Some people come to therapy knowing exactly what they need. Others arrive with a sense that something is not quite right, but difficult to name.
Both are welcome here.
What makes my approach distinctive is the combination of depth psychotherapy with broad clinical expertise, enriched by my background in anthropology and my perspective as a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society, allowing me to attend not only to symptoms and history, but also to culture, meaning, identity, and the wider contexts in which suffering takes shape. My work is informed in particular by Winnicott, Jung, and Kierkegaard, alongside broader psychodynamic and humanistic traditions.
C Comfort Shields, CPsychol, AFBPsS, MBACP (Accred), PhD & MA (ClinPsy), MPhil & MSt (Oxon), FRAI
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
— Donald Winnicott
My approach is grounded in curiosity rather than correction. I am most concerned with experiences and feelings that interfere with your ability to feel real to yourself, to sustain meaning, and to inhabit your life with a sense of vitality and coherence.
Together, we might ask questions such as:
How does life come to feel significant again?
How does one develop an authentic sense of self?
How does meaning return after trauma, loss, or long periods of psychological strain?
There are no universal answers to these questions. Rather than offering solutions in advance, my role is to provide a contained, reflective therapeutic environment in which they can be explored at a pace that is safe, grounded, and specific to you — supporting psychological integration, stability, and the gradual expansion of life possibilities over time.
Depending on a client’s needs, I may integrate other modalities alongside psychodynamic work, including EMDR and, where appropriate, elements of DBT or CBT, always in service of depth, containment, and ethical care rather than technique for its own sake.
I am also specialist in trauma and complex mental health, including complex PTSD, PTSD, developmental trauma, neurodivergence, and more severe or enduring mental health presentations such as bipolar spectrum disorders , where psychological therapy is offered thoughtfully and in collaboration with psychiatric care.
I am based in the Harley Street Medical District, offering discreet, world-class psychological therapy and assessment in Central London and online. I am an approved provider for Bupa Global, Cigna, and WPA, and am trusted by senior leaders, professionals, expats, and private clients who value confidentiality, clinical rigour, and discretion.
Services Offered by Dr Comfort Shields (Harley Street, London & Online):
- ADHD and diagnostic clarification assessments
- Trauma and C-PTSD assessments
- CICA and medico-legal psychological reports
- Psychodynamic and humanistic psychotherapy
- EMDR therapy
- Couples therapy
What is the difference between therapy and an assessment?
Therapy is an ongoing process focused on emotional understanding and change over time. An assessment is a structured, time-limited process designed to provide clarity, diagnosis where appropriate, and recommendations.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Appointments for assessments are typically available within 1–2 weeks. Therapy availability varies depending on current capacity.
Do you offer online appointments?
Yes. Sessions and assessments are available both in person in the Harley Street Medical District and online.
Do I need to know exactly what I need before contacting you?
No. Many clients are unsure whether they need therapy or an assessment. You are welcome to get in touch, and we can guide you.
A warm welcome! I am a private psychotherapist and chartered psychologist in the Harley Street M
Have some questions first? You can always reach out here, or email me directly at info@comfortshieldspractice.com