Working Together
My approach is integrative, open ended and relational with no minimum time commitment and no limitation on number of sessions. I value therapeutic pluralism, meaning that I respond to my clients’ individual needs and integrate concepts from a range of psychodynamic and humanistic therapies, rather than working from a single theoretical model or generic framework.
Where appropriate, I introduce theory, psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic tools, but my primary focus is on emotional attunement, listening actively and engaging without judgement or expectation. This means that I am fully present and responsive to you as an individual, providing space and time for you to explore difficult experiences in a way that feels safe and meaningful to you.
I value working with an awareness of intersectionality, that each of the elements of our identity including cultural background, religious and spiritual beliefs, sexuality, and gender identity shape the way that we experience the world. Your experience of life is uniquely yours and therefore my way of working will be unique to your experience of therapy.
Whether open ended or short term, I will never attempt to direct you, diagnose, or simplify your experience. I am always open to discussing how our work is going for you and responding to what’s working and what’s not, our work together is an open and fluid dialogue.
I can support with:
Abuse
Anxiety
Attachment
Bereavement
Bereavement by suicide
Burnout
Coping with a diagnosis
Depression
Emotional abuse
Family issues
Feeling lost
Grief
Identity questions
Jealousy
Loneliness
Low self-confidence
Relationship issues
Searching for purpose
Self-harm
Separation and divorce
Sexuality
Suicidal thoughts
Traumatic experiences
Work-related stress
Why come to therapy?
When thinking about what has brought you to therapy, you may be experiencing difficulties in relationships, dynamics with family, friends, or challenges in your career. You might be searching for a purpose. You might be dealing with traumatic events, loss, or bereavement.
You could be feeling anxious, stuck, frustrated, or lonely. It’s possible that you find yourself going through the motions at work, university or at home but may be feeling numb or disconnected from others. Perhaps you can’t name what it is that you’re experiencing but feel that your life is not where you’d like it to be.
Some people come to therapy to gain a greater understanding of their psychological processes, work through a difficult experience, explore the relationship between mind and body or to contemplate issues of identity. Others can’t say exactly why they come to therapy; this is completely natural. There is no ‘right’ way to be a client in therapy, just bring yourself. I will listen and meet you where you are, with acceptance and interest in your whole humanity.
Short Term Counselling or Open Ended therapy: working to fit your needs and circumstances
As well as open-ended, long-term therapy, I am available to work in short term counselling, supporting you to manage a current situation, support with a change or transition or to provide an empathic listening space as you find a course of action that feels right for you. Short term counselling can also support with grounding and preparing you for taking on new challenges or responding to the immediate impacts of a difficult experience such as a relationship breakdown, change of job role or career direction, or episode of physical or mental illness.
“Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror…
No feeling is final”
— Rainer Maria Rilke
