How I Work

In Ancient Greek, the word θεραπεία (therapeía) means care, attention and service. I like this original meaning because it is close to how I see therapy: caring for another person with presence, attention and respect. My role is to bring what I know and the resources I have to our work together, while trusting in your ability to find your own way forward.

We all come to therapy with a history. Over time, we learn different ways of relating to others, adapting to what happens and, sometimes, protecting ourselves. These ways of coping often developed because we needed them at some point in our lives. But what helped us then may not always be what we need now.

The therapeutic relationship

The relationship we build in therapy is an important part of the work. It can give you the safety and acceptance you need to approach difficult experiences without pushing yourself or going too fast. Feeling genuinely heard and accepted without judgement can also help you listen to yourself differently, accept more of who you are, and feel increasingly able to be yourself.

A humanistic integrative approach

My approach is person-centred, humanistic and integrative, with Carl Rogers’ work at its core. I also draw on Gestalt therapy, body-based and experiential work, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), attachment theory, relational wounds and inner child work. I use these approaches according to the person and what emerges in therapy, rather than following a fixed set of techniques.

Over time, what you learn about yourself and develop in therapy can become something you carry into everyday life: in how you listen to yourself, relate to yourself and others, and make choices that feel more true to who you are.