Frequently asked questions
What is psychodynamic therapy? What does experiential therapy mean?
As a psychodynamic therapist, I pay attention to unconscious relational processes between us and find links between what feels distressful for you in the present and what occurred in the past. I also practice experientially, which means I stay close to your felt experience and help you bring words to the implicit and not-yet-spoken.
How does therapy help people change?
I view therapeutic change as embodied, relational and non-linear. In other words, therapy helps us change when we connect to feelings at a bodily level while in the context of a trusting relationship. It takes place non-linearly: sometimes we may think we're going 'backwards' or not moving, but there's a kind of organismic change percolating underneath, like compost fertilizing soil.
What should I be prepared for?
There's no need to prepare for therapy. Just arrive and we'll take it from there. It can be helpful to hold an awareness that therapy often involves stages of unraveling before we feel integrated and ‘ourselves’ again. This can feel confronting and disarming as we call into question protections (i.e. addictions, denial/distortions and other defenses) that once kept us safe but are no longer helpful.
Do couples sessions look any different?
Couples sessions are 60 minutes long and cost £100. I use an emotionally focused therapy model (for more information, see https://iceeft.com/what-is-eft/ ) My aim is to help couples track their unhelpful cycles, de-escalate conflict, become aware of and responsive to each other's attachment needs and integrate these changes at an experiential level.
What are your specializations?
I specialize in working with people who are grappling with trauma/neglect, persistent pain, sex/sexuality-related concerns and sexual violence. I also specialize in couples therapy.
What are your qualifications?
- Doctorate in Psychotherapy (University of Edinburgh)
- Certificate in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Consera Wellness)
- Psychosexual Therapy Certificate (Tavistock)
- Facilitating Reflective Practice (Tavistock)