Money is a powerful symbol, one that people use unconsciously to act out emotional issues. I have often come across clients whose mismanagement of their finances is rooted in deep emotional issues that are often unrelated to money itself – money becomes just a means to express desires or fears rooted in early experiences.
An example of money difficulties clients have approached me with include clients:
- who don’t live comfortably because of a sense that they never have enough money
- who struggle with overspending and act against their best interest with money
- who find it too anxiety-provoking to make investments because of past financial trauma
- who find it hard to negotiate matters related to inheritance because of complex family dynamics
- who experience great guilt/fear/anxiety if they think about money
- who struggle with money-related addictions (including findom)
- who cannot resolve differences around money management with their partners or families
First Step
The first step is to meet for an Initial Consultation. The purpose of this session is to explore in more detail what your difficulties with relation to money are, in order to get a sense of whether this kind of therapy would be beneficial to you.
The Initial Consultation gives you an experience of therapy before deciding to go ahead with the sessions. It’s also an opportunity for me to help you consider other kinds of help that might be better suited in the event that you were seeking more practical or hands-on help with your financials in addition, or as an alternative to therapy.
We would then meet one-on-one for therapy sessions online or in person once a week. Please note that I don’t work with couples and that I work with a minimum of once a week sessions (ie: not fortnightly).
What is financial psychotherapy?
During our sessions we will explore your relationship with money, both historically and in the present. I will help you identify unconscious thoughts and associations to it, and we will look at your past experiences related to your current behaviour. When money is getting in the way of your relationships, we will analyse those relationships to better understand what is being acted out through money and think about how else to resolve those issues.
There won’t be a set structure to our sessions. There are no questionnaires or homework. The goal of therapy is to help you gain a deeper understanding of your difficulties so that you can implement the changes you desire.
Some people like to keep the focus of their sessions on the topic of money, yet others like to bring in more of their broader struggles in life. As a psychotherapist I can help you explore, understand and improve any aspect of your life that you wish you bring to therapy.
Understanding what is behind your financial difficulties and working on new ways to address your emotional fears, longings and blocks holding you back, will help you make different choices going forward. These are not financial planning sessions and I won’t be offering investment advice.
People find that money is one of the issues that are difficult to discuss openly and honestly with others and the fact that our sessions are completely confidential, offers a space in which to safely explore ideas.
If you are interested in the topic, click here to find out more about my book “Money on Your Mind: the Psychology behind your Financial Habits” which was awarded the MAIA Best Book Award in 2024.
You can read my column in The Sunday Times
Where I answer reader’s questions about how to deal with emotionally complex financial dilemmas.
Interested in my services for your company?
Check the services that I can offer to your company.