I am an integrative therapist. This means I trained in the main traditions of psychotherapy and whilst my work draws from all of them, I am able to adapt my approach to meet the needs of the client. What feels right for one person may be different for another. Some of the theories and approaches I draw from include attachment theory, body psychotherapy, existential, feminist therapy, person-centred, psychodynamic, queer theory and relational psychoanalysis.

 

Sometimes the feelings that bring someone to therapy can be painful or distressing. Or it might be that there is an absence of or difficulty in naming feelings that feels confusing. I try not to pre-empt what therapy means for someone as each client will need and want something different. In my experience therapy can offer many things – support, containment, challenge, care, exploration, witnessing and more. As therapist I try to understand the client’s experience as they live it; I will offer questions, reflections, and ideas as we explore together but ultimately, I believe the client is the expert of their experience. I recognise that it can take time to feel safe with a new therapist and I welcome clients sharing their experience of me, so that together we can work out what is needed to feel comfortable and build trust. 

 

My approach is relational, which means I recognise the feelings that bring someone to therapy are likely to be relational – that is, experienced in relationship. I pay attention to how these feelings might be showing up in a client’s current relationships, as well as what happened in their history, going back to their earliest caregiver relationships. What happens in the therapeutic relationship can also offer important information about the client’s relational experience.  

 

Taking a relational approach also means I also adopt a non-pathologising stance – that is, especially where trauma is concerned, I tend not to see emotional problems as located within individuals but in the relationships and social and political structures in which we exist. I also make space for the body in therapy, which is a vital aspect of trauma-informed support. My practice is queer and trans affirmative, and I am committed to anti-oppressive practice.

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