Joseph Madden:
Trainee Psychodynamic Psychotherapist (BACP Student Member)
My name is Joseph Madden, and I am a trainee psychodynamic psychotherapist working in the reduced-rate therapy and counselling service at HQ Therapy Rooms in Haggerston , Hackney, London E8.
I take a relational approach to therapy, prioritising trust, connection, and safety. I’m particularly conscious of power dynamics and intersectionality, ensuring that my practice is accessible and supportive to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
I believe the quality and authenticity of the therapeutic relationship are key to fostering growth, healing, and change.
Therapy often works on two levels. At times we focus on the present, helping us find more effective ways to cope with difficult emotions or situations. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, we also understand that it’s difficult to have a complete awareness of why we think, feel, and act as we do—especially without support.
Sometimes, despite making positive changes, such as in our jobs, relationships, or habits, we can still feel stuck in familiar patterns, which can leave us feeling anxious, angry, or depressed.
On the second level, the deeper work often involves understanding where these patterns come from—why they developed, how they served us in the past, and why they may no longer be useful today. By understanding and resolving these roots, we can begin to create more freedom, choice and joy in our lives.
My training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy has been through the MA programme at Goldsmiths, University of London, where I will soon qualify, and at the Metanoia Institute. I am a trainee member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and adhere to their code of ethics, ensuring a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment for all my clients.
Before beginning my psychotherapy training, I completed a BA in Philosophy, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London. My studies gave me a strong foundation in understanding how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to mental health.
Clinical training alongside psychiatrists and clinical psychologists at Guy’s Hospital further enriched my perspective, equipping me to work holistically with clients and consider both their inner experiences and external realities.
