PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

LAURA TARSIA MA, MSC, MBACP-UKRCP

I am a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor, registered and accredited with over 15 years’ experience in the private and public sector. I work with adults, teenagers and children with a psychoanalytic or psychodynamic approach, to managing and overcome various life hurdles such as personal challenges, navigating relationships, coping with mental health concerns.

My primary orientation to therapy is Lacanian. I see each person coming to my practice as a unique individual, with specific needs and desires. Whether a short or long term approach is what one is looking for, the symptoms and suffering that brings one in are what form the core of the work.

The analytic experience is an opportunity to understand the causes of one's distress and to free oneself from unwanted and painful ways of feeling, thinking, behaving, and to co-create solutions. It enables one to make more sense of the events in one's own life.

Originally from Italy, I work in 4 languages, including French, English, Italian and Spanish. My practice is based in South Singapore. Due to similar time difference I am currently working online with analysands based in the APAC region, such as Hong Kong and western Australia.

Being emotionally unwell can manifest in a number of ways such as:

Anxiety

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Bereavement

Bipolar Disorder

Burnout

Depression

Eating problems

Life transitions

LGBTQ+ issues

Low self confidence

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Panic Attacks

Psychiatric Diagnoses

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Problems dealing with the rites of passage in life

Schizophrenia

Sleep problems

Redundancy

Relationships problems (partner/sexual/work)

Trauma

Work-stress related

(For more info visit: Mind)

Scrabble tiles spelling out Words Matter

Psychoanalysis

In every demand for help there is someone "who suffers because of an internal conflict that he or she is not able to solve by him or herself" (S.Freud)

People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, but perhaps the hardest decision is to make up one's mind to ask for help. In therapy the individual is invited to talk freely about their difficulties, relationships, past experiences and fears.

Psychoanalysis [1][2][3] is a form of therapy that focuses on the unconscious. It encourages exploration of behavioral patterns, thoughts, family dynamics, relationships, memories, fantasies, dreams, and significant life events, with the aim of uncovering insights into how a person has come to their present situation. My experience oriented by psychoanalysis have taught me that symptoms will not go away, or cannot be employed less painfully, until we have articulated then grasped something about their logic, function and complex cause.

This approach offers a space to engage with complex emotions and thoughts—often ones that are difficult to express elsewhere. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice or directives, the analytic experience is an opportunity to understand the causes of one's distress. This understanding can enable the individual to find their solutions.

Qualifications

Lacanian Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Lecturer and a Member of CFAR (Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research)
Member CFAR (Since 2011, Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research, London)
Member MBACP-UKRCP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Member College of Psychoanalysts-UK
MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling with Children and Adolescents, (2010, Birkbeck College, London, UK)
Ma in Philosophy and Psychoanalysis (2004, University of Essex, UK)

I provide clinical supervision to counsellors and social workers, guiding them in their professional development.

As well as private practice, I have worked psychoanalytically with adults for the NHS in London, (Department of Liaison Psychiatry, at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital) with children and young people in the educational sector, (Primary & Secondary Mainstream Schools in Central London, International Schools settings: Early years, Primary & Secondary School in Singapore) and within voluntary organisations (Family Welfare Association, Kensington & Chelsea Young Carers Project and St Peter's Charity London.)

Working with Children

Children's wooden toys and pencils on table

Children, are referred for different concerns. Learning difficulties, concerns with behaviour, emotional and social concerns, separation, bereavement and anxieties.

In the work with children, I use a variety of means such as talk, play and arts to facilitate communication with the child in a safe space.

As well as working individually with children and adolescents, I also work with parents, either individually or in joint session with their child. Sometimes children’s difficulties bring up unresolved issues for parents which can trigger difficult emotional responses. By talking about these responses, the difficulties can be explored and thought about.

FAQs

People choose to begin psychoanalysis for a wide range of reasons. Some may be facing challenges at work, in their studies, or within their family, while others may be dealing with difficulties related to love, sexuality, or relationships.

Questions around identity or struggles with major life decisions can also lead someone to seek help. Some individuals may have experienced mental health issues or problems with substance use. Others might simply feel trapped in recurring patterns of emotional or physical suffering that seem beyond their control.

Regardless of the specific reason, the decision to speak with an analyst often comes when a person realizes they can no longer ignore the questions and pain that have been affecting their life.

Normally I will suggest that you come for an initial no-commitment consultation which will allow us both to make an assessment.

Consultation begins with an invitation to speak about what does not work in life, symptoms or patterns of behaviour that repeat, and which feel like impasses in life. I ask questions to have a wider understanding of the issues brought and what the individual expects from therapy.

Depending on the needs and desires of each individual, sessions can be twice weekly or more, weekly or less frequent.

The length is variable; it can last up to 50 minutes.

The overall length of treatment varies according to the individual, the issues worked on and the frequency of sessions.

If you have any inquiries or would like to schedule an appointment.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zZPrY8tGs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvdaGu0lbSY

www.lacanonline.com

I deliver seminars on Zoom to psychotherapy students of CFAR. The seminars are projected at Birkbeck College, Malet Street WC1, London. Seminars are open to the Public and held in UK Time zone. (If you wish to attend to a seminar please book through this link or email admin to request, book and receive the zoom link)

SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2025 1.45 – 3.15

Short Course: Beginning the Treatment

SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2025 Room G13/14 1.45 – 3.15

Love and Narcissism

SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2025 1.45 – 3.15 UK time Room (G13/G14 or zoom)

Short Course: Acting Out

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER 2024 3.30 – 5.30 UK TIME

Round Table: Structures of Love

ANOUCHKA GROSE, ANDREW HODGKISS, BERJANET JAZANI, L.TARSIA

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2024 1.45 – 3.15

Short Course: Diagnosis

SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2024 1.45 – 3.15

On Adolescence

SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024 1.45 – 3.15 (G13/14 and via zoom)

Short Course: Lacan’s Four Fundamental Concepts

SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2024 (Room G14 /15 Birkbeck College and via Zoom) 3.30 – 5.00pm

Lacan’s Seminar: On a Question Preliminary to any Possible Treatment of Psychosis I

SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2024 (Room G13/14 Birkbeck College and via Zoom) 1.45 – 3.15

On a Question Preliminary to any Possible Treatment of Psychosis II

SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023 (ROOM MAL 152/153 Birkbeck College and via Zoom) 1.45 – 3.15

Round Table: What Does Interpretation Aim At? ARTURO BANDINELLI, LUCIA CORTI, GWION JONES, LTARSIA

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2023 (ROOM MAL 152/153 Birkbeck College and via Zoom) 11.00 – 12.45

Introductory Lecture: The Real, the Symbolic and the Imaginary

SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Endings and Exits in Analysis

The seminar will be a combination of in person at Birkbeck College (Room 421) and Zoom session

SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2022

3.30 – 5.00 Freud's ‘Three Essays on Sexual Theory’

Room 421, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, WC1 and via Zoom

SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2022

1.45 – 3.15 Freud’s Technical Papers

SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Diagnosis

Room 421, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, WC1 and via Zoom

SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2022

3.30-5:00 Freud's Seminar: Totem and Taboo

Room 421, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, WC1 and via Zoom

SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2021

1.45 – 3.15 Freud’s Papers on Technique

L TARSIA (via Zoom - www.cfar.org.uk)

SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course; Repetition

L TARSIA (via Zoom - www.cfar.org.uk)

SATURDAY 26 JUNE

11.00 – 12.45 Introductory Lecture: Gender

L TARSIA (via Zoom - www.cfar.org.uk)

SATURDAY 17 APRIL

2.00 – 4.00 Round Table: Resolving Transference?

LUCA BOSETTI, LAURA TARSIA, ANNE WORTHINGTON (via Zoom-www.cfar.org.uk)

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2021

3.30 – 5.00 Short Course: Acting Out and Passage to the Act (Seminar via Zoom) L TARSIA

SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2021

1.45 – 3.45 Round Table: Symptoms after Analysis (Seminar via Zoom)

LUCA BOSETTI, DARIAN LEADER, LAURA TARSIA

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 (Seminar via Zoom)

3.30 – 5.30 Round Table: Pity and Fear

C TOMBRAS, D LEADER, L TARSIA, C WRIGHT

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2020 (Seminar via Zoom)

3.45 – 5.30 Round Table: Endings and Exits in Analysis

ASTRID GESSERT, DARIAN LEADER, LAURA TARSIA

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020

3.30 – 5.00 Affects in Lacan

University College London (UCL), Institute of Education,

20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL in Room 642

SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2020

2.00 – 4.00 Round Table: Feelings

LUCA BOSETTI, BERJANET JAZANI, DARIAN LEADER, LAURA TARSIA

ROOM 642, UCL, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL

SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2019

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Beginning the Treatment ( L. TARSIA)

ROOM 642, UCL, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL

SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

3.30 – 5.00 Female Arousal from Freud to Lacan

ROOM 642, University College London (UCL), Institute of Education,

20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL

SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Supervision

ROOM 642, University College London (UCL), Institute of Education,

20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL

SUNDAY 24 JUNE 2018

1-6 pm MARATHON READING of Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego.

The Freud Museum, 20 Marshfield Gardens, London, NW3 5SX

SATURDAY 3 JUNE 2017

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Hysteria & Obsession

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 25 MARCH 2017

1.45 – 3.30 Round Table: What Do Analysts Say?

JULIA CARNE, LAURA TARSIA, ANNE WORTHINGTON

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016

1.45 – 3.15 The Little Hans Case A. LANGLEY &L. TARSIA

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2016

1.45 – 3.15 Short Course: Transference and Interpretation

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 21 MAY 2016

1.45 – 3.15 Hysteria and the Body

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2016

3.30 – 5.00 The Phobias of Childhood

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 16 MAY 2015

11.00 – 12.45 Introductory Lecture: Gender

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

2.00 – 4.00 Round Table: How did Lacan Practise? (S.PALMER, L.TARSIA, C. TOMBRAS)

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2015

1.45 – 3.15 Bruno Bettelheim and Child Analysis

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2015

11.00 – 12.45 Introductory Lecture: Phobia

CFAR Centre for Freudian analysis and research, Room 414 Birkbeck College

SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2014

11.00 – 12.45 Introductory Lecture: The Oedipus Complex from Freud to Lacan