Individual Therapy

As a dual trained clinical psychologist and systemic psychotherapist I work with both individuals and couples.

Individual Work

My therapeutic approach with individuals is predominantly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, however I have trained in a number of approaches.

Working together we will develop and tailor the therapy, or combination of therapies, that work best for you.

If you are experiencing intense distress our work may either take the form of a more intensive, time-limited therapy to help you regain a sense of emotional balance. Equally we may work in a more explorative manner better suited to understanding more deep seated emotional difficulties and troubling relationship patterns.

These are some of the difficulties people might come to see me for help with:

Depression and Unhappiness
Anxiety and Panic
Stress and Burnout
Obsessive behaviours (OCD)
Eating difficulties

Sleep problems
Sex issues
Anger difficulties
Trauma and PTSD
Relationship problems

The management of Chronic Pain
Emotional Regulation
Social Anxiety
Phobias including agoraphobia and claustrophobia

Whether I’m working with individuals or couples, I try to put my true self into the therapeutic relationship, sharing my own life experience and insights where appropriate. Ultimately though, this is your space to recognise and overcome the barriers that are preventing you from making the best of the opportunities available to you.

Therapy is not something that is done ‘to’ you: it is a shared collaborative experience between the therapist, who can provide an objective and empathic perspective, and the client, who holds expert status on their own experience.

Couple Therapy

Couple Work

In my work with couples I am trained in three of the main therapeutic approaches in the field. I am a systemic psychotherapist but have also been trained in CBT for couples and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy.

When I meet a couple my responsibility is to the relationship and both partners get the time, attention and understanding needed to strengthen and rebuild trust or to make the decisions that have felt too hard or too difficult.

If people are working to build their relationship they frequently describe getting a great short term boost from the relief that they are finally doing something and the profound long term benefit of a more solid, real and loving relationship.

Why People come for Couple Therapy

People describe coming to see me when they feel unhappy or frustrated over certain aspects of their relationship or when there are big decisions or changes to be made. No matter how hard they try things don't seem to alter and conversations end in frustration and paralysis.

The process of talking it over privately with someone impartial helps couple think about problems in different ways. They are able to make changes that once seemed so hard and find solutions where before there seemed to be none. This work is important, supportive and effective whatever your sexual orientation, background or marital status. Some people come alone; others come reluctantly but then begin to feel understood and able to change behaviours and feelings.

Difficulties people come to couple therapy to deal with:

Conflict and anger
Poor communication
Money and work
Commitment decisions
Beginning a family
Affairs
Life changes
Separation and divorce
Ilness

Difficulties with sex
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Trust issues
Addictions
Fertility
Bereavement

When Couples are Separating

For some couples relationship therapy offers the support necessary to work through the process of separation and divorce. Separating couples want to ensure that they are able to provide solid and steady care arrangements for children. They also want help to rebuild their lives letting go of anger and resentment. Enabling this process is an essential part of couple work.