Well Being is a Fragile Balancing Act

We are self-relating beings, inextricably connected to others and the world as a whole. This state of inter-dependency can enrich our lives, but it also makes us vulnerable: our needs, wishes, and choices inevitably meet those of others, sometimes bringing connection and sometimes tensions and conflict. Our inner lives too are rarely harmonious. We may find ourselves pulled in different directions by conflicting feelings, fears, and expectations, struggling to find our footing within ourselves and in our relationships. At times our distress can become overwhelming: fear, grief, shame, or anger may feel unbearable leading to the experience of acute stress, anxiety, or depression. A confidential therapeutic space offers the opportunity to attend to these experiences with curiosity, openness, and compassion at a pace we can manage. Our work may begin with finding ways to feel more grounded when emotions overwhelm us. Through dialogue, we can begin to make sense of what troubles us, explore how we relate to ourselves and others, and consider what gives us direction and meaning. 

My work is inherently interdisciplinary; it draws on my trainings in Counselling Psychology and Existential Psychotherapy alongside attachment theory, developmental psychology and Trauma-Related approaches that are informed by advances in neuroscience. I am also a Level 2 certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist. You can read further on approaches on Trauma and IFS by clicking the following links: here and here.

My way of working is grounded in dialogue. Through close attention and exploration, we examine your experiences always aiming at making the implicit - explicit. True to our interdependence such exploration brings to the fore your family relational dynamics as well as the wider context of society and culture. We attend to feelings, assumptions, and expectations that may be difficult to recognise yet exert a powerful influence on how you experience yourself and others. This includes noticing what emerges between us in the therapeutic relationship, where familiar difficulties may become available for closer examination.  

I offer an initial block of six sessions, followed by a review of our work. This gives you an opportunity to reflect on whether the work is helpful to you. Together, we consider the emotional and relational patterns that have emerged and how they may contribute to your distress and difficulties. From there, we agree on the focus, frequency, and likely duration of therapy revising these as the work develops.