Approach

I am trained and experienced in multiple therapeutic modalities, primarily humanistic, while also drawing on psychodynamic and other integrative theories. I value the perspectives that these approaches offer, but my heart is in the person-centred approach, which is rooted in empathy and phenomenological philosophy - the study of individual lived experience.

As a person-centred practitioner, I believe that my role is to listen compassionately to your feelings and needs, and to try to resonate and imagine deeply what may be happening in your life. This is a kind of slow, contemplative listening where personal judgement and criticism are simply not on the agenda. My focus is to share congruently what I am tracking in your experience and my own, so that we can form a reflective, insightful relationship based on clarity, honesty and mutual trust. 

Theory, ethics, research and humility in relation to Other ways of knowing and experiencing, inform how I assist you in exploring yourself and your world. Therapy is an opportunity to understand and value yourself, your needs, your dreams, your potential. Your therapeutic process will not be a pre-designed formula or recipe for success from a textbook. Therapy is not a transactional product that you can simply purchase; it's a human-to-human relationship held within a professional, ethical therapeutic frame.

Therapy happens through the psychological contact we make in our relationship, while reflections and changes may continue beyond our sessions and into your life. I also use reflective practice, supervision, specialist consultation and research to sustain and develop our work.

Decades of research support the effectiveness of talking therapies, however critical psychology identifies that there are structural barriers to wellbeing for many people. We may work to understand some of these limitations together, though I do not promise any particular outcomes of therapy, given the social, political and economic realities. I offer a regular time and space to be accompanied and supported through whatever you are going through, for as long as you feel this service is useful. We can usually begin to assess within the first few sessions whether therapy feels beneficial for you, and if you want to continue. Many clients do find therapy helpful, and choose to attend long-term for ongoing support with their personal growth.

If this sounds like something that might interest you, please feel free to reach out.