My Story
From Law to Psychotherapy
My name is Andrea Ratha, and you may be drawn to my approach if you are struggling with cultural identity, expectations and challenges in your relationships, amongst other things. I started off working in law, but became very low being stuck in a career that might have been expected of me culturally, but did not sit well with my interest in the individual and mental health.
After leaving law and working for a couple of years in schools as a teaching assistant, I began my psychotherapy masters, have never looked back (apart from when I have my own therapy sessions) and have never been happier.
This Could Be You
This could be you. Are you also feeling stuck, suffocated, unseen, unheard or unable to express yourself the way you would like to, as I once was? And, because I'm human, sometimes I notice these feelings still come up - the difference now is my awareness and knowing what to do with these feelings.
Why I Work with Adults and Couples
Every Adult and Every Couple Brings Their Younger Selves into the Room
People often ask why I trained as a child and adolescent psychotherapist but now work exclusively with adults and couples.
The answer is simple: every adult and every couple brings their younger selves into the room.
Understanding the Origins of Our Patterns
My training and over a decade working with young people gave me a deep understanding of child development, attachment, family relationships and the ways we adapt to our early environments. I no longer work directly with children and young people, because I am way more fascinated by how our formative experiences continue to shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others and navigate our relationships.
When working with adults and couples, I'm interested not only in what is happening now, but also in understanding where these patterns began, what purpose they once served and whether they are still helping you today.
Creating Lasting Change
Whether you're struggling with cultural identity, family expectations, people-pleasing, shame, boundaries or relationship difficulties, I believe that understanding where these patterns come from allows us to meet them with compassion, loosen their grip and create lasting change.
Let's work together on becoming more conscious of your patterns, having compassion for where they came from and facilitating change.
Qualifications & Experience
Professional Qualifications
CORST Level 5 Accredited Certificate in Couples/Relationship Therapy
MA in Child and Adolescent Counselling and Psychotherapy
Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Counselling
LLB
Professional Background
I am a BACP registered and UKCP accredited integrative psychotherapist, working with adults and couples. “Integrative” means I use a variety of approaches to tailor therapy to you and your needs.
With my background in law, I have had over 15 years' experience working with vulnerable adults, teenagers and children, providing mental health support within criminal defence, housing and schools, as well as providing therapy services within schools and the charity sector. My most recent work was as a school therapist in a secondary school in North London.
I offer couple/relationship therapy, having completed specialist assessed training awarded by The Grove's Certificate in Couple/Relationship Therapy accredited by COSRT at Level 5.
Why Work with Me?
My training and experience with children, teenagers, adults and couples gives me a strong foundation in developmental and intercultural trauma, and informs my work with adults by helping me understand how early experiences, family systems and cultural contexts continue to shape how we view ourselves, relate to others and navigate our relationships.
As a child and adolescent psychotherapist working with adults and couples, I bring a developmental lens to therapy. This means I'm interested not only in the difficulties you are facing today, but also in understanding how your earliest experiences may still be influencing your inner critic, relationships, boundaries and sense of self.
Every adult and every couple brings their younger selves into the room. My specialist training helps me understand those younger parts with curiosity, compassion and depth, supporting lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms.
Where and when can sessions take place?
I am currently able to see you face-to-face or online. In-person sessions will be at my private practices in Enfield Town or Angel.
Please note that I currently offer sessions Monday - Thursday during daytime hours only. My latest available appointment is 2pm for in-person sessions in Angel (Wednesday–Thursday), 3pm in Enfield Town (Monday), and 4pm for online sessions on Tuesdays.