Cara Lester MBACP (she/her)

• Provide phenomenological-existential therapy to adults, couples, and polycules, with particular focus on gender, sexuality, relationships, embodiment, and identity exploration.
• Offer collaborative, client-led approach supporting clients to engage with questions of meaning, freedom, responsibility, shame, and relational challenges within context of lived experience.
• Integrate existential philosophy with embodied awareness, focusing-oriented practice, narrative therapy, and intersectional perspectives to support authenticity, resilience, and personal growth.
• Create non-judgmental, affirming therapeutic space attentive to diversity, social context, and impact of marginalisation and shame.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice (individual, group, and peer supervision) remaining connected to contemporary existential theory, emerging therapeutic approaches and nurturing therapeutic community, with both colleagues and clients.

• Provided compassionate front-of-house support within mental health setting, creating warm, containing, and professional environment for both inpatients and outpatients.
• Supported individuals experiencing mental health difficulties through admissions, triage calls, and psychotherapy appointment check-ins, demonstrating sensitivity, emotional attunement, and ability to respond calmly to distress.
• Observed group therapy sessions within addictions, eating disorders, and OCD units, deepening understanding of relational dynamics, clinical practice, and diverse experiences of psychological suffering.
• Fostered trust and psychological safety through attentive interpersonal engagement, maintaining non-judgmental and supportive presence within multidisciplinary care environment.

Transferable Skills:

• Built and maintained long-term relationships with major clients including Wimbledon, Chelsea FC, and The Jockey Club, demonstrating empathy, trust-building, and strong interpersonal awareness.
• Worked collaboratively with clients and champion wine brands to understand individual needs, using active listening and tailored communication to navigate complex challenges and strengthen partnerships.
• Adapted proactively to client feedback and changing market trends within £8M national sales portfolio, showing reflective practice, responsiveness, and commitment to meaningful outcomes.

Transferable Skills:

• Managed and developed relationships across 100+ premium London hospitality accounts, including Ottolenghi, Caprice, Iberica, and Daisy Green, demonstrating strong relational skills, adaptability, and emotional awareness across diverse environments.
• Used active listening and collaborative communication to create bespoke wine lists, deliver staff training, and host events in both English and Spanish, supporting connection, understanding, and meaningful engagement.
• Navigated complex logistical and interpersonal challenges through reflective problem-solving, cross-team collaboration, and careful organisation, while balancing account management, new business development, and client care.

Transferable Skills:

• Managed international relationships across suppliers, distributors, and export/import partners in Argentina, USA, Uruguay, and Australia, demonstrating cultural sensitivity, communication skills, and ability to build trust across diverse settings.
• Supported and mentored staff through training, collaboration, and reflective leadership, contributing to improved customer experience, stronger team practice, and increased client satisfaction.
• Navigated complex operational, financial, and logistical challenges with adaptability and problem-solving, balancing strategic planning, negotiation, and interpersonal coordination within fast-paced environment.