Therapy & CBT
Lukas is an ADHD, autism and gender specialist who specialises in working with 6-25 year olds. He has significant experience supporting children and teenagers struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, gender dysphoria, and other areas of concern.
His therapeutic work is rooted in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) but as an integrative therapist he draws on a number of different models to flexibly adapt his approach to suit your child’s needs. Lukas is HCPC, BPS, BAGIS & WPATH registered.
I pride myself on building a positive therapeutic relationship with everyone I work with, grounded in an understanding and appreciation of their unique identity, circumstances and needs. This enables me to work effectively in highly individualised, collaborative and creative ways.
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Lukas’ therapy approach
Lukas’ therapeutic approach is centred around helping children and young people to develop a lasting sense of resilience, self-acceptance and positivity. With 10+ years experience working with neurodivergent children, Lukas tailors his approach to be suit the needs of each individual child he works with to ensure the best approach for their unique needs.
Working from a basis of behavioural therapy, Lukas’ approach is further informed by his theoretical and clinical training in Art and Creative Therapy, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy, Group Therapy, Mindfulness, Play Therapy & Positive Psychology.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT works with the underlying assumption that the way we think affects how we act and feel. People can interpret the same event in many different ways leading to a variety of emotional and behavioural responses. The theory of CBT proposes that negative thoughts and beliefs play a significant role in the development and maintenance of depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.
CBT involves examining any unhelpful thought patterns and exploring how they can affect our emotions and actions.
Therefore, being able to challenge these beliefs by weighing up the evidence for and against them can assist a person in reducing their distress and enhancing their ability to cope in everyday life situations. CBT aims to help you develop your own skills and own toolbox of strategies. Whilst this kind of therapy can involve looking at past experiences in our lives, it primarily focuses on ways to improve our psychological wellbeing now.
Meet the team
Lukas is supported in his therapeutic and diagnostic work by his Assistant Psychologist, Alfie Leech. As well as ensuring an in-depth and coordinated level of support and communication, this allows Lukas Dressler Psychology to offer sessions at a range of pricing levels, opening up opportunities to receive help to a wider number of clients.
Lukas Dressler
Tailoring his approach to meet the individual needs of his clients, Lukas (he/him) applies flexible, integrated working methods, centred around the principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). He specialises in working with young people (aged 6-25), and is dedicated to providing a supportive therapeutic environment for children, adolescents and adults alike. Lukas works together with his clients to find creative and effective solutions for their unique journeys.
Alfie Leech
Alfie Leech (he/him) is a Graduate Psychologist and Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) with notable experience of working with individuals with ADHD and/or autism. He creates a safe and non-judgemental space in which clients can reflect on their experiences. Alfie provides structured 1:1 sessions for gender identity exploration or mental health difficulties like anxiety or depression. He also supports the ADHD assessment process at Lukas Dressler Psychology.
Where your therapy will take place
Therapy sessions can take place in-person or over video call as per your preference. If you choose to carry out your sessions in person, these will take place at our practice, situated in central Hove on Church Road offering a quiet, calm and private space for clients.
Lukas’ specialisms
Lukas is proud to help neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ young people to recognise their potential and progress towards celebrating their authentic self.
Neurodiversity
Neurodivergence is part of human diversity. Each brain is unique and beautiful in its own way and deserves care and respect.
Whilst it can be challenging to understand, contextualise and accept the realities of living with a neurodivergent brain in a society that remains geared towards neurotypical ways of thinking and behaving, it is Lukas’ privilege and passion to work with people to help them better understand themselves and their potential in order that they can not only achieve greater self-acceptance and self-worth, but to allow them to thrive.
He works with children and young people who may need help understanding their ADHD or Autism, particularly when they may be struggling with depression and anxiety caused in part by the challenges their neurodivergence presents in a neurotypical system. He offers expert, compassionate support for whatever issues they may be facing.
LGBTQIA+
In an increasingly unsettling and challenging time for the LGBTQIA+ community, queer people still face a complex set of struggles navigating a world that still sees them as different or atypical at best, and broken or wrong at worst. The social isolation, rejection, homophobia, transphobia and discrimination that our society can incubate has a profound impact on the way a young persons’ sense of self develops.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community himself, Lukas understands how this psychological process manifests over time. He has undergone his own journey towards self-acceptance and, whilst it hasn’t always been easy, his lived experiences inspire him to develop his practice as a psychologist, dedicating himself to helping every young person he works with to learn love themselves and be proud of who they are and all that they have achieved.
FAQs
More information about commencing therapy, including pricing and availability.
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I aim to build a positive therapeutic relationship founded upon understanding and appreciation for the individual person and their circumstances. This enables me to work effectively in highly individualised, collaborative and creative ways to benefit clients.
My therapeutic work is rooted in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) but as an integrative therapist I am able to draw on a number of different models and flexibly adapt my approach to meet the particular needs of individual clients.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) works with the underlying assumption that the way we think affects how we act and feel. People can interpret the same event in many different ways leading to a variety of emotional and behavioural responses. The theory of CBT proposes that negative thoughts and beliefs play a significant role in the development and maintenance of conditions such as depression, anxiety or low self esteem.
CBT involves examining any unhelpful thought patters and exploring how they can affect our emotions and actions.
Therefore being able to challenge these beliefs by weighing up the evidence for and against them can assist a person in reducing their distress and enhancing their ability to cope in everyday life situations. CBT aims to help you develop your own skills and own tool box of strategies. Whilst this kind of therapy can involve looking at past experiences in our lives, it primarily focuses on ways to improve our psychological wellbeing now.
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My availability fluctuates in accordance with the needs of my existing clients. I try to make myself available as swiftly as possible for new clients, and will always try my best to accommodate.
In busy times, I operate a waiting list system. Waiting times can vary depending on demand.
Please do send an enquiry if you’re looking for support in the near or immediate future. I will do my best to support you if I can.
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Therapy sessions with Lukas are charged at £110 per 50 minute session.
Therapy sessions with Alfie are charged at £80 per 50 minute session.
Learn more about Lukas and Alfie here.
If you have private healthcare insurance, you may be able to claim the cost against your policy. Please check with your provider.
Concessionary fees may be available upon request, depending on availability.
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Depending on your policy, the cost of sessions might be covered by your insurance. I am a registered provider with several insurance companies, including: Aviva, Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, and WPA.
Please get in touch if you have spoken to your provider and they require any additional information.
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There is no pre-specified amount, and I will be happy to tailor my approach to suit your needs.
I recommend that we see each other weekly, and will discuss your circumstances and capacity during the first session. Therapy is not a process that can be rushed, and I will work with you for as long as you need my support. That said, I believe the goal of therapy should be to provide the tools and support for you to be able to move forwards without regular sessions when you are ready.
There is no requirement to commit to a set number of sessions, and I will always try my best to accommodate around your schedule.
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Sessions last for 50 minutes
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I offer both in-person appointments at my Hove practice, and online appointments via video call. You can choose whichever option works best for you.
My practice is located at: Kingsway House, 134 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2DL.
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Cancellations made with more than 48 hours' notice will not incur a cancellation fee.
Cancellations made between 24 and 48 hours before the scheduled appointment will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice, or where an appointment is missed without notice, are liable for the full fee for that appointment and will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Lukas Dressler and Alfie Leech reserve the right to cancel appointments on shorter notice, including up to 1 hour before the scheduled appointment, where circumstances require. In such cases, no cancellation fee will apply. Where an appointment has already been paid for, a full refund or the option to reschedule will be offered.
Lukas can help with…
Low Self-Esteem
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic disorder
Phobias
Separation Anxiety
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Please be advised that Lukas does not offer marriage, couples or relationship counselling.
Make a therapy enquiry
If you’d like to discuss starting therapy or find out more about the process, please fill in the following form. A response will be sent to the address provided within 1-3 days of your enquiry - please make sure you check your junk / spam folders!