INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

In cases of childhood trauma, certain parts of you can remain stuck at the age when the trauma occurred, holding onto the emotions, pain and beliefs formed during that time. Our work together can help these parts recognise that they are no longer in that traumatic situation, that they are safe now

The effects of childhood trauma are deep and complex, and can leave people feeling unsafe, not just in the world, but within their own bodies. The very core of their sense of self can feel shattered and uncertain. Intimacy, both emotional and physical, can feel overwhelmingly unsafe, bringing up deep fears of being hurt, humiliated, or retraumatised. The world can seem like a constant threat, making the sense of safety that others might take for granted, feel almost unattainable. As a result, intimate relationships can be incredibly difficult, as the emotional and physical defences built to protect from further harm, often create barriers that prevent true connection and trust from developing.

I offer one-to-one therapy for individuals who have experienced childhood trauma. You will never be told that any of your feelings or experiences are wrong or bad, these feelings and experiences will be understood as ways that your system developed to protect you from pain, or from bad things happening again. I believe that everyone deserves to find safety and peace within their bodies and relationships after childhood trauma, and it is my goal to support you to do that.

The foundation of my work is rooted in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and integrated with other modalities such as Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), to assist with building safety and trauma processing. IFS is a powerful approach that views the mind as being made up of various "parts," each with their own feelings, thoughts, and roles. These parts often develop protective behaviours in response to life experiences, including trauma. Many of your protective parts—such as those manifesting as panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, intrusive memories, anger outbursts, zoning-out, or feelings of worthlessness—are doing their best to protect you from intense pain or from bad things happening again. Through creating safety, we will begin to understand how these parts interact, and how they influence your emotions, behaviors, and reactions. This process can bring greater harmony, reduce anxiety, and facilitate healing.

At the core of IFS is the belief that within you exists a compassionate and wise adult Self—a source of strength, clarity, and empathy. As we navigate your inner landscape together, the goal is to empower this Self to lead your healing journey, calming the protective parts, while gently processing the trauma, that has been held by more vulnerable parts of your system. Our work together will be collaborative, non-judgmental, and designed to foster self-awareness. You will be empowered to regain control over your emotional life, helping you heal, and improving your ability to connect deeply with both yourself and others.

"The Self is the only part that can lead a person to real healing. It’s not about fixing parts or controlling them. It’s about being with them from a place of compassion and curiosity, and allowing them to heal." Richard Schwartz

Therapeutic Modalities

  • IFS assumes that every person has an internal system of ‘parts’, and when we experience trauma or adverse experiences in life then these parts can become burdened and are suppressed into exile, as the feelings that are associated with that trauma, or adverse experiences, are too overwhelming for us to feel at that time. Other parts become part of our protective system that try to protect the exiled parts, and may form symptoms such as anxiety, depression, shame, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, urgency, withdrawal etc. IFS works to connect us to our ‘Self’, which is a part that is unconditionally compassionate, confident, caring, curious and non-judgemental. Through the connection to the ‘Self’, we can form relationships with, and support the relationships between our protective system and exiled parts, to help our whole system heal, and find peace.

  • EMDR is designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma. It involves recalling distressing memories, while engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, sounds, or taps. This dual focus helps rewire the brain’s response to traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge, and allowing them to be processed more adaptively. EMDR helps individuals integrate painful experiences, shifting negative beliefs and emotional patterns to promote healing. It is often used as part of trauma-focused therapy.

  • EFT involves understanding and processing emotions, to improve emotional regulation and well-being. It helps individuals explore their emotional experiences, identify patterns in their feelings and behaviors, and understand the underlying needs driving them. By fostering self-awareness and emotional acceptance, EFT helps individuals address unresolved emotional issues, build emotional resilience, and enhance their relationships. The therapy emphasizes the importance of emotional experiences in shaping our perceptions and behaviors, promoting healing through emotional validation and processing.

  • Person-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. The therapist provides empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, allowing the exploration of feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This approach emphasises the client's ability to self-heal and grow, when given the right conditions for self-exploration. Person-centered therapy fosters self-acceptance and personal growth, by helping individuals connect with their true selves, build confidence, and resolve internal conflicts, ultimately empowering them to make positive life changes.

  • DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, and emphasises the balance of acceptance and change. The therapy focuses on four key areas: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. Individuals can learn to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress without harmful behaviors, improve relationships, and stay present in the moment.