This is what I do

I support my clients in stepping into the different parts that make up who they are. As we go through life we may become defined by a particular experience, role or label which can cause us to view ourselves in a narrow way. My aim is to provide you with an environment in which you can share the burden of those things and begin to discover, or to rediscover, the parts of you that have been hiding.

As you and I work together we may become aware of patterns that exist in your life that are unhelpful, or possibly harmful to you. I have noticed that these patterns tend to change naturally as we develop our understanding and acceptance of ourselves.  I will never tell you what to do – I believe that you are the expert on you, and I see it as part of my job to help you discover that.

I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-worth and a lack or loss of identity. I understand the isolation, stigma and the fears than can accompany these issues. I have experience of working with clients who are dealing with painful life changes such as separation and bereavement, as well as clients who have lived with hidden issues for many years including childhood abuse and domestic violence.

And this is how…

I listen, really listen, so that I can understand how you see yourself and your world. Clients have shared with me how important it is that someone “gets” them, without judgement, and that is the cornerstone of my work. I work gently, at your pace, so that our work together is guided by what works best for you. Like a number of my clients I have found that “overthinking” something is usually frustrating and unproductive, so I like to use a variety of techniques in my work to help us break that cycle. For example:

  • Describing feelings or experiences in metaphors and images
  • Pausing to notice the physical sensations that accompany thoughts and feelings
  • Sometimes I introduce theories or models that can be used to help us understand what you are experiencing
  • Trying out strategies to ease anxiety, such as breathing exercises and using senses
  • Gently exploring the context or background that may have contributed to patterns of thought or behaviour