Exploring thoughts, concerns, emotions and hopes in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding allows us to integrate various aspects of ourselves and create a more positive narrative about who we are and what we would like to create in our lives.
The therapeutic process often involves detangling oneself from unhelpful patterns and past experiences. I help individuals to get to the roots of their problems and process any past traumatic experiences in a safe and nurturing space. This usually results in feeling more empowered and inspired to engage with life in a new way whilst the symptoms of depression, anxiety or difficult relational patterns loosen their grip.
Therapy usually takes place weekly, at the same time and day if possible. Regularity and continuity provide a feeling of reliability and structure helping to build a trusting relationship. It can be short-term (6-12 weeks) or long-term (a few months or even years).
There can certainly be some benefits drawn from a brief course of therapy with a focused aim, e.g. how to manage a specific symptom or to talk through an isolated issue.
However, for a long-lasting, deeply transformational work it's recommended to allow more time and orient oneself towards an open-ended exploration. Albert Einstein famously said: "Problems can never be solved by the way of thinking that first created them". It's like stepping into an unknown, immersing oneself in the process itself and allowing it to naturally unfold. That way the deeper psyche can reconfigure itself beyond what we could have consciously anticipate.
It's okay to not know what your current needs are to begin with - this usually becomes clearer after a couple or a few sessions. I regularly invite my clients to reflect on their therapeutic process and review our work together.
Each therapeutic journey is unique and I continue to be in awe of the diversity of human experience. It's important to me that the people I work with feel understood, and in my practice I welcome individuals from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ community and ethical non-monogamy.
I am sensitive to the issues of belonging and otherness, and the ways in which socio-economic structures and cultural context shape our lives. In my approach I aim to be inclusive, respectful and compassionately curious.
I'm interested in women's issues, men's issues and gender roles, neurodiversity, self-esteem and confidence, body-image, chronic illness and psychosomatic health problems, work related issues and stress, burn out, relationships and intimacy. I often help my clients to restore a sense of self-worth, to find more meaning and direction in life and fulfilment in their relationships.
I have an interest in and experience of working with neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism. My approach is neuro-affirming and aimed at recognising and celebrating neurological differences as a natural part of wider human diversity. At the same time, I understand the unique challenges and setbacks that may arise for neurodivergent or highly sensitive individuals.
Oftentimes neurodivergent traits are accompanied by layers of accumulated relational trauma and an underlying fundamental sense of "not fitting in". This can manifest as severe social anxiety and a deep feeling of unworthiness or a low self-esteem.
Unpicking various aspects of what it means to have a neurodivergent body-mind in a neurotypical world can bring a sense of self-understanding and self-acceptance, which in turn can lead to living more harmoniously and in tune with who one is.
I believe psychedelic states should be approached with humility and caution, and require an intentional, ongoing, growth-oriented process grounded in trusted, guiding relationships.
The term "psychedelic" was coined in the 1950s and in literal translation means mind or soul manifesting. It signifies that psychedelic experiences can make the inner workings of the mind visible and reveal hidden healing potentials within. The current psychedelic renaissance brings about an increasing body of scientific research which show a high efficacy of different psychedelic therapies in treatment of conditions like depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders and distress related to end-of-life in individuals diagnosed with terminal illness.
I follow these developments in reasearch with a lot of interest and I understand the nature of the therapeutic opportunities linked to the expanded states of consciousness. I can support individuals with previous psychedelic and other non-ordinary experiences (e.g. following a meditation retreat or a holotropic breathwork session) to make sense of and integrate these states into one's life, while navigating the risks and difficulties that may arise during or after these journeys.
Disclaimer: Please note the use of psychedelic substances is currently illegal in the UK. I offer preparation and integration support only for harm reduction purposes. I do not encourage the use of illicit substances in unregulated and illegal frameworks.
“The curious paradox is that we cannot change until we thoroughly accept what we are. Then change seems to come about almost unnoticed.” Carl Rogers