Philosophy
I believe that our emotional lives are shaped through relationships and experience. Many of the ways we think, feel and respond to the world develop over time as ways of coping, adapting or protecting ourselves.
Sometimes these patterns continue to influence us long after the original circumstances have changed, leaving us feeling stuck or overwhelmed or unsure why certain situations feel particularly difficult.
I see therapy as a space to slow things down and understand these patterns in a safe and manageable way. When we are able to make sense of our experiences, we often begin to feel less alone and more able to respond to ourselves and others in ways that feel steadier and more authentic.
I do not see people as needing to be "fixed". Rather, I believe that with the right support, we can come to better understand ourselves allowing us to live with greater clarity, self-acceptance and choice.
Expertise
I am qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist having completed my clinical training at the University of Kent. I am registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), a Professional Standards Authority accredited register.
I have over 16 years' experience of providing therapeutic support to individuals and organisations, working with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.
I work with adults experiencing:
- anxiety and chronic worry
- relationship difficulties
- separation, divorce and co-parenting challenges
- low mood
- ADHD traits and overwhelm related to neurodiversity
- identity questions and life transitions
- feeling high-functioning but internally struggling
- grief, loss and bereavement
I also offer therapy to young people aged 11-18 who may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, friendship difficulties, school pressures, identity questions or family change.
I have experience supporting clients navigating complex emotional situations with sensitivity, care and professionalism.
Therapy can be helpful whether you are facing a specific difficulty or simply feel that something is not quite right.
Approach
My approach is relational and integrative, meaning I draw on a range of psychological ideas depending on what feels most helpful for each individual. I am particularly interested in how early experiences, relationships and environments shape the way we feel about ourselves and how we connect with others. Sometimes patterns that once helped us cope can begin to feel restrictive or difficult, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck.
Together we explore these experiences with care and curiosity, helping you develop a clearer and more compassionate understanding of yourself.
I aim to offer a calm, thoughtful and non-judgemental space where you can speak openly and begin to make sense of what is happening for you.
Therapy may involve exploring;
- patterns in relationships
- emotional responses and triggers
- self-criticism and feelings of not being "good enough"
- anxiety, overwhelm or feeling stuck
- identity and life transitions
I do not offer quick fixes or surface-level strategies alone. Instead I work collaboratively with you to develop a deeper level of understanding that can lead to meaningful and lasting change.
Some sessions may feel reflective, others more exploratory. The pace of the therapy is guided by you.