I trained as an integrative counsellor, bring together different therapeutic approaches in response to each person’s individual needs. My training included humanistic, psychodynamic and intercultural approaches, giving me a foundation for understanding how our experiences, relationships, identity and culture can shape how we feel and relate to ourselves and others.
I have also come to understand that our experiences are not held only in the mind, but can be felt and expressed through the body. Trauma, overwhelm and deeply held beliefs can influence our nervous system, emotions, physical sensations and patterns of thinking, sometimes creating cycles that are difficult to shift through talking alone. My training and personal practice in somatic and polyvagal-informed approaches allows me to draw on EFT, grounding, breath and nature-based practices to support regulation and ease stress and anxiety.
My further training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers another way of understanding the multiplicity within us — the different parts, roles and sometimes ‘masks’ we develop to navigate life. We can become curious about these parts, what they may be protecting, and how we might relate to ourselves with greater compassion and choice.
At the heart of all of this is a person-centred relationship — deep listening, compassion, authenticity and a non-judgemental approach. I don’t simply apply a particular technique or model; our work develops collaboratively around what you value and what emerges within our sessions.
Therapy doesn't always have to rely on words. Where it feels helpful, we can use imagery, metaphor, objects, creativity, the body or the natural world to explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words
You may like to explore the approaches we may use and in more detail below with links to videos. I have provided a Resources page to where you can access some audio invitations. A series of downloadable audio recordings to support your wellbeing.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with focused attention on thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. It can offer a practical way to support emotional regulation and explore difficult experiences. Matrix Reimprinting builds on EFT by using imagery and compassionate reflection to revisit the meaning attached to past experiences, allowing new perspectives and emotional responses to emerge.
We may notice that a particular situation brings up anxiety, self-criticism or a strong emotional reaction. We can use gentle tapping while staying curious about the thoughts, feelings and sensations that arise, helping you remain grounded as we explore what may sit beneath the response. Where appropriate, Matrix Re-imprinting can introduce imagery and compassion to help you relate differently to an earlier experience and the beliefs connected with it.
I find this this technique can create new beliefs about situatins from the past and also beliefs about ourselves in the present. I can also show you how you can use this for every day mental health first aid. I upload resources for you to follow with sound narration with specific themes which you can find on the resource page.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is based on the idea of multiplicity of self — that rather than having one fixed self, we naturally experience different parts of ourselves, each with their own feelings, beliefs and ways of responding. Some parts develop protective roles, often in response to difficult or overwhelming experiences, and may show up as anxiety, self-criticism, perfectionism, avoidance or a need to stay in control. IFS approaches these parts with curiosity and compassion, recognising that even difficult behaviours may have developed with a protective intention.
You may notice notice a part of you that feels anxious, critical, angry or wants to withdraw. Together, we can gently explore it through conversation, body awareness, imagery or objects, becoming curious about what it is protecting and what it may need. This can help develop a more compassionate relationship with ourselves, creating less overwhelm, internal conflict and more presense and wellbeng.
EMDR is a trauma-informed therapy structured around an eight-phase model, beginning with understanding your experiences and developing resources for safety and emotional regulation before moving towards processing difficult memories. Using bilateral stimulation — such as guided eye movements or alternating taps — EMDR supports the processing of experiences that may continue to feel emotionally present or “stuck”. The eight phases provide a framework for working carefully and at a pace appropriate to the individual
We might begin by developing grounding and supportive resources before identifying an experience, feeling or belief to work with. During processing, you may be invited to notice thoughts, emotions, images and body sensations while using bilateral stimulation. Rather than having to describe everything in detail, we follow what naturally emerges, allowing new connections, perspectives and responses to develop. Working with your different neural pathways and channels you are able to focus on releasing held trauma in the frontal cortex of your brain (the amagdala where unprocessed trauma is held in the fight, flight, freeze response). Once you feel you nolonger have a reaction to it, your mindset can release the held fears and limtied beliefs.
Nature can offer another way of slowing down, regulating the nervous system and reconnecting with ourselves. My approach is influenced by Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing), the Japanese practice of slowing down and immersing ourselves in the natural environment through the senses.
A growing body of research suggests that time spent in forest environments may support wellbeing, with studies reporting benefits including reduced stress and anxiety and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Nature connection can complement talking therapy by offering another way of noticing what is happening within us and finding a sense of grounding and perspective.
Nature connection doesn't have to mean walking through a forest. A session might involve walking or sitting outdoors, slowing down and noticing through the senses, or using something in the natural environment as a metaphor for what is happening internally.
When we work online, we can also bring nature-therapy principles into our sessions wherever you are. I can offer simple sensory and nature-connection invitations to explore between sessions, alongside my own guided Forest Bathing audio recordings, helping you develop practices that can become part of everyday life.