How I work
I trained as an integrative therapist at The Metanoia Institute in West London.
Integrative therapists begin with an understanding of their own philosophical ‘position’ about life and then spend a lot of time exploring and understanding how to grow this position into a therapeutic practice which is both congruent with our hearts and also rooted in robust theory, experiential learning, and observably good outcomes for our clients, as well as reflection and growth for ourselves.
The universe works like an organism, not a mechanism
My fundamental belief as a person of faith and as a human being is a contemplative position. Everything belongs and is connected to everything else. The universe works like an organism, not a mechanism. There is a fundamental unity in all things and consciousness is a shared space as well as an individual journey. Therapy is not about mending broken mental processes it’s about restoring the relationality that got lost when we were hurt.
This leads me to take a holistic view of you as my client. Co-creating a space where we can work together to notice what happens to you in your body, your emotions and your relationships, and listen in together to how you have curated the story you tell about your life. We also might notice what happens in the relationship between you and I.
The sacred space of the therapy room allows unconscious things which have been out of sight to emerge and it allows us to see where things have become disconnected and how we might reconnect with what is needed or longed for.
It is essential for me as a therapist to show up in an authentic and down to earth way.
The boundaries of time, space, and personal disclosure are important as they create the safety and reassurance of a professional relationship but inside that framework, you will meet a real human being who is listening hard, who responds with warmth and mutuality, and who is ready to be impacted by whatever you bring to my door. You can expect me to have done my own work and to be honest about my own uncertainties.
I can be quite earthy.
I like the idea of ‘re-wilding’ of the self in therapy. You might or might not like that.
I work with transference and unconscious processes, but I don’t use either to avoid the big feelings that emerge in therapy. Love is love. Fear is fear. You will be challenged - and supported to meet the challenge - with kindness and warmth.