My Approach

I believe that just by giving ourselves time and space on a regular basis we can start to pay attention to how it is we experience the world around us. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by messages about how to live, how and who to be, I feel passionate about holding a space for you to re-connect with your inner world and to explore what it is you need. I am a great advocate of slowing things down, paying attention to pain or discomfort and listening to our internal wisdom. My role is not to tell you what to do or to give you advice, my aim is to enable you to find and make use of your own resources.

Integrative

Using a trauma informed approach I work to integrate mind and body, drawing from a range of psychotherapeutic models including Attachment Theory, Embodied Psychotherapy, Polyvagal Theory (bringing attention to the nervous system), Compassion Focused therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Gestalt psychology. As well as mind and body integration, my work explores the integration of different parts of ourselves that we perhaps have wanted to or felt the need to reject or dismiss, whether that be consciously or not. Internal Family Systems (IFS) explores our multiple parts and uses a non-pathologising approach with the aim of bringing hidden aspects of ourselves to light to promote healing through integration and interconnectedness.

"Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one's being, but by integration of the contraries." Carl Jung

Embodied

Embodied psychotherapy is about re-connecting mind and body and viewing ourselves as a whole. It works with the idea of awakening awareness within the body and using it as a tool for healing. You may get the sense that your body is holding onto something but you’re not sure what or you can’t find the words. Or you may know of the trauma you are holding onto and talking therapy hasn’t been able to help this be released.

The aim is to become more aware of your feelings and emotions by connecting with bodily sensations. This awareness can itself allow release or even just an acceptance of your experiencing can enable relief. Sometimes we may explore release through the body if it feels right - whether that’s with movement, breath-work, sound or creative exploration (i.e. drawing, symbolism or exploring dreams).

“The body is the record keeper of our experiences, and when we listen to its archives, we can heal our wounds.” Gabor Mate

Relational

One of our primary needs as human beings is to be in relationship with others and the world around us. We are driven by the need for contact and we thrive through connection and communication. Noticing what goes on between us can often be helpful in understanding more about how you are in relationship with others, informing our work.

Most of us today are living in a constant state of fight or flight due to the demands of modern day living. I aim to provide a calm and grounded presence by using my own body as a tool within our work, to support co-regulation with the aim of creating a feeling of safety.

“Connection is the antidote to the isolation that trauma creates. Through connection, we find safety, support, and the possibility of healing.” Deb Dana