There is no precise answer to this question.
In therapy, addressing a specific symptom or disorder is often just the beginning.
Our behaviours and thoughts are heavily influenced by the unconscious mind, unfolding hidden layers of personality as the therapy progresses. It’s akin to peeling back the layers of an onion, uncovering new depths beneath the surface over time.
Clients may initially focus on one issue and later discover the need to explore something completely different. There’s no set formula for the duration of therapy; it varies for each individual. While time and resources are valuable, my ethos is to empower clients to decide when they feel ready to conclude their therapeutic journey.
Whether short or long-term, I am committed to assisting clients with their specific concerns and supporting them on their unique path.
Integration is at the core of my work and life philosophy.
With four years of study in Transactional Analysis as my foundational psychotherapy training, I went on to attain a Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy, as well as having achieved qualifications in counselling and interpersonal skills. As I have a thirst for knowledge in mental health, I continued my studies by drawing inspiration from various modalities such as Relational Psychotherapy, Humanism, Gestalt, Transpersonal Psychology, Existentialism, and more. I weave a tapestry of approaches in my work.
My passion lies in merging diverse disciplines like neuroscience, mindfulness, and creative therapy, alongside profound concepts like Jungian psychology and spirituality. My ethos is to combine knowledge and science with matters of the heart, body, spirit, and soul.
Embracing integration means confronting all facets of yourself – the shadowy parts, childhood narratives, traumas, unspoken truths, repressed emotions and life experiences. By facing difficult emotions like anger and pain in therapy with unconditional acceptance, great healing can occur as you move towards wholeness.
If you are on a very low income I may be able to accommodate a slightly cheaper price.
Please enquire.
I believe that the current mechanisms, systems, and processes for assessing mental health within our mental healthcare system are fundamentally flawed. These systems often rely on narrow frameworks of what is considered “normal”. Anything deviating from these rigid standards is frequently labelled as a “disorder.”
The rising number of diagnoses in today’s society has reached alarming levels. While a diagnosis can offer relief to individuals and give them access to the care they might desperately need, it can also create a self-fulfilling prophecy, limiting a person’s belief in their capacity for change. Their symptoms may be transient and heavily influenced by external factors.
The coping mechanisms individuals develop, such as anxiety, OCD, addiction, depression, eating disorders, or self-harm, are often understandable responses to challenging environments. These behaviours, in some way, serve as survival strategies. We engage in them because on some level they work.
It is crucial to approach individuals’ coping mechanisms with care and understanding, recognising that they serve a purpose in navigating difficult circumstances. Removing these mechanisms without providing a supportive environment to address underlying feelings and traumas can be detrimental.
The diagnostic approach to mental health, often leads clients to focus on surface-level symptoms rather than delving into deeper, unconscious issues. Depth therapy creates a space to explore repressed emotions and experiences in a compassionate manner whilst acknowledging the complexity of the human psyche, diversity, autonomy and uniqueness.
The therapeutic relationship between a therapist and client plays a vital role in the healing process. We break in relationship and we heal in relationship too, it is the therapeutic relationship that heals.
So, in response to the question of “what do you specialise in?…..” I specialise in human relationship and sitting alongside complex human beings as they heal, grow and evolve.
Psychedelic preparation and integration is often underestimated but plays a vital role.
It is essential to clarify that psychedelic integration doesn’t involve therapy while under the influence of psychedelics.
The process instead encompasses both pre and post-psychedelic experience sessions.
For resources on psychedelic integration, I can guide you towards books, websites, journals, workbooks, checklists, breathwork sessions, and meditations. Preparation involves discussing safety, developing rapport and setting conscious intentions. Post-experience assistance involves processing, finding meaning, implementing changes, and having an experienced witness to your journey.
Engaging in therapy during your integration process can significantly impact the change process, leading to lasting positive outcomes. Integration is about moving towards wholeness, incorporating profound experiences into daily life.
There is no such thing as a quick fix, this is important to understand. Psychedelics are an agent of change, they don’t do the work for you. The psychedelic experience is one event in a much longer change-process. For best results you must be willing to engage in the process and dive deep.
You may experience a totally disorientating loss of identity, for example: “who am I now without my old friend depression?” Our coping mechanisms, like depression, are unconscious defences; they serve to protect us from perhaps a more painful reality. There needs to be a “breaking up” process, you need to ask yourself: “what am I prepared to give up to get what I want?”
During the integration process, you may face overwhelming challenges like identity shifts and confronting unconscious defense mechanisms. Making changes too quickly can be an extreme culture shock….
Focus on small steps, don’t make big life changes too quickly, allow your grief and regret to surface. Ground your experience physically within your body.
I can help you with all of this.
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not currently legal in the UK outside of a research setting, with the exception of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. There are ketamine clinics for the treatment of mental health conditions in various locations throughout the UK (for more information on this please read my blog…. “Working therapeutically and legally with Ketamine”).
Clinical trials are being conducted into the use of psychedelics and psychotherapy to treat a variety of mental health conditions, with impressive results which some argue far outweigh conventional psychotherapy. You can legally apply to become a participant in one of these trials.
There are some countries where psychedelic substances have been decriminalised and you can visit them to attend a retreat (for more information on this please read my blog…. “Would you like to try psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy?”)
Retreat centres are not regulated, which means there are no standards of treatment and care, and no accountability process.
If you are planning on attending a retreat abroad, it would be prudent to research the retreat centres before you go. These websites are reputable and may help you with this:
Most psychedelics are illegal, Class A drugs in the UK. Meaning you could face up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine for possessing them.
Some people are seeking out underground guides in the UK who provide psychedelic “journey” experiences. These guides are generally not trained therapists. Some guides provide a shamanic or ceremonial setting.
Microdosing is another way in which people are ingesting psychedelics.
Microdosing involves taking a small amount of a psychedelic substance like psilocybin, LSD or cannabis three or four days a week with a view to improving general mental wellbeing. Given at such a small dose it is considered sub-perceptual, meaning you barely notice any difference. People often report feeling slightly happier, more energised and creative. There is little research into the effectiveness of microdosing.
I cannot recommend that clients take psychedelic substances in either of these ways as it is illegal.
Travelling abroad or participating in clinical trials is the only way to legally access psychedelic substances if you live the UK, with the exception of ketamine.
My ethical underpinning is that of harm reduction. From a harm reductionist perspective, any step towards reducing the risk of physical and mental harm from substance use is deemed successful
My psychotherapy services aim to reduce the risks associated with psychedelic use, helping individuals minimise physical harm, mental distress, hospitalisation, accidents, and even fatalities, much like drug testing kits at festivals or needle exchanges for intravenous drug users.
People exploring psychedelic experiences may be grappling with significant mental or physical distress resulting from past experiences that conventional medicine has been unable to address. It’s important to understand that their pursuit is driven by a genuine need for relief from their suffering, rather than any negative intent.
Important factors to consider in relation to working safely with psychedelics include:
- your mindset when taking the substance
- your medical and family history
- appropriate dosage, preparation and administration
- your support person or sitter
- having a safe, calm environment for your experience
- risk assessments and safety plans
- the preparation and integration process