About Me

Tahir B. Gulkaya BA MSc (UKCP Registered)

I am a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (UKCP Reg), and a professional member of the Association for Group and Individual Psychotherapy (AGIP). I work in private practice from my consulting office in St. Paul’s.

In my practice, I work in a way that gives patients the space to speak freely and to express what they’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing, in a completely confidential setting. The therapeutic alliance encourages the exploration of the self by focusing on the unconscious mind. The therapist-patient relationship is at the core of the therapeutic experience. Sessions are led by the patient’s ‘free association’, which simply means that, whatever you bring to a particular session, is what we work with. You might bring a memory, a feeling or a passing thought, continue our discussion from a previous session, or bring something new; it is entirely up to you. Understanding our past and how it has impacted us emotionally, can help us to understand our current thoughts and feelings. There is never too much, or too little to say.

I have experience in supporting people who have encountered severe trauma, discrimination, marginalisation, and sexual and physical abuse. I have a strong appreciation for racial differences and vast experience working with people from different cultural backgrounds. I firmly believe that everyone is unique and brings beauty and richness to this world. 

 I have worked with people who have experienced the following: 

Trauma

Abuse

Neglect

Mood swings

Depression

Anxiety

Addiction

Eating disorders

Cultural identity

Loss & bereavement

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Anger

Work-related problems

Stress

Phobias.

I have also worked psychoanalytically in a forensic hospital, with patients who have personality disorder diagnoses. I worked within the MBT (mentalisation-based treatment) format, which is heavily influenced by Attachment Theory, and the various other attachment-focused therapies. MBT has proved to be effective with the following personality disorders:

  • Borderline PD

  • Histrionic PD 

  • Narcissistic PD

  • Antisocial PD

  • Avoidant PD

 

I received an MSc in Psychoanalysis from the University of Middlesex. My research focused on World War One trauma and masculinity, and the impact of nightmares and flashbacks on returning soldiers. 

Please feel free to email me for a confidential discussion, and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.