Dr Tamara Ventura Wurman

‍Areas of Expertise

Medical Psychotherapy

There are times in our lives when our emotions become overwhelming, and sometimes people can develop symptoms or behaviours that they don’t understand, which may seem to be out of their control. While behaviours, thoughts and feelings can give a clue about the areas of life that you may be struggling with, they often only represent the tip of the iceberg, not by themselves allowing us to understand the whole picture and the complexity of what may be taking place in your life. Psychotherapy can help you to better understand yourself, work through and resolve these difficulties.

As a specialist in Medical Psychotherapy, I have the expertise to assess which psychotherapeutic modality would be the best and most helpful to address your personal circumstances and symptoms at a given time. In addition, I am able to deliver, oversee and supervise a range of different psychotherapies.

In my clinical practice, I am not restricted to one particular type of therapy, which may not be the right one for every person. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience and have trained in a comprehensive range of evidence-based psychotherapies including psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, mentalisation-based (MBT), dynamic interpersonal (DIT), cognitive behavioural (CBT), cognitive analytical (CAT), meta-cognitive and systemic/family therapies. I will also make recommendations for other psychotherapeutic approaches when required. I can provide the therapy myself, support the work with your current psychotherapist, or refer you to a particular psychotherapist or treatment programme.

Personality, emotional & relationship difficulties

Difficult experiences like trauma, loss, or challenging circumstances can cause many people to develop coping strategies and relational patterns that, although adaptive at the time, can become unhelpful later in life. This can negatively affect their relationships, their sense of identity and self-esteem, their relationship with their body, and/or their ability to regulate their emotions and behaviours. This can make it feel as though life is unbearable and the world is an uncertain and dangerous place, which in turn makes it very difficult to work, maintain relationships, or deal with life challenges. It can often be a very lonely experience, as those closest to you don’t necessarily understand why you are struggling or know how they can help. Sometimes, people try to cope with these experiences by making impulsive decisions, sabotaging their own career and relationships, misusing alcohol and substances, or by harming themselves or others.

I specialise in helping people understand and uncover the beliefs and fears that shape how they experience and live in the world. People frequently find themselves repeating destructive behaviours, feeling unhappy in relationships and stunted in their emotional, creative and professional development. Sometimes these issues do not fit under a specific diagnosis, but individuals can still greatly benefit from a wide range of psychotherapeutic interventions which help them make sense of their past,  understand their feelings and behaviours, as well as improve their relationships and their ability to self-regulate emotions, allowing them to live a more fulfilling life.

Complex Cases

I have extensive experience helping people who have been diagnosed with “complex” or “treatment-resistant” conditions, which usually involve co-occurring mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, personality difficulties, and alcohol and substance misuse. People with complex conditions can feel hopeless, helpless and confused about how to address their difficulties. 

In these cases, it is essential to think beyond the diagnostic labels, see the person as a whole, and take time to understand the underlying factors that may be contributing to their unique presentation and needs. Achieving this new understanding can often be therapeutic in itself. This fresh, thorough, holistic and in-depth assessment can shed new light on the person’s difficulties, and allow us to jointly develop a personalised treatment plan that may include not only medication options (if the person so wishes), but also psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. 

Physical Health & Chronic Conditions

It’s common for people living with long-term physical conditions to feel isolated or dismissed, often after being told, “it’s all in your head”, and being made to believe that the symptoms “are their fault” or “unreal”. I believe it is essential to take your symptoms seriously and work to understand both their biological causes and the story they may be trying to tell.

For many years, people believed that the body and mind functioned separately. This idea has since been debunked—our bodies and minds are deeply interconnected. Science shows that physical health issues can impact our mental well-being. Similarly, mental health difficulties can influence how our bodies function.

I have been endorsed by the General Medical Council for my expertise in Liaison Psychiatry, which is the specialty of psychiatry that deals with the interaction between people’s physical and mental health.

I specialise in working with people who have ongoing physical symptoms or chronic conditions affecting their mental health. I also help people who experience symptoms in their bodies which alert them to issues in their minds, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, among others.

Very often, a person will experience both these interactions at the same time: physical issues affect their mental health, while mental health issues affect their body. It is, essential to distinguish these interactions and conduct a thorough assessment in order to provide you with a personalised treatment plan that addresses both your physical and mental health needs.

Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth can be an extremely challenging time in a woman’s life, even more so when things do not go as expected. It is a time when your hopes and dreams can feel like they are in tension with the changes you experience in your body, the effects of hormonal fluctuations, and your sense of identity when you feel that your body and your time is no longer yours alone. 

The perinatal period is demanding from a physical and emotional perspective and entails adaptation to significant change. However, this period can become even more challenging if you have experienced foetal loss, recurrent miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, birth trauma or ongoing fertility difficulties. It is not uncommon for women to develop mental health difficulties during this period, or for pre-existing mental health symptoms to worsen during this time.

My main aim is to listen and support you while minimising the effects that stress or an episode of illness could have on you as a person, as a parent, on your unborn and newborn baby, and your family relationships. We would think together about a treatment plan, the advantages and disadvantages of taking medication during this time, including its effects on your baby, the benefits of psychotherapy, and the lifestyle changes that could help you navigate this time of your life.

My approach to treatment

It is absolutely understandable to feel anxious or apprehensive about seeing a mental health professional. I am aware though, that there are times in all our lives when our emotions can become overwhelming and keeping this in mind, I try to be very understanding and sensitive to you and to your story. I aim to create a space where you can feel safe to be authentic and open, where you can feel understood and contained, without the fear of being judged or criticised. 

As a specialist in general adult psychiatry and medical psychotherapy, I focus on finding the best treatment approach to suit your preferences and needs. 

 Your first consultation

When we first meet, I will welcome you and invite you to tell me about yourself. I will give you as much time and space as you need to share your difficulties with me. My main focus will be to listen carefully and understand what you are going through, your life history and experiences. 

My main aim is to develop an understanding of you as a whole person so that we can decide on the type of treatment approach that will work best for you. This first meeting also gives you an opportunity to see if my approach suits you, so you can make an informed decision about whether you would like us to work together.

Personalised treatment plans

We will work together to develop a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to you and aligned with your personal goals. Using my clinical expertise and knowledge of evidence-based treatments, I will develop a plan that is personalised and possible to implement within your daily routine.

I will explain your diagnosis and symptoms clearly, as well as the rationale for the treatment approach. We will discuss the different treatment strategies available to achieve your goals- their specific advantages and disadvantages- so that you feel equipped and comfortable to choose the option that feels right for you. I will be transparent with you about potential obstacles or side effects of the treatment that we may encounter in our therapeutic journey, so that we will have realistic expectations about it, but also so that we can plan ways to overcome them if they do occur at all.

Throughout the treatment, I will value your perspectives and opinions about how you are progressing so that we can change and adapt the treatment plan to meet your needs and expectations.

I believe in taking a holistic approach to your well-being. I will always endeavour to offer as many treatment options and lifestyle changes as possible to suit your needs and preferences. Some of the approaches I use include:

• General psychiatry: Conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your mental health difficulties. Recommend medication (if necessary) and consider other biological treatment options.
• Psychoeducation: Sharing helpful information about the condition and useful skills to manage some of the symptoms.
• Psychotherapy: I will recommend a talking therapy suited to your needs. I predominantly use:
  
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Psychoanalytic therapy
  • Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT),
  • Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT),
  • I also integrate principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Family/Systemic Therapy.
• Psychosocial: Supporting you in building relationships and networks, as well as helping your ability to work and function.Lifestyle interventions: Recommending tailored strategies like exercise, mindfulness, nutrition, or supplements. 

Medication

Taking medication isn’t always necessary, and the decision about whether to take medication or not is something that I will discuss and agree with you, after openly weighing the risks and benefits of every option so that you can decide what is the best treatment plan for you in an informed manner. 

I believe that medication should only be used for the shortest period necessary and at the lowest effective dose. My approach is based on the latest evidence-based guidelines and is always tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle preferences.

Medication can be especially helpful if your symptoms are severe, are affecting your ability to function, or making it hard to control impulses. I understand that, for many people, taking medication isn’t an ideal option. However, I do believe that in the right circumstances, medication can bring about significant relief. Empirical evidence shows that combining medication with psychotherapy is more effective in improving symptoms, as leaving these symptoms untreated might make it more difficult to get the full benefits from psychotherapy.

If you decide to take medication, we will have an ongoing discussion about your treatment plan, which we can always revise and adjust according to your progress and expectations. 

Education & Training

I am recognised by the General Medical Council as a registered specialist in both General Adult Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy. In addition, I have been endorsed for my expertise in Liaison Psychiatry and have significant experience working in Perinatal Psychiatry. In addition, I have completed an MSc in Psychoanalysis, as well as a PhD in Psychoanalysis, at University College London (UCL). I hold an honorary research associate position at UCL, and I am a tutor at the Anna Freud Centre.

I trained as a medical doctor at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, the top-ranked university in Latin America. I graduated with the highest distinction and as a top ten student. I then specialised in Psychiatry at the same university, completing diplomas in the Neurobiological and Evolutionary Bases of Psychiatry and the Theoretical Foundations and Clinical Practice of Psychotherapy. After my training, I worked in Chile as a Consultant Psychiatrist, treating inpatients and outpatients, specialising in liaison psychiatry, and providing expert witness opinions. 

In 2014, I moved to London to study at UCL while contributing to psychotherapy research, working as an honorary psychotherapist at the Camden Psychotherapy Unit, and completing the Post Foundation course at the Institute of Psychoanalysis in London. I later joined the prestigious Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust for higher training in Dual General Adult Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy, after ranking first nationally among applicants and being awarded the RCPSych Alexander Mezey prize. During this time, I trained as a Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT) practitioner, gained experience in Liaison and Perinatal Psychiatry, and began training as a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.

In addition to my clinical training, I hold a PhD in Psychoanalysis from University College London. My research developed a measure of therapist competence in brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), which is now used in training at the Anna Freud Centre. This work reflects my commitment to combining clinical practice with academic advancements to help people achieve meaningful change and a fulfilling life.

Some of my key publications include:

• Book chapter in Brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide Second Edition in Oxford University Press (2024)
• Clinical Management of Common Presentations of Patients Diagnosed with BPD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Counselling Psychology Quarterly (2021)
• Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy for Moderate to Severe Depression: A Pilot Randomized Controlled and Feasibility Trial in Psychological Medicine (2019)
• Long-Term Outcomes of Psychological Interventions on Children and Young People's Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in PloS one (2020)

Qualifications and Certifications

• Medical Doctor (MD), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
• Adult Psychiatrist, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
• Diploma in the Neurobiological and Evolutionary Bases of Psychiatry
• Diploma in Psychotherapy: Theoretical Foundations and Clinical Practice
• MSc in Psychoanalysis, University College London (Distinction)
• PhD in Psychoanalysis, University College London
• Mentalisation-Based Therapy Practitioner, Anna Freud Centre
• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (in training, Tavistock Clinic)
• Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• GMC Registered Specialist in General Adult Psychiatry
• GMC Registered Specialist in Medical Psychotherapy
• Approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)and as an Approved Clinician (AC).

Personal interests

I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, going to concerts (I particularly enjoy classical music) and exhibitions, watching movies, painting and travelling to new places.