Paul Christelis
Psychotherapy, counselling & supervision
I’m Paul, and I’ve been a psychotherapist for the past 30 years.
Living in London, Working with people locally and internationally
As a child I grew up in a secure home, within a divided country (South Africa). My nature was also divided: on the one hand I was easy going and socially extravert, whilst also deeply at home in my internal world and with observing people and events from a distance. Realising that I was gay in a largely homophobic society created even more internal conflict, which I dealt with by retreating further into my private space. As I’ve grown older, these parts of myself have become more integrated, bringing an abiding sense of serenity and self acceptance.
I’m sharing this here because I believe we are all seeking to integrate disparate and wounded parts of ourselves in a quest for internal peace. It’s what the world is seeking too. Psychotherapy opens a space in which this integration becomes possible, where we can thrive and transcend our internal splits and conflicts. If we heal these wounds, gradually the world heals of its own accord.
I have lived with anxiety, low self esteem, and insecurity; with the struggles that we all experience in our own ways. But the process of my own personal therapy, as well as an energetic and spiritual ‘waking-up’ in my early twenties, has also opened me to what lies beyond these struggles: a sense of being truly, fundamentally okay in myself, and in the world, regardless of the my past conditioning or current life situation.
When I’m not working as a therapist I’m probably getting enrichment through the arts, meditating, running and writing. I have experience working with plant medicines and psychedelics and have helped clients to integrate such experiences. Increasingly, I spend time in satsang, immersing myself in non-dualistic teachings.
How I Work
My approach to therapy
is integrative, relational and collaborative, meaning that I draw upon and bring together several philosophies and methods, with the therapeutic relationship always at the heart of the process. Humanistic, transpersonal, psychodynamic, Jungian, Internal Family Systems (IFS), gestalt, mindfulness, non-duality, body and energy psychotherapy are the core modalities I have trained in and practise.
I believe different approaches work for different people so together we will find out what’s best for you.
Sometimes we are archeologists, scouring the past in order to make sense of the present.
Sometimes we are working with the body to safely dislodge frozen trauma and addictive patterning.
Sometimes we are peeking into the shadowy parts of ourselves and, by exposing them to light, befriending and transforming them.
Sometimes we are simply acknowledging what it feels like to be human.
Sometimes our illusions and identifications fall away and we know ourselves as we truly are.
Sometimes we surrender to the mystery of it all.
At the heart of it though, is our working relationship. If that feels safe and comfortable then what needs to happen will happen.
I work with a diverse range of people and feel privileged to help facilitate change, transformation and healing in my clients.
It goes without saying that I am LGBTQI+ affirmative!
Therapy can often feel like hard work, and it does require commitment. But it can also be enjoyable and playful. Sometimes, the most transformative moments in a session happen in laughter, when the inner child feels safe enough to express itself freely and spontaneously.
For more information, and to get a feel for how we might work together, I offer a free of charge introductory call and/or session.
Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications
Professional Qualifications
- MA Clinical Psychology, University of Natal
- MSc Mindfulness Approaches, Bangor University
- Advanced Diploma: Clinical Supervision (TPE)
- Certificate: CBT approaches (TPE)
- Certificate: Jungian Relational Psychotherapy, Metanoia
- Certificate: Energy Psychotherapy, Confer Training
I am a registered member of the BACP, and accredited with the NCPS.
Work Experience
- Supervisor: 702 Crisis Centre, Johannesburg
- School Counsellor: SAHETI primary and secondary school, Johannesburg
- Youth Worker: Hammersmith, Out on Thursdays Project
- Lecturer and Facilitator: Person Centred Counselling Diploma, Tower Hamlets College
- Lecturer: A level Psychology, Tower Hamlets College
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Manager: BSix College
- Co-founder: School of Moments, a mindfulness-based coaching and training organisation
- Private practice psychotherapist
Relevant Experience
Throughout the years, I have attended and facilitated diverse trainings, workshops and retreats, all of which inform my current work practice. These include:
- Creative & systemic therapy training (Keeney Institute, Mexico)
- Shamanic apprenticeship (Daniel Stone)
- Personal silent meditation retreats (Gaia House)
- Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats (Peru and Portugal)
- Realisation Process (Fundamental consciousness) workshop (Judith Blackstone)
- Integrating Buddhism and Psychotherapy (Switzerland)
- Currently on a two year Nondual Meditation Teacher training (Purpose Guides Institute, Canada)
Rates
Individual Therapy Sessions
50 Mins
Weekly (or fortnightly after an initial weekly period)
Individual Supervision Sessions
50 Mins
Fortnightly or monthly
(Please speak to me if you feel this rate is unaffordable as I may have some concessions available)
Supervision & mentoring
I work with therapists who are new to the profession as well as experienced practitioners. As your supervisor I will seek to meet you in your preferred modality as well as offering you fresh perspectives to consider and integrate. I am committed to your growth and to supporting you to embody your uniqueness as a therapist.
Bits & Pieces
Click here for information on a series of books I’ve written for children on mindfulness
Here is a recent podcast of a discussion between myself and therapist Ali Bushell on the broad spectrum of approaches to therapy, and working outside of the mainstream
I was a guest on the Seeking the Self podcast where I talk about my Ayahuasca experiences
I have contributed a chapter to the collection The Wisdom of Not Knowing.
And here’s an excerpt from a podcast with therapist Alan Bordeville where we riff on ideas about playfulness and creativity in psychotherapy.
When I look inside and see that I am nothing, that is wisdom.
When I look outside and see that I am everything, that is love.
And between these two, my life turns.
Nisargadatta Maharaj.
