How we will work

By exploring your feelings in a safe environment, they can start to feel less overwhelming. I believe therapy should be a reflective space where you feel heard and understood - without judgment. 

I work in a warm, collaborative way, and sessions are focused around what you bring, moving at a pace that feels right for you. In the initial consultation I’ll ask about your reasons for coming to therapy and what you’re hoping to gain, which can help in developing a plan for the work going forward. You can also ask any questions and ensure you feel comfortable with me.

The work can be open-ended, which allows for deeper exploration, or we can agree a fixed number of sessions to work on a particular issue.

Psychodynamic therapy

This way of working is based on the idea that we don’t always fully understand our emotions or why we behave in certain ways. We won’t try to change or shut down your feelings, instead by connecting more fully with your experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, perhaps offering a new perspective. We can make connections between past and present difficulties, and reflect on patterns - getting to the root of your feelings can allow for change and development, creating a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Having said this, sometimes at the beginning of therapy things feel unmanageable, and we may need to identify coping strategies, thinking about how to strengthen your inner resources and change behaviours that no longer serve you such as addiction, binge eating and self harm.

Psychodynamic therapy is based on psychoanalysis, the first form of talk therapy. There’s research evidence for the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in addressing a wide range of difficulties, such as depression, anxiety and trauma and it’s particularly beneficial for exploring relationship issues and understanding the ways we respond to others.

If you want to know more about psychodynamic therapy BACP has a good description.