My Approach
I understand that when coming for Therapy, it can feel quite scary, or nerve wracking. You may not know what to expect, what to say, or if you'll get on with your therapist. Being able to open up about things that can feel quite exposing is scary enough as it is, let alone to a complete stranger. When you attend therapy, you'll want to be able to be yourself, free from judgement and be able to trust your therapist with your wellbeing and your sensitive information.
This is why I place an emphasis on a calm, safe environment, as well as on the therapeutic relationship -- this is the relationship between myself and my client -- that is client focussed, professional, respectful, appropriate, maintains integrity and demonstrates accountability and candour. I do this by upholding the BACP Ethical Framework, which I allow all my clients to read through and access if they wish to.
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I also do this by utilising a Person Centred and 'Chan' approach. This means I hold you, the client, as the "expert" on yourself. By going entirely at your pace, allowing you to lead the session and explore what you feel is important to you. Just like getting to know someone new, the therapeutic relationship will gradually develop in time and trust will begin to grow. It may take you one session, it may take you 8 sessions, it may take you more! But being able to say what you feel you need to talk about, look at, understand and explore will take as long as it needs. Everyone is different and processes and experiences things in their own individual way.
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On top of this, I also integrate other approaches that I can offer during your sessions if I feel they may be of use to you at the time. Have a look below to have a very brief summary of what these approaches are:
Person-Centred Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy was created by Carl Rogers in the 1950s holding the individual as an 'expert' of themselves and their natural ability to become who they truly are when given the correct set of 'conditions'. The therapy explores the person's sense of self-worth and their sense of self compared to others ('locus of evaluation'). The therapist utilises a set of 'core conditions' of Empathy, Congruence and Unconditional Positive Regard. In doing so, through the process of talking, processing and self-reflection, the individual eventually becomes more aligned to their organic way of being, identifying through their therapy how they truly think and feel about themselves, the world and others. Their behaviours begin to align with their ways of being and over time results in 'self-actualisation'; becoming their innate selves. This is the core modality that I work in, and the therapeutic relationship will be based on this.
Chan Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques
I practice ChanWuYi (禅æ¦åŒ»), a 2,000 year old Chinese Buddhist philosophy (the original Zen) which, when practiced correctly, can be extremely effective in helping with anxiety and depression, repetitive thoughts, as well as chronic pain and illnesses. Chan involves connecting with nature, reflection, emotional awareness, meditation and movement based breathing techniques such as Qi Gong. It sees the body and mind as having natural abilities to heal itself over time with diligent practice by understanding their chi (life force) with mental and physical wellbeing.
Chan theory can also help you change your behaviours, thoughts and feelings, and provides a greater awareness and understanding of yourself. It is essentially, one of the oldest forms of psychotherapeutic techniques to date.
With over 25 years of practice, I can integrate this into sessions if you may find it useful.
Gestalt Therapy
This approach is extremely useful when exploring relationships between yourself and the world around you. It can involve quite creative ways of working, and looks at your perception and how this ultimately effects any conflicts you may be experiencing. Techniques used can be interventions such as 'Empty Chair', letter writing or utilising objects as metaphors.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional Analysis (TA) was developed in the 1950s and derives from Psychoanalysis. It explores our communication behaviour and language within relationships, looking at patterns and understanding the emotions that occur. The theory explores three 'ego-states' or 'roles', such as Parent -- Child -- Adult, that we may enter into subconsciously or consciously, as well as our sense of worth within the "OK Corral" (for example, a person could say that they are OK and feel that you/others are not OK, when the reality may be the opposite).
Creative Therapy
This can include automatic drawing, creative writing, sand play, drawing, painting, poetry, making music, etc. which can allow for individuals who may find talking or naming feelings or thoughts difficult, but may be able to express them through creativity. You do not need to have experience in Art, Music or any other creative form, but instead see creativity as a means of expressing and exploring. It can also be a brilliant way to allow you to look at things differently if you are not used to using creativity to explore things. Creativity will involve using other areas of your brain that help access childhood memories, thoughts or emotions which can help during sessions where this is relevant.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a therapy that is most commonly used by the NHS, and involves looking at how you feel, think and behave through talking, writing, reflecting and behaving (or putting it into action). The idea is to explore thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behaviours that you are finding unhelpful in a structured way, and working towards a goal of changing them to becoming helpful, or manageable. CBT is led by the therapist, who explores with you the functions behind your behaviours and thoughts, identifying unhelpful thought patterns or thinking styles, and helping to challenge these to create new ways of being. As CBT is practice-based, the therapy involves practicing at home or in your own personal time, as well as filling out worksheets with me during sessions or talking through them to gain understanding. Although CBT is often based upon the 'here-and-now', it can also take into account historical life events that may have informed what is currently going on for you.
Psycho-Education
Sometimes it's extremely helpful to understand what is actually happening on a factual, scientific level. It can feel reassuring to know reasons behind why you are experiencing what you are experiencing. I can provide literature or explanations during our sessions to help you gain some understanding as well as sign post you to other useful resources.
Padwork & Self-Defence
As a certified coach under the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts and insured instructor, I can utilise pad-work and practical self-defence for clients when working through somatic experiences. Sometimes it can be helpful to move around and hit the pads (using specific techniques) when we need to get the energy in the body moving. This can be particularly helpful if you're feeling stuck or heavy, or if we have been talking through a traumatic experience. The energy can shift the body and brain into a non-paralysed state, and shift the focus onto physical movement. You also get the benefits of feeling strong, a lovely dopamine hit and learning some practical skills (if that is the aim).
