Skewstar Psychology
Psychotherapy in Cambridge, Ely & online
Navigate uncertainty. Live authentically.
Hi, I'm Tony. I’m a Practitioner Psychologist working with adults. My work is shaped by a deep interest in how we navigate complex systems, both internal and external, to find genuine wellbeing and meaning.
Perhaps you feel stuck or overwhelmed. You might be grappling with significant life changes, or facing difficult questions about your purpose and direction. Therapy provides a confidential and supportive space to safely explore these feelings together. It is a process of understanding yourself more deeply and finding a meaningful way forward.
My Background
I consider myself an open-minded and down-to-earth person with a genuine curiosity about people's experiences. My career has spanned 20 years in senior corporate leadership roles, including designing and leading large-scale employee wellness programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This work gives me a systemic view of the pressures people face in demanding environments. It inspired me to return to my clinical roots to work more directly with individuals, where I can focus on the person within the system.
This background provides a dual focus. I offer a deep therapeutic understanding of your internal world, informed by my doctoral research into how we navigate crises of meaning, alongside a practical appreciation for how that world is shaped by external systems, such as work, family, and culture. My previous work has included supporting people impacted by cancer at Maggie's Cambridge and working with a diverse client base at Cambridge Counselling Service.
I have a deep respect for the courage it takes to begin this process of change.
Professional Membership
Trust is the foundation of any therapeutic relationship. I am a practitioner whose work is independently regulated and held to the highest clinical and ethical standards in the UK.
HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
I am regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory regulator for psychologists in the UK. My registration (PYL048088) ensures I adhere to high standards of training, professional skills, and conduct.
BACP Individual Member
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work strictly within their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, which ensures clinical safety and professional accountability.
Education
My approach is built on a Professional Doctorate (DCPsych) from the NSPC and Middlesex University. This qualification integrated years of advanced psychological theory with intensive clinical practice.
My doctoral research explored the intersection of Existential Anxiety and how we perceive meaning in a complex world. This study, alongside my foundational clinical training in 2nd Order Cybernetics at the University of Johannesburg, provides the philosophical and systemic framework for my practice. It allows me to see beyond individual symptoms and look at the broader patterns of your life.
Why Therapy Can Help
Life is often uncertain. It is natural to feel anxious or overwhelmed when facing its challenges. My approach aims to help you explore your experiences without judgment, clarifying your values and discovering what truly matters to you.
Integrative Approach and Methods
My work is integrative, drawing on a range of established therapeutic theories tailored to your unique needs. This includes a specialist focus on existential therapy, exploring how we make sense of our lives and navigate fundamental questions about freedom, responsibility, and meaning.
I also incorporate insights from systems thinking. This helps us look at the wider context of your relationships, work, and life situation, seeing you as a whole person within your world.
How We Will Work Together
I usually suggest an initial session for us to explore what brings you to therapy and decide if we are a good fit. Following this, we can agree on either a fixed number of sessions focused on a specific goal, or more open-ended therapy allowing for deeper exploration.
My aim is to work alongside you, respecting your pace. Together, we can explore the challenges you face, unlock new perspectives, and help you move towards a more authentic and fulfilling life.
My Services
I offer confidential psychotherapeutic counselling for individual adults (aged 18 and over). My approach is integrative, drawing on various therapeutic models with a specialist focus on existential therapy to help you explore your experiences and find meaning.
I work with a wide range of issues, including:
- Anxiety and stress (including work-related pressure)
- Depression and low mood
- Relationship difficulties
- Life transitions (career changes, relocation, or retirement)
- Meaning, purpose, and identity
- Loss and bereavement
- Self-esteem and confidence issues
I also offer coaching services focused on personal and professional development, navigating transitions, and building resilience.
Sessions
Sessions are 50 minutes long and held weekly, usually at the same time each week. We can agree on either short-term counselling focused on a specific issue or longer-term, open-ended therapy for deeper exploration.
In-person Sessions
Cambridge: Held at Cambridge Counselling Service, near Stourbridge Common.
Ely: Opening soon.
Online Sessions
Available via secure video call.
My Fee Structure
I offer a sliding scale based on household income to help make therapy more accessible, ensuring my fees reflect your current financial circumstances.
- Standard Rate: £100 per session (for household incomes over £100k per annum)
- Reduced Rate 1: £80 per session (for incomes between £61k and £100k)
- Reduced Rate 2: £70 per session (for incomes between £31k and £60k)
- Reduced Rate 3: £60 per session (for incomes of £30k or less)
Initial Session & Terms
The Initial Meeting
Our first session is an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and to see if we are a good fit. This initial meeting is charged at your agreed ongoing rate.
Navigating the Sliding Scale
While the fee is usually based on household income, I understand that life is complex. If you are navigating a separation, managing significant debt, or are a student receiving parental support, please let me know. We can discuss which rate is most appropriate for your current situation during our first contact. Please note that availability for reduced-rate sessions may be limited.
Cancellations and Payment
I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. If a session is cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, the full fee will be charged. Payment is typically made by bank transfer before each session, or on a weekly or monthly schedule by agreement.
Insurance and Private Healthcare
I am currently an approved provider for the following insurance companies:
- AXA Health
- Aviva
- Vitality Health
How to use your insurance:
If you wish to use your private healthcare insurance to cover the cost of therapy, please mention this when you first get in touch. You will typically need to provide your membership or policy number and a pre-authorisation code from your insurer before our first session.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about how therapy works or would like to arrange an initial assessment, you are very welcome to get in touch.
This first step gives us the chance to talk through what brings you to therapy, explore whether it may be supportive for you, and see if we are the right fit to work together.
For all enquiries, please use the secure contact form.
Messages are usually responded to within 24 hours, and all communication is treated with complete confidentiality.
©Tony van der Nest