Selena Doggett-Jones

Most people have anxieties about relationships, intimacy or sexual difficulties at some time in their lives.  Relationship and psychosexual therapy offers individuals and couples the opportunity to discuss their concerns with a therapist specially trained in this area of work in a safe, supportive and confidential environment. Relationship therapy can also be supporting clients to end a relationship that is no longer working. I have worked for many years as a clinical nurse specialist in sexual and reproductive health and as a psychosexual and  relationship therapist within the NHS and privately.
Until the service closed in June 2017 I was the manager and service provider for the psychosexual service for Whittington Health NHS Foundation Trust.  I now have a private practice in Highgate, North London and online via Zoom.

I see a varied client group for short and longer term therapy.  I work with diverse gender and agender identities, sexual orientations, cultures, religious beliefs, and social backgrounds, those with long term health problems and physical disabilities.  I see both individuals and couples.

I am happy for you to contact me by email or phone. You can also look at my website http://www.highgatetherapy.co.uk.  Some of the problems I work with are:

Relationship difficulties around arguments and communication
Painful sex
Problems with getting or maintaining erections
Premature or delayed ejaculation
Loss of interest or enjoyment in sex
Relationship endings
Difficulty in reaching climax
Problems associated with menopause
Sexual trauma
Concerns about sexual fantasies or practises or those of your partner(s)
Sexual problems related to disability, chronic disease, accidental trauma, surgery, cancer treatment and skin conditions
Relationship and sexual issues related to terminal illness
Sexually transmitted infections
Infertility and miscarriage
Bereavement

Conflict and/or fear of pregnancy
Gender and sexuality concerns
Cultural and religious influences
Lack of knowledge about sex
Kink friendly
Relationship and psychosexual therapy is a talking only therapy but you may be asked to practise some helpful practical techniques in the privacy of your own home.  Sessions are usually weekly and the number of session required is variable and influenced by the pace at which the client feels comfortable to work.  Therapy can be short or long term and open to review at any time.

Supervision

I have supervised NHS doctors, nurses and health advisors and also therapists in private practice.  My area of expertise is in relationship and psychosexual therapy and I take an integrative approach.   I am happy to do one off consultations for therapists and students seeking help to support a client wishing to bring sex into the therapy room which, therapists not trained in this area might find challenging.  I also offer coaching for therapists new to private practice.

I have been a trainer for the Relate Professional Certificate in Psychosexual Therapy, and trainer/supervisor  for Tavistock Relationships ‘Couple Therapy for Depression’ IAPT course.

I see supervision as an opportunity for the therapist/clinician to reflect on their practice and examine their rationale for any interventions.  It is also about looking at transference and counter transference and how this might contribute positively  or compromise the work.  It is useful to look at parallel process in the supervision session when it arises.  Supervision is about protecting and supporting the therapist to guard against ‘burn out’ and together being mindful of ethical issues and how to manage the work load.  It is also about protecting the client and being curious about how the therapist’s personal life may be impacting on the therapeutic process.

I regard supervision as a partnership and expect the people I supervise to prepare for sessions so that they can get the most out of them.  I want them to feel comfortable and to feel able to reflect and assess the process so that we can look together at being creative and flexible in order to meet their supervision needs.

Consultancy and Training

I have run workshops for young women for Breast Cancer Care, looking at the challenges to intimacy post surgery.  I recently spent five years as a professional development tutor at University College London Medical School.  I have run ‘The Healing Voice’ workshop for NHS clinical staff and presentations for Hospice staff on ‘sexuality and intimacy in the terminally ill’.  I have also been the nurse lead for the continuing professional development training mornings within a large NHS sexual health service.

Information on these workshops is available on request.  I can also develop workshops and training sessions according to client needs. Please contact me by phone or email if you would like further information on either supervision, training or consultancy.