In the heart of difficulty we can find our deepest potential.
Being alive in a body is no easy ride! In the flow of Life we inevitably encounter a range of adverse circumstances which vary in intensity. Sometimes this gives rise to difficult, painful or overwhelming feelings that we may not have the support to process and move through at the time. This often happens in the context of an interpersonal relationship, especially early in life when we are most vulnerable. But it can also occur as a result of an accident, illness, crime, war or pandemic. In such situations our instinctive - and often sub-conscious - reaction may be to use various strategies to try and protect ourselves from harm or emotional overwhelm. These can become fixed coping strategies that persist in our lives which have unintended negative consequences and limit the expression of our deepest potential. Furthermore, sometimes we may find ourselves overcome with difficult or painful feelings that are not wholly to do with our current situation. All of this is often, but not always, what motivates people to seek therapy:
It can be incredibly difficult to find our way through challenges such as these. You may intuit that there could be more to your life, but are afraid of exploring what feels painful, difficult or shameful. None of this is a sign of failure or weakness. It is part of the landscape of this human experience that shows us that we need to understand more about ourselves if we wish to live a really meaningful and satisfying life. Reaching out to a counsellor or psychotherapist for support is an empowering step to take - you are choosing to meet the difficulty and begin a process of healing and growth.
I provide a safe, confidential relationship within which you can explore those aspects of your experience that you need support with. I work with the intuitive understanding that we all have the ability to meet any experience with an open heart and open mind. I can support you to be present in this way with whatever has been feeling difficult, painful, stuck and unresolved. This is what catalyses a natural process of healing, integration and growth. Counter-intuitively, if we explore what's difficult and attend to our emotional wounds we find that some of our deepest gifts and capacities emerge from the process. This is a journey in which you will uncover and experience inherent qualities of your core Self such as compassion, clarity, confidence, creativity, calm and love.
I am a counsellor and psychotherapist with a private practice in Eastville in the North of Bristol. I work with individuals and couples, both face-to-face and online. My primary therapeutic approach is Internal Family Systems. This powerful modality is at the leading edge of modern psychological therapies, especially in the treatment of trauma. It is a fast growing influence around the globe, supported by a growing body of research. I also offer Tango Couples Therapy, an alternative, dance-oriented approach to couples therapy. I have an extensive background in meditation practice, including mindfulness, which informs my therapeutic practice.
I am a qualified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist (Level 2). I also have a postgraduate Diploma in Gestalt Counselling and a further Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy. I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), on the BACP Accredited Register and I abide by its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
If you are seeking a counsellor or psychotherapist as an individual or a couple, either online or in North Bristol, you are welcome to get in touch with me here.
