How I work
What to expect from the first session
At its heart, therapy is a conversation. The first session is a chance to meet, talk about what brings you here and see what working together might be like. I’ll ask questions to help us explore what’s been going on for you, and you can also ask about therapy and how I work.
What happens in therapy
I'm interested in the connections between past and present, and how our experiences can shape the ways we understand ourselves, relate to others and respond to difficulties.
Becoming more aware of patterns that may have their roots in earlier experiences can create space for change. But therapy isn't only about gaining insight. It's also about what happens as we work together — the feelings that emerge, how we respond to them, and what we discover in the process.
In our sessions, we might look at your current relationships, consider how you respond when things are difficult, or pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. We might also explore questions of identity and belonging, experiences that have shaped your sense of who you are, or broader questions about meaning, purpose and how you want to live.
The therapeutic relationship
The relationship we build in therapy is an important part of the work. I aim to offer a space where you can talk openly about what you are going through, including things that may be difficult to share with others or make sense of on your own.
The relationship between us can also become part of what we explore. Patterns that appear in other relationships may sometimes emerge in therapy, giving us an opportunity to notice and understand them together.
The wider context
What we experience is shaped not only by our personal histories and relationships, but also by the world we live in. I’m mindful of how our backgrounds, identities and circumstances can affect our lives, including how we are seen and treated by others.
My approach
As an integrative therapist, I use different approaches and adapt how we work to what feels most relevant to you. My work is trauma-informed and draws on psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, transpersonal and body-oriented perspectives.
Session length and frequency
Sessions are 50 minutes long and usually take place weekly. Meeting regularly provides continuity and allows the work to develop over time.
I understand that travel, work, money or other commitments can sometimes make a fixed weekly time difficult. Where needed, we can discuss whether another arrangement might be possible.
The length of therapy
How long we work together can vary. We might have a few sessions with a particular focus, or work together for longer when there is more to explore.
We can think together about what might be helpful for you and either agree on a set number of sessions or work on an open-ended basis.