My Philosophy
Being human is a complicated affair
We’re essentially thrown into a pre-existing world and expected to make it work. We’re told that there are “normal” and “abnormal” ways of being and behaving, and if we don’t quite fit the norm – then there’s something wrong with us. If navigating life and its challenges wasn’t already a tricky task, then adding a bit of shame to the mix truly does the job.
The fact is – we don’t fit into the neat binary categories of “good” vs “bad”, or "well" vs "unwell". We are layered and complex beings. The labels we assign to ourselves are only illusions designed to help us manage the uncertainty of life.
We're always in a process of changing or becoming different. Problems emerge when we forget this. We forget how fluid we are capable of being and how amenable to change we really are. We become fixed like the rocks beneath a flowing river – stuck.
Regaining fluidity in how we see ourselves and the world around us is key if we want to break free from prescribed and entrenched ways of living.
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 specialise in open-ended and long-term therapy. We will collaborate to decide whether or not we would be a good fit.
In terms of who I work with, I have a focus on clients from the Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diverse (GSRD) community, however, my practice is open to all.
My approach is grounded in four main “models” of therapy which I integrate to different degrees:
-
Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
-
Person-centred therapy
-
Trauma therapy
-
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
The psychodynamic lens underpins most of my style. In practice, it means that I aim to get an in-depth understanding of your relational patterns, internal world and unconscious processes. This can allow us to gain insight into your life situation, so that you can start to make choices that are more in line with your values and goals.
The trauma lens brings the impact of trauma on the nervous system to the forefront of my mind. I will adjust my interventions to make sure that you feel safe and emotionally contained during our work. This could include emotion regulation strategies if necessary.
In some case, I will draw on cognitive-behavioural principles as a way of shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Finally, I have completed training in Health Psychology and Biochemistry which offered me a solid understanding of what 'good' health might look like, and how our behaviour contributes to ill health (and mental health). My approach aims to consider mental and physical health alongside each other so you have the best chance of getting to where you want to be.
Fees
-
Initial consultation free (online or telephone)
-
Standard individual fee: £150-£180
-
Standard fee for couples and multiple partnered people: £200-£250
-
Limited space available to those in financial need: £75
Payment method will be agreed during the first session.
Cancelled sessions require 7 days notice, or the full cost of
the session will incur.