Millicent Darby

I offer private practice appointments between 4:30pm-6:30pm on Tuesdays-Fridays, with some flexibility outside of this. Limited availability from 8-9am.

One of the biggest myths in life is that we are meant to be happy. In reality: we have evolved to have a wide range of emotions that promote our survival. The more we wish to rid ourselves of unwanted emotions, the more we struggle.

My aim is to support you to be compassionate to yourself: understand that the nature of life and being human is hard, and that we each have complex histories that have led to self protective behaviours. However, these patterns of avoidance can often interfere with us being able to live our best and most meaningful lives. Likewise, we often tell ourselves stories about who we are and what the world is like, which may or may not be truthful or helpful. These stories bring us away from the present moment: the only time we really have any control. 

While it is impossible to guarantee happiness, I hope to support you to gain meaning in your day-to-day life, free yourself from avoidance, and be open to a range of emotional experiences.

As a therapist, I come to you as another human being with my own thoughts, feelings and limitations. I carry my personality with me in my practice: my down to earth nature, gentleness and ability to both nurture and laugh. I aim to create genuine relationships,  allowing us to notice problem behaviours as they arise, and form new, more helpful ways of relating to others in the moment. My approach is often creative, active and experiential. 

I am an Integrative CBT therapist. My practice involves a blend of third wave behavioural therapies (a newer form of CBT) including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). I also draw on principles from gestalt therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy, amongst others. Rather than being bound by one modality, I prefer to work fluidly with you, and bring whatever approach is most helpful. 

Outside of private practice, I work with university students, however I have experience working with all ages from childhood to late adulthood. 

Our first session together is an opportunity to get to know one another: it is helpful for me to begin to get an idea of your life and the problems that have motivated you to seek help, and for you to begin to get a feel for me and the way that I work. 

I am available to meet online and face to face in Greenwich - https://thepracticerooms.co.uk/room-rental/centres/london-greenwich

I am able to speak to offer ten minute introductory phone calls free of charge. 

Tiered fees: 

Online:  

£50 concession/low waged clients (limited)

£60 regular fee

£70 high earner

Face to face: flat fee of £75 - this price is higher due to room costs.