My Approach
A holistic, integrative approach that focuses on the whole person — mind, body, and soul.
I offer a unique blend of therapy that covers the aspects of spiritual healing, holistic therapy, and multicultural diversity.
My approach is based upon the primary model of person-centred/humanistic and integrative therapy. I also specialise in a deeper psychoanalytic vision, which puts you first, allowing you to flourish and envision your true self.
What this means in practice is that I don't follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I draw from multiple therapeutic traditions to find what works best for you and your specific situation.
Your First Session
In your first session, I will conduct an intake interview, focusing on your mental, physical, and family history.
This gives us both a chance to understand what's brought you to therapy and begin to build a picture of your life and experiences. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with — we move at your pace.
During ongoing therapy, I will integrate cognitive behavioural, humanistic, and psychoanalytic/dynamic methods into each session in order to create overall wellbeing. The specific blend will depend on what we discover works best for you.
Therapeutic Approaches
Here are some of the key approaches I draw from, explained in plain terms.
Person-Centred Therapy
You are the expert on your own life. I provide a warm, accepting, non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings. My role is to listen deeply and help you discover your own insights, rather than telling you what to do.
Humanistic Therapy
This approach focuses on your potential for growth and self-actualisation. It's based on the belief that you have the capacity for self-healing and personal development when given the right conditions and support.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. It's practical and focuses on the here and now — giving you tools you can use in daily life to manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
Psychodynamic & Psychoanalytic
These approaches explore how past experiences — particularly from childhood — shape present feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. By understanding these patterns, you can gain insight into why you feel and act the way you do, and begin to make changes.
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Mindfulness helps you develop awareness of the present moment without judgement. It can reduce anxiety, help you step back from overwhelming thoughts, and build resilience. These techniques can be woven into our sessions or practised between them.
Integrative Approach
Rather than rigidly following one approach, I blend different methods based on what you need. This flexibility means therapy can adapt to you, not the other way around.
Additional Approaches
Depending on your needs, I may also draw from:
- Multicultural Therapy — Culturally sensitive support that acknowledges the impact of cultural background on mental health
- Narrative Therapy — Exploring the stories you tell about your life and yourself, and how these shape your experience
- Positive Psychology — Building on your strengths and what's working well, not just addressing problems
- REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) — Challenging irrational beliefs that cause emotional distress
- Music Therapy — Using music as a tool for expression and healing when appropriate
- Play Therapy — Creative, expressive techniques that can benefit adults as well as children
- Christian Counselling — Faith-informed support for those who would find this helpful
A Holistic View
I believe that true wellbeing comes from addressing all aspects of who you are — not just your thoughts, but also your body, emotions, relationships, and spirit.
This means we might explore how stress shows up in your body, how your relationships affect your mental health, or how your values and sense of meaning connect to your struggles. We work with you as a whole person.
The goal isn't just to reduce symptoms, though that matters. It's to help you feel safe and secure within your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours — to raise your self-esteem and self-confidence, and to change your train of thought from negative to positive.