A Long-Term or Short-Term Integrative, Collaborative & Supportive Therapeutic Experience
As an Integrative therapist I pull theoretical as well as practical techniques from a number of different modalities in order to best serve the needs of my clients. I focus on being client-centred (ie. you lead the way) so that the atmosphere in the room is always one that’s collaborative and helpful. I aim for full transparency in any experiential work I am doing with you like mindfullness, meditation and grounding techniques that can be useful especially when we are dealing with trauma. In the 30 minute consultation we will discuss your needs in the present and anything you feel is immediately relevant from your past then I can tentatively let you know a few ways I might approach our work together, this way we can both come to a decision about if it feels right to move forward and begin therapy. If it sounds like we might not be a good fit, I will always signpost you towards colleagues that may be better equipped to help you. The relationship between us is as important as the work itself.
Once we both agree to work together, we can then decide on an open-ended session model (within which there are no set number of sessions and our time together may span several months or years) or a short-term session model where we choose 8,12 or 16 sessions to work towards, always with the option of extending should you wish to. There is always flexibility within this framework but I do suggest a minimum of 8 sessions to begin with, this gives me a chance to get to know you and start to identify how we can improve things.
My practice is inclusive and I work closely within the BACP code of ethics to ensure diversity and equal access to mental health are handled with sensitivity and flexibility where possible.
Some of the ways I might work with you…
Person-Centred
A person enters person centered therapy in a state of incongruence. It is the role of the therapists to reverse this situation. Carl Rogers (1959) called his therapeutic approach client-centered or person-centered therapy because of the focus on the person’s subjective view of the world. Of utmost importance is the quality of the relationship between client and therapist. A client centred therapist’s attitude towards sessions might be to focus on empathic listening, accepting, understanding and sharing.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You're shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapists attempt to help clients find patterns in their emotions, thoughts, and beliefs in order to gain insight into their current self. These patterns are often found to begin in the client’s childhood since psychodynamic theory holds that early life experiences are extremely influential in the psychological development and functioning of an adult. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help the client identify important pieces of the puzzle that makes them who they are and rearrange them in ways that allow the client to form a more functional and positive sense of self.
Somatic
Somatic therapy is a form of “body-centered” therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both psychotherapy and physical therapies for holistic healing. In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that is negatively affecting your physical and emotional wellbeing.
As a therapist I aim to support those in need through difficult periods of transition. I am particularly interested in developmental and attachment theory around our childhood experiences and how they shape who we are today. As part of my training I have, myself, been in therapy so truly understand how it can feel to be the client. I am passionate about creating and protecting space for others to process their past and present as well as step into their future.
The work I aim to do with clients reflects my personal beliefs around the connection between the mind and body, that every client already possesses the resources they need to help themselves so it’s my job to help access/harness them and that my role is to facilitate positive change.
I am BACP registered, have a Bsc in Psychology, masters in The Psychodynamics of Human Development and a PGDip in Psychotherapy and Counselling. I have worked in many different clinical settings and currently continue a placement in a hospice. In the future I aim to undertake a doctorate as well as a formal training in Jungian Psychoanalysis.