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About Me

Choosing a therapist can be daunting. Will they understand me? Judge me? Will I feel safe enough to open up about deeply personal issues? Getting to know the person behind the professional title can help you get a sense of who I am and whether I might be a good fit for you. 

 

Welcome. I'm Bêne, pronounced as "Beanie". I'm a counselling psychologist with a blend of South African and British heritage, who is passionate about working alongside people as they navigate the complexities of the human experience.

 

Offering online psychotherapy services to individuals and couples across the UK, I aim to create a safe, connected, and non-judgemental space where you can openly share and navigate the challenges of your unique journey and work towards developing coping strategies, enhancing self-compassion, and building a stronger sense of agency. I love what I do and find my work to be deeply meaningful and rewarding. As a therapist, I value professionalism, ethical practice and maintaining a deep respect and appreciation for diversity. 

Whether you're embarking on a journey of personal development, navigating a crisis, or trying to make sense of a loss, I hope to develop a strong therapeutic relationship with you and walk alongside you on your journey towards growth, healing and authenticity.

Meet Your Therapist 

Hello, I’m Bêne (pronounced “Beanie”). I’m an HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist with a PhD in Psychology, offering online therapy to individuals and couples across the UK.

I’m drawn to this work because being human can be hard. Life brings ups and downs, loss and change, uncertainty, pressure, and moments that can feel overwhelming, often alongside responsibilities that don’t slow down when we need them to. Many people reach a point where what they’re carrying feels heavy or confusing, and they’re unsure how to cope or make sense of it on their own.

At times like these, it can help to have space to slow things down, to unpack what’s been happening, to reflect, and to be met by someone who understands the complexity of human experience. People come to therapy for many different reasons, often looking for support, perspective, or a way through experiences that feel difficult to hold alone.

 

I care about understanding people in the fullness of their lives: their inner worlds, their relationships, their histories, and the contexts they have been raised in and live within. I bring psychological depth to my work, while also valuing warmth, care, and genuine human connection. I’m attentive to nuance and complexity, and I try to work in a way that allows space for all of this to be held thoughtfully and without judgement.

 

To me, being a psychologist is a privilege. Being trusted with people’s experiences, particularly in moments of vulnerability, is something I hold with respect and humility. I aim to work in a way that feels ethical, grounded, and human, where people feel welcomed, accepted, and understood.

Qualifications

  • BA Psychology (University of Johannesburg)

  • BA Honours Psychology (University of Johannesburg)

  • MSc War and Psychiatry (King's College London)

  • MA Counselling Psychology (University of Johannesburg)

  • PhD in Psychology ( University of Johannesburg)

Professional Registration

  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Practitioner Psychologist
 - PYL043774

  • The British Psychological Society (BPS) - Graduate Member

Publications and Features
 

Dr Bêne Otto

In my early professional years I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?

- Carl Rogers

Lotus Flower
Dr Bêne Otto Counselling Psychologist
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