Dr Benedict Hoff

I'm a queer psychosexual and relationship therapist, clinical sexologist and mindfulness teacher working with individuals, couples/thruples, young people and groups. I work in private practice in central London, Peckham and online and am an associate therapist with the Thought House Partnership. I have a long-standing interest in queer issues and gender, sexual and relationship diversity, both as an academic and a clinician, and am passionate about helping LGBTQ+ people  enjoy better mental health and more fulfilling sex and  relationships. I work with a wide range of presentations including:  Psychosexual issues (see separate directory listing by clicking here) Relationship issues and couples/thruples therapy Sexual identity and coming out Gender identity and (de)transitioning Addiction recovery  Depression and anxiety  Management of chronic illness and chronic pain Out of control sexual behaviours including chemsex Approach In terms of my approach, I'm interested in what works. So I don't limit myself to a particular approach but will tailor my way of working to your needs. I tend to integrate aspects of CBT, schema therapy, mindfulness and creative therapies into a more conventional non-directive psychotherapy approach.  Ultimately the relationship between you and me will be central to the work. I'm a warm, engaging therapist with whom you can think the unthinkable and speak the unspeakable. I'm also straight-forward and plain-talking, and you can trust me to point out your blind spots and things on the edge of your awareness you might be missing! The first few sessions usually involve getting a clearer picture of your hopes and desires. Once we know what we're working towards we can think together about a plan for getting there. This can involve: Becoming more conscious of relational patterns, thought processes and behaviours that are keeping you stuck Increasing your capacity to sit with and process difficult feelings and emotions Turning down the volume on your inner critic and increasing self-compassion Working through unfinished business from the past including loss and trauma Increasing your 'tool box' of supportive strategies and resources you can draw on when our work is over. Experience  I'm an experienced therapist in practice for eight years. I was formerly Clinical Lead for Mental Health at LGBTQ+ sexual health charity Spectra, managing their counselling service. Here I also developed a Mindfulness-Based Chemsex Recovery programme funded by Public Health England which I continue to co-facilitate at St Anne’s in Soho. I taught mindfulness and meditation at the West London Buddhist Centre for several years and am currently associate mindfulness teacher with Breathworks CIC.  When I'm not seeing clients I'm a researcher and writer and have contributed to various publications in the fields of cultural studies, mindfulness and psychotherapy as well as publishing a book on queer Latin American cinema. In my spare time I enjoy good coffee, the great outdoors and going to the movies. Qualifications and Professional Registrations Diploma in Clinical Sexology Diploma in Schools and Adolescent Counselling Diploma in Integrative Counselling Advanced Certificate in Mindfulness Teaching PhD in Cultural Studies (Gender/Sexuality Focus) Registered Member: College of Sex and Relationship Therapists Registered Member: British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Member of the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches You can find out more on my website by clicking here!