About me
I’m Christina Macadam. I spent many years as a teacher before deciding that I wanted to work on a deeper level with children and adolescents and adults. This led me to train as a psychodynamic psychotherapist.
I completed my clinical training at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, qualifying me to work with children, adolescents, adults and families. Before this, I did a pre-clinical Masters at the Anna Freud Centre, which provided an in-depth understanding of development from infancy to adulthood. I am currently in adult analytic training with the Society of Analytical Psychology.
Since 2015, I’ve worked therapeutically in a variety of settings and a range of emotional, behavioural, social and mental health difficulties. This includes working in a Tier 3 community NHS , the third sector, and primary and secondary schools. I also provide clinical supervision. Currently I work at the Nightingale Hospital, in private practice and as an honorary adult psychotherapist at Charing Cross Hospital.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and adhere to their strict code of ethics. I am also a member of the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists (TSP). I have regular clinical supervision and personal therapy. This ensures that my work is of the highest standard.
I have coauthored an academic paper, published in the Journal of Child Psychotherapy, describing our work at a specialist under 5's service. More detail can be found here.
I have experience of working with a wide range of ages, identities and cultural backgrounds. My practice is welcoming, inclusive and LGBTQIA+ affirmative.
Education
Society of Analytical Training
Adult Analytic Training (current)
University of East London/The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
MA in Psychological Therapies with Children, Young People, and Families (awarded a Distinction)
University College London/The Anna Freud Centre
MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology
(awarded a Distinction)
My approach
As my base, I use a psychodynamic approach, which increases awareness of our inner, less conscious world and the way past experiences influences our present behaviour. My practice is very informed by attachment theory and developmental neuroscience and their links with child development.
How I work
As a therapist, I listen to you and work together to make sense of your thoughts, feelings and experiences. The process of working through feelings with a professional can create deeper self-awareness and connection with others. Through exploration, we can identify relationship and behavioural patterns and unpick things that are holding you back. Through reflection, we can bring about new perspectives and new ways of being. This can lead to a more balanced and whole sense of self.
Therapy is sometimes challenging. It can bring up difficult feelings, touch on parts of ourselves that we are uncomfortable with or even unaware of. However, it can also be a powerful way of understanding ourselves better and an opportunity for emotional growth and healing.
Key to this is the relationship that we build together in the sessions - one that is authentic, compassionate and accepting. Within a safe and supportive space, we can explore your personal story.