About Us
“CPU’s contribution to the wellbeing of many without resources has been vital. I am grateful for all they do.”
Psychotherapy for All
We believe the highest quality mental health treatment should be available to all, not just those that can afford it. Our mission is to extend access to psychotherapy to those for whom it has not previously been an option because of financial, ethnic or cultural barriers.
A Beacon in the Darkness
Every year CPU London's service supports almost 200 people experiencing mental health difficulties who are on benefits or low income and unable to afford private treatment. A third are young people (18-25) and almost half are from Global Majority backgrounds.
Long-term Support
The short-term clinical responses commonly provided on the NHS are ineffective in helping people with long-standing, complex mental health difficulties. We offer weekly psychotherapy for up to two years; a long-term engagement between therapist and patient that enables them to explore difficulties in real depth.
Improved lives
Three-quarters of our patients have improved mental health at the end of their treatment, including increases in their sense of wellbeing, ability to function, physical health and risk of harm. The support we give is very often transformative, enabling patients to find joy and fulfilment in their lives over the long term.
Wide Impact
Patients come to our clinics in Camden and Islington from 25 different boroughs across London. And the impact of our work extends far beyond the therapy room. When we improve one patient’s mental health we help many of those closest to them as well: partners, children, and caregivers alike.
Clinical excellence
CPU London is known for its high standard of clinical excellence. We offer our patients individual or group psychotherapy sessions for up to two years. It’s a long-term engagement between therapist and patient, a chance to explore one’s difficulties in depth.
Building for the Future
We provide highly sought-after training placements to the next generation of psychoanalytic psychotherapists and psychoanalysts.
Ambassador:
Helena Bonham Carter
Patrons:
Jo Brand | Michael Brearley | Philip Collins | Sandford Loudon | Juliet Rosenfeld | Abigail Schama | Lord Stewart Wood
Trustees:
Jonathan Bloch | Dr Caroline Dickinson | David Rothschild | Alon Gurfinkel | Greg Holden | Dr Marek Koperski | Marika Freris
Clinical Director / CEO:
Ora Dresner
Acknowledgements:
We would like to sincerely thank those clients who give what they are able to contribute towards the cost of their sessions, individual donors and all of our volunteers for their generous support.
We would particularly like to thank all our donors who contribute regularly to keep our service free of charge for those who cannot afford to pay.
We would also like to thank players of the National Lottery and all of our organisational donors, in particular:
Bluston Charitable Settlement | City Bridge Foundation | The Fishmongers’ Company | Hampstead Wells and Campton Trust
Henry Smith Foundation | Jan and Belinda Pethick Charitable Fund | The Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Trust | The National Lottery Community Fund
Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity | The Pixel Fund | ScotsCare | St. James's Place Charitable Foundation | The Sybil Shine Memorial Trust
The Yellow Heart Trust