PROBLEMS TREATED
Anxiety & OCD
Difficulties with anxiety such as worrying all the time, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, stress or panic are very common. Often these are natural responses to what has happened in our lives. Furthermore, whether we like it or not the human brain is primarily wired to detect threat and operates on a ‘better safe than sorry’ model. It’s no wonder anxiety can be a feature in the lives of many. There are evidence based tools and strategies that can help us effectively manage these difficult emotions and cycles of behaviour.
Health & Adjustment
Life involves many adjustments and transitions. Some are more challenging than others. It is very common to feel stuck when making a significant change in our lives or equally when something unexpected happens which completely throws us of course. Perhaps you are approaching retirement and unsure what life looks like without work. Maybe you have moved abroad and are adjusting to a new culture while being far removed from your usual support. Or you may be struggling with a recent physical health diagnosis or simply feeling burned out by the demands of managing a long term condition. Either way, you are not alone.
Perinatal
Pregnancy is a time of huge adjustment that spans many areas of life including social, physical, relationships & psychological. It is totally understandable and natural that the adjustment into pregnancy and parenthood can be tough. It may cause specific difficulties or it can throw up old issues from the past. These may include anxiety, depression, fear of childbirth, OCD and birth trauma. Your journey may have been a difficult one with fertility issues, loss and bereavement. I am passionate about supporting woman and men during this time with the difficulties that can arise.
Sexual Problems
Having worked in a sexual health clinic for over four years, I understand the massive impact that sexual health can have on emotional well-being, and and vice versa. Reaching out for help for sexual problems can feel particularly daunting. My goal is to help you by exploring your sexual difficulties in a caring and supportive way. Some common sexual difficulties include loss of desire and arousal difficulty, pornography and compulsive sexual behaviours, ejaculation problems, erectile dysfunction sexual or performance anxiety, dyspareunia and vaginismus, sexual phobias or aversions, sexuality, HIV diagnosis, sexual abuse and chemsex. I am kink aware and offer sex therapy to individuals, couples and those in poly relationships. The way I work is relational and affirmative.
Trauma
Experiences of trauma wether recent or in the distant past can, unfortunately, make life really tricky in the present. The brain’s natural survival mechanism, whether we like it or not, encourages us to be on high alert. This interferes with our ability to feel safe in the present, long after the trauma. Trauma can get in the way of work, relationships and the life that we want to have. Research has demonstrated that there are various therapies which can be successful at supporting people to move on from trauma. This may mean processing the trauma and reconnecting with your body to allow you to live the life you want to lead.
Couples Therapy
It’s perhaps not surprising that two individuals in a partnership can bring about its fair share of challenges. You may find yourselves stuck in difficult communication loops or feel increasingly lonely, disconnected or betrayed. Perhaps you are trying to figure out how neurodivergence impacts your relationship. Couples can benefit from couples therapy at any stage of a relationship, whether you have reached crisis or not. Goals for couples therapy may include rebuilding trust, developing tools for managing conflict, improving communication and cultivating connection & compassion for a better life together.
I am an affirmative therapist and have extensive experience working with people who are gender, sexually and relationally diverse (GRSD). I offer ACT, IBCT & Schema Therapy for couples.