My Philosophy
Being human is a complicated affair
Being human is complicated. We’re born into a body, family and world we don’t choose. We’re told how we need to be and what path to follow. If that wasn't challenging enough, we also have to endure the pain, loss and suffering that life so frequently brings.
In order to manage this suffering, we develop all sorts of defence mechanisms to keep us safe. These also function to safeguard our authentic Self from a world that might have been unfair, scary or cruel. However, these very forms of protection tend to alienate us from who we really are and contribute to the
development of 'symptoms'. This can look different for everyone, but common ways it tends to shows up are a loss of purpose/meaning in life, a general sense of anxiety without a clear cause, repeated painful relational patterns, or an unclear sense of identity.
The options for how this fundamental disconnect manifest are infinite, but what they generally point towards is a need to rediscover aspects of ourselves that we gradually lost touch with. This allows a process of intergration so that we can become more whole and aligned with who we're meant to be.
The personal is always political
We don’t experience the world in the same way.
Surrounding us is a blend of oppressive social systems like heterosexism, cisgenderism, monosexism, sexism, racism, classism, and ableism, all of which make us more or less privileged compared to others.
This shapes our experience in ways that need to be acknowledged and thought about.
My approach always considers the problem at hand within the social context it exists in. I take an intersectional perspective which allows me to consider the ways in which all of our "social positions" interact to influence your experience.
My Approach
I don’t believe in the “one size fits all” approach to therapy. Everyone’s different and so what works for you won’t necessarily work for someone else.
I was trained to think in an integrative way (combining different models of therapy). I have now come to specialise in long-term trauma-informed psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I also offer Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT).
The psychodynamic/psychoanalytic perspective is exploratory in nature and non-directive. It aims to help people become aware of the unconscious aspects of their behaviour, thoughts and feelings. This approach is most suited to those who want to explore and understand the ways in which the past might be influencing the present and current difficulties.
For more information about psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy, please follow this link:
https://www.bpc.org.uk/information-support/what-is-therapy/
Please note -
I will initially offer an in-depth assessment (which tends to take place over a couple of appointments). Following this, we will have a conversation about whether a psychodynamic/psychoanalytic approach is suited, or whether another therapy might be more indicated.
Fees
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Standard individual fee per appointment: £160
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Standard fee for couples and multiple partnered people: £200-£250
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Limited space available to those in financial need: £75
Payment method by monthly bank transfer.
You will have a weekly time dedicated to you. Any cancelled sessions will still be charged in full.