Hey, I’m glad you’ve come this far. I’m going to tell you about me, and what a therapy session with me will be like, so that daunting task of booking an appointment might be just that tiny bit easier. Because here’s the thing. I have all the privilege of a cis woman -not to mention all the knowledge of a psych – and when I went to find a new psych for myself the other day – I found it really hard, and a bit scary.

My privilege allowed me to choose anyone out there. I imagine for many of you, your choice of psychs is pretty limited. But that doesn’t change your need to find someone who is just right for you.

Your experience with me

Sessions usually start out relaxed and casual. I’ve tried to make the therapy room homey, and I want you to feel relaxed. So lounge back, put your feet on the chair, do what you need to to feel at ease. If you’re at home, kepp you trackies on, wear your jammies, I don’t care!

Personally and professionally, people have most commonly described me as gentle (most common) and calm (second most common). The calm part hasn’t always been true but I somehow pulled off the appearance (think a duck floating peacefully with feet paddling madly underneath!) Nowadays I’m much more peaceful above and below the water if you know what I mean, thanks to a lot of therapy (note the sublte product placement!)

Here are the things that I place high importance on in therapy

• Making you feel, that no matter what you say, no matter what you feel, no matter what you’ve done or have said in the past, it’s ok to say it, there’s no judgement, just acceptance.
• I aim to understand you and ‘get you’ as deeply as I can. I don’t always get there, but I’ll keep trying.
• I believe you. Period. I’m not interested in ‘his’ perspective or ‘hers’, or ‘theirs’, or ‘mum’ or ‘dad’s’. It’s not that their point of view is irrelevant, bit it’s your perception that matters in therapy.
• If you feel it, that it’s right. Your feelings aren’t wrong. They can be out of proportion, or under proportion, but they aren’t wrong. They have important information, so I’ll always suggest paying attention and seeing what they have to tell you.
• I care about my clients and I invest in your healing. You are not numbers to me.

Your psychotherapy experience with me

I try to make the first session as comfortable as possible. I usually mention something about what I’ve read on your history form, as a way of breaking the ice and opening the session. Some people know exactly where and how to start and others aren’t nearly so sure. For those in the second group, you might hear me say something like “you don’t need to tell me all of it today, it will all come out as it needs to” or “why don’t you start with the things that are causing the most problems right now”.

Emotion Focused Therapy

I use Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) which is a vast and complex therapy, but essentially, means that emotional experience and emotional processing are seen as the most important aspects of psychological health, healing and therefore therapy. Below, I’ve listed some of the experiences that you may have in therapy with me. However, it’s your therapy, so if something is not for you, I’ll tailor it to your preferences.

• Helping you reconnect with your emotions, or reconnect more with your emotions
• Become accepting of your emotions understand what they are telling you.
• Help you get in touch with what is painful, and how it affects you, and get in touch with other emotions that can help that pain.

EFT is experiential, which means instead of just talking about things that have happened, I will help you actively connect with, and process your emotions in the session. The approach often uncovers underlying issues that are not easily accessible through talking.

If any of that connects with you of peaks your interest, go ahead and fill out the enquiry form below. There’s no obligation. Just tell me a bit about yourself and what is going on, I’ll send you some information about my services, including costs etc., and you can feel welcome to ask any questions you might have.