Max Karlin

My practice is grounded in the existential approach, helping individuals to navigate life’s challenges creatively, actively and reflectively and to rediscover their sense of meaning and purpose. I intend to support them in experiencing a renewed sense of aliveness, whether for the first time or once again.

My approach is caring, supportive, empathic and collaborative, with an emphasis on what I call authentic presence, emotional resonance. Personally, I do not consider therapy a kind of mystic process; it is an open and honest conversation about life. We will then work together to explore your situation and contradictions in search of clarity and solutions that align with your true self and your values. I’m both with you and for you: walking alongside and focusing on what’s important to you.

The life transitions, whether personal, relational, or emotional, quite often constitute a category of events that often make people feel ungrounded, anxious, and sometimes even overwhelmed.  These feelings emerge through anxiety, depression, or confusion. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, I see them as indicators of one’s disconnection or distorted perception of reality. We will explore these feelings to find not only alleviation but a deepening of insights and new ways to approach life. Throughout our conversations, I will encourage you to focus as much on the present and future as on the past. Even a deep understanding of the past doesn’t always tell us how we want to live now, or what we may desire for our future—often central questions we’ll explore in therapy.

This is an opportunity for you to understand better what you really want from life, while at the same time accepting both the limitations and possibilities it has to offer. A process that will help you live more intentionally, taking responsibility for choices and finding deep satisfaction in these very day-to-day moments.

While the foundation of my practice is existential psychotherapy, I incorporate other modalities of practice, informed by my academic background and a host of professional experiences. This enables me to formulate an individualised, client-centered approach that will uniquely meet the needs and issues for each person. My goal is to help you sort through personal difficulties, improve your relationships, and effectively manage stress and anxiety.

Preliminary introduction

I offer a complimentary 15-20 minute phone or online consultation for you to determine if you would like to work with me and for me to gain a better understanding of your reasons for seeking assistance and how I can help you. Please reach out to schedule a mutually suitable time for this initial meeting.

During our first session I will get to know your situation and this will be an opportunity for you to understand and get a feel for whether you are comfortable working with me and my approach.

We will discuss the issues that have brought you to me and how we can explore them together, as well as my confidentiality policy, fees, appointment times and absences.

Book a suitable time slot here >>

I work in accordance with the UKCP Code of Ethics and under the supervision of experienced colleagues.

Individual counselling

I work with issues and challenges arising from significant life events and changes. These include issues such as loss of meaning, anxiety, stress, depression, anger, relationship difficulties and issues of self-esteem and self-worth. I help clients deal with difficult family relationships, partnership tensions and break-ups, personal difficulties in finding a more ‘stable’ life, and the conflicts and anxieties that accompany these challenges. 

Themes and issues I typically work with:

• Addictions
• Anger management
• Anxiety
• Bereavement and grief
• Bullying
• Career counselling
• Cheating and betrayal
• Depression
• Divorce and separation
• Eating disorders
• Life purpose and meaning
• Low self-esteem
• Panic attacks
• Problems at work
• Relationship counselling
• Sexuality and identity. issues
• Stress