Therapeutic Approach
I value curiosity, compassion, kindness, creativity and courage. My approach to therapy is to collaborate with clients, and choose therapeutic strategies based on your needs and temperament, with a keen eye on what tends to work (the “evidence”) . I am informed by theory, research and evidence from the fields of Psychology, Attachment Theory, Developmental Neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology and Neuropsychology. In particular I have been influenced by the work of Daniel Siegel, Bessel van der Kolk, Ron Kurtz, Peter Levine, Allan Schore, Stephen Porges, Richard Schwartz, Gabor Mate, and Tara Brach.
I adopt a holistic framework that recognises that the mind and body are interconnected, and that our early attachment experiences shape brain development and the calibration of the nervous system; and hence influence our perceptions, the extent to which we can sense our emotions and trust our instincts, and the way in which we think, feel, respond and relate to ourselves, others, and the world. My philosophy is Trauma Sensitive integrating current research in the Neuroscience of Trauma with somatic, sensorimotor and mindfulness based interventions.
Across 22 years of clinical practice I have trained in disciplines that delve into the cognitive, behavioural, social, relational, contemplative, spiritual, somatic and biological aspects of human psychology. These include:
Internal Family Systems
Schema Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Psychobiological Approaches to Couples Therapy