Philosophy
I approach therapy as a collaborative and relational process wherein its most powerful aspect is having a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients.
I would endeavour to guide and accompany you in building resilience and fortitude to prevail over your internal conflicts and external challenges, make peace with the past, and find the courage to move forward and lead a fulfilling life.
I believe in the power of the mind and the narrative of the stories we develop and experience as our lives. I stress the importance of mindfulness by truly being in the present to reduce automatic responses that come from the unconscious defences we developed in childhood to protect ourselves from feeling unsafe. These defences have usually ceased to be helpful and are now in the way of becoming our true authentic selves.
I view trauma as the root cause of many mental health issues and seek to understand your childhood and relationships with your caregivers.
I appreciate the uniqueness of each individual – we all encounter the world through the prism of our background and experiences. I value each person’s story within the sociocultural context and tailor my approach to your needs.
I am particularly interested in identity - transcultural and intersectional issues such as race, gender and sexuality - as well as psychosexual and relationship issues.
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Theories
As an integrative therapist, I share the underlying optimistic view of humanistic theory just as I am energised by the highly developed and remarkably accurate ideas of the psychodynamic model. My way of being with my clients is entirely relational and influenced by Carl Rogers' person-centred approach, whilst strongly adhering to the psychodynamic school of exploring your childhood, relationships - particularly with your primary caregiver - and the feeling and energy of the environment you grew up in.
We can explore your attachment styles, how you communicate within the transactional analysis model, your body language and how you see your childhood experiences from the here-and-now within the Gestalt model, and the links and patterns from your childhood to your current circumstances. I am guided by Petruska Clarkson’s 5 Relational Model and believe there is always at least one of the five interactions happening during a session, paying particular attention to the transference and countertransference relationship between us. I draw upon the humanistic and psychodynamic models equally, along with aspects from other modalities, including dream analysis, psychoeducation and a bit of CBT. I also look at Jung’s synchronicity as I’ve found that it happens often in my own life.
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Qualifications
MBACP in full compliance with its ethical framework and best practice guidance
PG AdvDip Humanistic Integrative College CPPD
COSRT registered student
BA (Hons) International Relations, Boston University
I am fully insured, supported by a UKCP-registered clinical supervisor, a COSRT-registered clinical supervisor for couple & relationship work, and engage in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
Prior to retraining as a therapist, I worked in the fashion industry in New York, and in apparel and merchandise in Ibiza, in companies ranging from multinational corporations to smaller businesses.