About Claudio Mendes
Psychotherapist in Banstead
Hello, I am Claudio.
I am an accredited psychotherapist and supervisor with over 18 years’ experience across NHS services, bereavement support, probation and multicultural counselling organisations.
Alongside my clinical work, I provide supervision to therapists, supporting their professional development and clinical practice.
I am accredited by the BABCP, BACP and IPT UK.
I offer therapy in person in Banstead and online across the UK, including sessions in Portuguese.
People often come to therapy when something in life feels difficult to carry alone, or when familiar ways of coping no longer seem to be working. They may have been managing for a long time before deciding to speak to someone.
You do not need to arrive with a clear story or the right words.
We can begin wherever you are. I aim to provide a calm, thoughtful space where you can talk openly about what is happening and begin to understand what may be behind it.
My way of working is calm, collaborative and structured. Some sessions may involve taking time to understand your experiences and emotional patterns; at other times, the focus may be more practical, such as making decisions, communicating with others or managing difficult situations in everyday life.
Professional Accreditation
Psychology Today
View my Psychology Today profile
My Therapeutic Approach
Starting therapy can feel daunting, particularly when you are unsure what to expect.
My approach is informed by psychoanalytic, interpersonal and cognitive behavioural approaches. These different perspectives help us think about both what is happening in your life now and the patterns that may have developed over time.
Therapy can involve looking at the thoughts, feelings and relationship patterns that shape how you respond to difficulties.
We may also consider how earlier experiences continue to influence the way you understand yourself, relate to others or cope with situations in the present.
At the same time, therapy does not need to remain focused on the past. Where helpful, we can work more directly with what is happening in your life now, including difficult decisions, communication, relationships and ways of managing situations between sessions.
The focus of therapy will depend on what brings you to therapy and what feels most useful to explore. We work collaboratively to develop a clearer understanding of what is happening and consider different ways of responding, at a pace that feels manageable for you.
What I Can Help With
People come to therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a clear problem; at other times,
something simply no longer feels manageable or familiar ways of coping have stopped working.
I work with adults experiencing a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties.
Anxiety & Stress
Chronic worry, panic, social anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or finding it difficult to switch off.
Life Changes & Transitions
Difficult periods of change, uncertainty, loss of direction, retirement, changes in work or circumstances, or adjusting to a new stage of life.
Relationship Difficulties & Disputes
Conflict, recurring disagreements, withdrawal, insecurity, difficulties expressing needs, or feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to change.
If you would like to discuss whether therapy could be helpful, get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.
Identity, Sexuality & Shame
Questions around identity, belonging, intimacy and self-esteem, including experiences of shame or internal conflict.
Trauma & Relational Trauma
The effects of distressing or overwhelming experiences, including longer-term experiences that continue to affect emotional wellbeing and relationships.
Grief & Loss
Bereavement, the end of a relationship, changes in health, or other significant losses and transitions.
Self-Esteem & Self-Criticism
Harsh self-judgement, persistent feelings of adequacy, shame, insecurity or patterns of avoidance.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
£85 per 50-minute session.
If the standard fee would be difficult for you, please feel free to ask about reduced-fee availability.
A limited number of spaces are available.
Insurance
I accept Bupa and other insurance referrals.
Please provide your pre-authorisation number before your first session.
Any policy excess must be paid at least 24 hours in advance.
Getting Started
Looking for a therapist can feel daunting, particularly when you are already dealing with something that feels difficult or stressful.
You do not need to know which therapeutic approach or modality is right for you before we meet. In my experience, people can feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the root causes of their current struggles, or what might be most helpful.
The first step is to arrange an initial consultation.
This gives us an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you are experiencing and what you would like to change or understand through therapy.
Part of the initial assessment is to understand what you are experiencing and what may be contributing to your difficulties. From this, I can make recommendations about the approach and type of therapy that may be most appropriate for you.
During the initial session, I will invite you to share some details about your current situation, significant life events, relationships and the changes you would like to make through therapy. We can begin to understand what may be contributing to your difficulties and outline what you would like to work towards.
My recommendations may include psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), depending on what you are experiencing and what may be most helpful. We can discuss this together and agree how we would like to proceed.
The initial session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of what it would be like to work with me. You may want to ask about how therapy works, my approach, the frequency of sessions, fees and payment, cancellations, or anything else that would help you feel informed.
Finding the right therapist is a personal choice. It is important to me that you feel comfortable talking to me and clear about what we agree to work on together.
Considering therapy?
If you are considering therapy and would like to discuss whether it might be helpful, you are welcome to get in touch.
