Business Details
Your Trusted Therapist in Cambridge for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis
Established in a tranquil rural setting near Cambridge, our practice offers psychotherapy and psychoanalysis rooted in feminist principles, psychiatric recovery, and sandplay therapy. As a qualified psychoanalyst with dual expertise as a Medical Doctor and PhD researcher in Gender, Psychiatry, and Psychoanalysis, we combine over a decade of clinical experience with a commitment to exploring the intersection of personal and socio-political contexts. Our approach prioritises creating a secure, non-judgmental space for clients to engage in transformative dialogue, utilising tools such as dream analysis and sandplay therapy to access unconscious processes.We work with individuals and groups, addressing issues ranging from anxiety and identity crises to trauma and systemic oppression, while integrating feminist and recovery models to foster self-empowerment. Our practice is informed by a deep understanding of cultural and social influences on mental health, aiming to help clients reconnect with their inner resources and navigate personal growth through a holistic, client-centred framework.
Services
Psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis
Feminist Therapy
Psychiatric Recovery
Sandplay Therapy
Highlights and features
- We offer over a decade of experience in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis
- Our team includes a Medical Doctor and PhD researcher in Gender, Psychiatry, and Psychoanalysis
- We provide a secure, non-judgmental space for exploration
- Our practice integrates feminist and psychiatric recovery models
- We utilise Sandplay Therapy for non-verbal expression and healing
Associations and certifications
- SITE for Contemporary Psychoanalysis
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
- International Society of Sandplay Therapy (ISST)
Services
Psychotherapy
Our psychotherapy services provide a structured framework for exploring emotional challenges through weekly sessions tailored to individual needs. Using evidence-based approaches, we help clients address anxiety, depression, and trauma while fostering self-awareness. The therapeutic process encourages reflection on personal and societal influences to promote lasting psychological growth.
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis offers in-depth exploration of unconscious patterns through regular sessions that examine recurring themes in clients' lives. By analysing dreams and relational dynamics, we uncover deep-seated conflicts that shape behaviour. This intensive approach aims to transform fundamental aspects of self-perception and interpersonal relationships over extended periods.
Feminist Therapy
Feminist therapy addresses psychological impacts of systemic oppression and gender inequality through a socio-political lens. We explore how cultural expectations and discrimination affect mental health, empowering clients to challenge internalised stigma. This approach supports individuals from marginalised groups in reclaiming agency and building resilience against societal pressures.
Psychiatric Recovery
Psychiatric recovery services focus on holistic healing beyond clinical diagnoses by addressing personal development needs. We work with clients experiencing schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders to create individualised recovery plans. This model emphasises strengths and aspirations rather than symptoms, fostering meaningful life changes through non-pathologising therapeutic relationships.
Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy utilises miniature figures and sand trays to facilitate non-verbal expression of inner experiences. Clients construct symbolic landscapes that reveal unconscious material, particularly beneficial for trauma processing. This sensory-based approach helps reconnect with creativity and access therapeutic insights through tactile engagement with symbolic representations.
People
Yael Pilowsky Bankirer
Psychoanalyst & Psychotherapist
Medical Doctor and PhD researcher specialising in Gender, Psychiatry, and Psychoanalysis with over a decade of clinical experience. Qualified member of SITE for Contemporary Psychoanalysis and UKCP accredited practitioner. Integrates feminist theory and sandplay therapy into practice.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you specialise in?
I specialise in psychoanalysis, feminist therapy, psychiatric recovery models, and sandplay therapy, integrating these approaches to address individual client needs.
How do you incorporate feminist principles into therapy?
I examine how systemic oppression and gender inequality impact mental health, helping clients challenge internalised stigma and build resilience against societal pressures.
What mental health conditions do you treat?
I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity crises, and psychiatric diagnoses including schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorders using recovery-focused approaches.
Is sandplay therapy suitable for adults?
Yes, sandplay therapy effectively helps adults access unconscious material through symbolic play, particularly beneficial for trauma processing and creative expression.
How accessible is your Cambridge practice?
Located in Newton, five minutes from Cambridge city centre with ample parking. Bus 31 stops nearby, though cycling from Cambridge is also convenient.
Do you offer reduced-cost therapy sessions?
Yes, I allocate some time slots for low-cost therapy sessions. Please contact me directly to discuss current availability and eligibility.
