ADULTS, COUPLES
Ben Dustin
Ben is a Transactional Analysis (TA) Psychotherapist with over ten years' experience supporting individuals and couples.
He has a particular interest in helping people develop a healthier relationship with themselves, as well as finding more effective and empowering ways of communicating and being in the world. He works with people experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, OCD, and the emotional impact of ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence.
Drawing primarily from TA alongside psychodynamic thinking and mindfulness, Ben helps clients understand the thoughts, beliefs, relationship patterns, and internal dialogue that may be contributing to their difficulties. His approach is compassionate and collaborative, supporting clients to develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and lasting emotional change or anything else they are struggling with..
Before training as a psychotherapist, Ben volunteered with the Samaritans for two years. During his psychotherapy training, he worked as an honorary counsellor with Mind in Hammersmith and Fulham and Age UK, supporting adults experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Since 2016, he has worked in private practice with individuals and couples, both online and in person.
Alongside his clinical work, Ben is a sessional Theory Tutor at The Awareness Centre in London, where he teaches on the Diploma in Integrative Counselling programme. He has also delivered mindfulness sessions and workshops to professionals in the workplace, and continues to develop his practice through ongoing professional development.
He holds an MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy from the Metanoia Institute.
Professional registration: UKCP Languages spoken: English Availability: Blackheath (Wednesdays 9-3pm) and Online Fees: Couples – £120 | 50 minutes. Individuals – £100 | 50 minutes
Ben’s approach and specialisms
Ben works from a Transactional Analysis (TA) perspective, a therapeutic approach that explores how our early experiences shape the beliefs we hold about ourselves, the way we communicate, and the relationships we create throughout life.
He believes that many emotional difficulties are maintained by the relationship we have with ourselves. Through becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and internal dialogue, it becomes possible to understand why we respond in certain ways and begin developing healthier, more compassionate patterns.
Rather than offering quick solutions, Ben works collaboratively with clients to help them make sense of their experiences, strengthen their emotional wellbeing, and build more satisfying relationships with themselves and others. He believes in the primacy of meeting whatever you bring to therapy with compassionate curiosity rather than criticism or judgment.
Ben offers therapy for individuals and couples online throughout the UK, as well as in person from our therapy rooms in Blackheath, South East London.
Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Imposter Syndrome
Ben has a particular interest in supporting people who struggle with self-esteem, self-confidence and feelings of not being good enough. Many clients find themselves caught in patterns of self-criticism, people pleasing or imposter syndrome without fully understanding where these beliefs began.
TA provides a helpful way of exploring how these internal beliefs develop and how they continue to influence everyday life. Together, Ben and his clients explore these patterns with curiosity rather than judgement, creating opportunities to develop greater confidence, self-compassion and a stronger sense of self.
Rather than simply helping people feel more confident, Ben aims to help them build a healthier and more supportive relationship with themselves.
Anxiety, Depression and Emotional Wellbeing
Ben works with people experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD and chronic emotional distress, helping them understand the underlying emotional patterns that may be contributing to their difficulties.
His approach encourages clients to explore the thoughts, feelings and internal conflicts that sit beneath symptoms, rather than focusing solely on managing them. Alongside TA, Ben incorporates mindfulness to help clients become more aware of their internal experiences and respond to them with greater compassion.
By making sense of these patterns, clients often develop a greater sense of calm, emotional resilience and wellbeing.
Relationships and Communication
Ben works with both individuals and couples experiencing difficulties within their relationships. This may include communication problems, recurring conflict, emotional distance, resentment, trust, intimacy or the impact of infidelity.
TA offers a practical way of understanding how relationship patterns develop and why the same difficulties often repeat themselves. Ben helps clients recognise these patterns, understand the emotional needs underneath them, and develop healthier ways of communicating and relating.
His work focuses on helping people strengthen connection, reduce conflict, and build relationships that feel more honest, secure and fulfilling.
Men’s mental health
Ben has a particular interest in working with men who find it difficult to express vulnerability, understand their emotions or ask for support.
He offers a thoughtful and non-judgemental space where men can explore issues around identity, confidence, relationships and emotional wellbeing, while developing healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. He also works with men experiencing difficulties relating to sexuality, pornography or sexual behaviour, supporting them with curiosity, compassion and respect.
Qualifications
MSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy, Metanoia Institute
Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy Certificate, WPF Therapy
Relevant CPD and Additional Training
Mindfulness Practitioner Course, Achology
Mindfulness Training, London Centre for Mindfulness
Using Imago Relationship Therapy to Transform Couples Relationships
Brief Therapy with Couples: An Integrative Approach