Approach & Relationship

As a person-centred therapist I truly believe in developing a relationship that feels safe, accepting and understanding. To help and support you, in your quest towards insight into yourself, your feelings, concerns and situation.

This unique relationship consists of therapeutic conditions that include (but are not limited to) empathy - whereby metaphorically I have one foot in the river with you, striving to feel and hold a sense of your experience, with enough humility and honesty towards myself, to know we are different.

I cannot fully know what it is like in your world, rather I can feel a sense or essence of it, as well as educate myself further in my own time, so you don’t have to. 

Another tenet of the relationship, is that I endeavour to meet you non-judgementally; therefore, I avoid directing your flow, due to imposed standards, values or expectations (even though you may hold yourself to these).  My intention is to be courageous with vulnerability and openness, to journey therapeutically with you towards your discovery, or offer company in the place you reside; ultimately, I hope to be free from being expert over you, rather, I strive for a more balanced genuine position within the relationship.  This ethos extends to observing if we are not working effectively together, or if it isn’t quite right to start, see - questions and answers.

The therapeutic relationship (if you are willing) can help you gain a better understanding of your emotions, personal relationships, as well as awareness of contradicting or aligning parts of your personality, see - parts. Perhaps reach clearer awareness of default responses or notice how you adjust yourself to others. I believe it is therefore appropriate to acknowledge your development and existence within a certain environment, and so your ‘context’ including neurodiversity, discrimination, chronic illness, criminality as perpetrator or victim, and a legacy of adverse childhood experience.  As well as, learnt and automatic methods of survival; such as, vagal dorsal shutdown, chronic societal stress, aggressions or Trauma - see polyvagal institute.

Throughout, this process is supported by my personal-development, continued training, and consultancy (named clinical supervision). Plus my consistent work to develop my own understanding, in order to help you reach an outcome or insight that is right for you.

All diversification of my practice, informs my understanding of you the client.