Integrative Approach

Psycho-dynamic and person-centred approaches combined, offer you a truly unique and effective counselling experience. 

Person-centred theory focuses on your present experiencing, whereby psychodynamic theory, explores your unconscious conflict and past experiencing. 

These theories both aim to reduce stress and provide you with a deeper understanding of yourself.

 

My Practice is Trauma Informed

I recognise the impact trauma has on our mind (psyche) and our bodies (somatic).  I feel there is great importance in me, providing you, with psycho-education in relation to trauma.

I will work with you to help you understand how your brain continues to respond to a sense of threat, even when you may no longer be in a threatening situation. 

We will explore, together, the symptoms you are experiencing, and I will support you to notice when your nervous system has been triggered into fight/flight/freeze (dysregulation). 

Sometimes a trigger can be a subtle bodily reaction, but which can build and escalate (this is not always subtle of course). 

I will work with you on individual techniques which you can use to bring your mind (psyche) and body (somatic) systems back to a state of calm (regulation). 

Feeling safe within yourself is the foundation to recovery from trauma. Of course, this takes time, but alongside you, I will help you explore your individual need. 

I will support you safely and at your own pace, to recognise your triggers. 

You may well feel that you are regularly functioning from a hyper-vigilant state (fight/fight) or hypo-vigilant state (freeze). 

These responses are all normal when you have experienced a traumatic event(s). 

The primitive part of our brain (amygdala - aka trauma brain) becomes highly sensitive and focused on recognising danger, its aim is to "keep you safe" however this can be experienced as the opposite to safety, when we are unable to understand or control this reaction.

Below are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing.

Intrusive memories - startle response - shame, self-hatred - irritability - hypervigilance - little or no memories - self destructive behaviour - dissociation - loss of interest - panic attacks - chronic pain - hopelessness - decreased concentration - insomnia - nightmares - flashbacks - numbing - substance use - depression