I’m Dr Zach Vogiatzis, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist (HCPC registered) and the founder of the Psychology Clinics, offering therapy in Central London (W1W) and online. I have over 15 years experience across NHS services, third-sector organisations and private practice.

I work with adults who are outwardly high-functioning yet privately struggling with burnout, anxiety/low mood, and repeating relational/attachment patterns such as people-pleasing, fear of asserting themselves/conflict, avoidance, overcontrol, emotional withdrawal/numbness. Many people I see carry this strain physically.

A particular focus of my practice is stress-related and medically unexplained (persistent) physical symptoms (PPS), for example IBS-type symptoms, headaches/migraines, chest tightness, dizziness, fatigue, fibromyalgia, and persistent tension, especially when investigations are reassuring but symptoms continue.

My work is grounded in NHS training, ongoing supervision and continuing professional development. I practise in an evidence-based formulation led way: we build a clear map of what is maintaining distress in the present, then work actively with the patterns that keep it going, and review progress so the work stays purposeful and responsive.

My style is active, collaborative and tailored to your needs. We pay close attention to what happens in real time, in mind, body and relationship, so insight becomes practical, lived change rather than simply understanding.

What I specialise in

• Anxiety, panic, OCD and health/social anxiety
• Burnout, low mood/depression, perfectionism and high pressure functioning
• Longstanding emotional patterns (overcontrol, shutdown, self-criticism, shame)
• Relationship difficulties (people-pleasing, fear of conflict, emotional withdrawal)
• Stress related and persistent physical symptoms (PPS) (including medically unexplained/functional presentations)

How I work

Therapy with me focuses on change that holds outside the therapy room. We clarify the cycle linking body sensations, attention/thought patterns, emotion and behaviour, and identify the strategies that bring short-term relief but long-term cost (e.g., overthinking, overcontrol, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, emotional shutdown).

We work to:

• reduce symptom fear and avoidance/reassurance loops where they maintain distress
• increase the capacity to stay present with difficult feelings safely (without flooding or shutting down)
• shift patterns that repeat in relationships, including, where relevant, how they appear in the therapy relationship, so new ways of responding become embodied and usable

You don’t need to decide the “right therapy” in advance. We agree a clear focus and use what fits.

Therapeutic approaches

I work from a primary emotion focused, ISTDP-informed framework. In plain English, this means we pay close attention to emotion, anxiety in the body, and the internal strategies (defences) that keep patterns stuck, and we work actively with these in the present so change is not only intellectual.

Alongside this core framework, I integrate other evidence-based approaches when clinically appropriate:

• CBT - particularly for avoidance, fear of sensations, and behavioural loops that maintain anxiety
• EMDR - when distressing memories and trauma networks are central to current symptoms
• DIT - a focused, time-limited relational approach, often helpful when mood/anxiety is tightly linked to relationship patterns
• Psychodynamic therapy- for long standing relational themes, identity patterns and attachment dynamics
• Somatic and mindfulness-based elements, when helpful for tracking arousal, shutdown and body based patterns

The aim is not to “apply a technique”, but to use the right methods at the right time, anchored in a clear formulation and an active therapeutic relationship.

Training, Qualifications and Experience

My interest in psychotherapy began during my undergraduate studies in psychology and deepened through my work as a mental health practitioner within the NHS. After completing my BSc, I held senior roles in third sector organisations supporting people with complex mental health difficulties. This experience led me to pursue a fouryear Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (PsychD).

During my NHS career I undertook specialist training in ISTDP, CBT, EMDR and DIT. Alongside my clinical work, I have supervised other mental health practitioners, delivered workshops for multidisciplinary teams, and contributed to developing psychological services in GP surgeries across East London.

List of Qualifications

• Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (PsychD), University of East London
• Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), ISTDP-UK
• Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy (Levels 1, 2 & 3), Richman EMDR
• Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), King’s College London
• BSc (Hons) Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London

Professional Registrations

I adhere strictly to the ethical guidelines of the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP), and the British Psychological Society (BPS). I regularly engage in professional development and stay updated on the latest research in psychological treatments. My work is also supported through regular supervision with a senior clinical supervisor.

• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL38055
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP): 140897
• Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Division of Counselling Psychology: 245276

Practical details
I offer sessions in Central London (W1W) and online.