognised regulatory bodies. Enquiries are read and responded to promptly, and where Dr French is not the right clinician for a prospective client she offers appropriate signposting and discussion of next steps.

The practice emphasises a confidential, carefully held therapeutic environment and provides ongoing clinical oversight to support safe, ethical care.

Practical details

Sessions are available online and in person by arrangement. The practice currently operates a waiting list; enquiries by phone or email are reviewed and prospective clients are informed about likely timeframes and options. Arrangements and appointment frequency are tailored to the individual clientand to the clinical needs identified during initial contact.

This description was generated based on information from the official website and other materials provided by the provider.