Theoretical Approaches

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) and Eye Movement Desensitization  & Reprocessing (EMDR) are three of the major influences, I also draw upon a range of other psychotherapy models to help me customise the best treatment for you to meet your desired goal in collaboration with you.

Emotionally Focused Therapy is a humanistic treatment based on the principles of emotion theory and attachment theory. It is collaborative and respectful of clients combined with many experiential techniques; can be applied to many different kinds of problems; it is validated by many years of research on change.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a method that integrates sensorimotor (body) processing with cognitive and emotional processing in the treatment of trauma. The integration of all three levels of processing is essential for recovery to occur.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is based on the Hakomi principles that directly treats the effects of trauma on the body, which in turn facilitates emotional and cognitive processing. This method is especially beneficial for clients with issues of dissociation, emotional reactivity or flatness, frozen states or hyperarousal and other PTSD symptoms such  as intrusive images, sounds, smells, body sensations, physical pain, constriction,  nightmares, numbing and the inability to regulate highly agitated or depressed states.

For recovery and transformation to occur and to restore normal healthy functioning it is essential to integrate all three levels of processing: physical, mental and emotional.

Eye Movement Desensitization  & Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. When someone experiences psychological trauma, it appears the  nervous system may become unbalanced because of trauma or stress generated during a traumatic event. Due to this imbalance, the information processing system is unable to function optimally and the information acquired at the time of the event, is maintained (frozen) neurologically in its disturbing state. This can be triggered by internal or external stresses that cause disturbance within one’s body, mind and heart.

EMDR involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events. Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions.

EMDR is an eight-phase treatment that include the use of eye movement or other bilateral stimulation. It helps to reprocess disturbing thoughts and memories, providing profound and effective treatment in a short time. Painful events and memories are transformed on an emotional level. Awareness alone does not shift the effect of the dysfunctionally stored memory.

Emotionally Focused Therapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy  and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing are well researched and evidence based and grounded in the more current research of Neuroscience.The study of the brain and how experience affects the function of the brain are well researched that give validity to the success of therapy work.

Through a collaborative effort I invite you to allow me to guide you to explore your limiting self beliefs and painful experiences that block you from realizing your needs, wants and desires. As you grow in strength and courage your life will begin to transform.