What can I help with?

Anxiety

Fight or flight.

In the animal kingdom, these are perfectly natural responses that organisms have adopted to ensure their survival. This is the anxiety response. However, as humans have evolved, particularly over the last few hundred years, these naturally physiological responses often no longer serve us well. We believe that our very existence is threatened in the face of seemingly innocuous situations, and these responses, repeated over a long period of time can leave us chronically stressed, at risk of developing serious health issues, and can often segue into cycles of depression. Through therapy, we can explore how you come to make the decisions that keep you locked into unhelpful fight/flight responses and begin to catalyse a change in pathways where you can approach day-to-day tasks without apprehension.

Winston Churchill’s “black dog”.

Depression can be described as a debilitating state that can rob you of all energy, leaving you dwelling in perpetual hopelessness and helplessness, some reporting it as immovable lens of negative bias with which to view the world. A quick Google search will tell you that around 280 million people across the world suffer from depression, although this is likely to be an underestimate. Depression can often have roots in unresolved issues in your past, and this is something we can explore and resolve in therapy. By taking a sensitive and respectful approach, we can seek to gain insight into the purpose that the depression currently serves in your life; it is not simply a symptom that must be removed. From this, we can begin to derive renewed meaning in your existence and approach life with zest.

Jumping out of one’s skin... and heart.

Having a panic attack can be described has experiencing anxiety with the dial turned all the way past the red limiter. There is an unreal quality to them, can occur unexpectedly, and make you feel as if you are going to die. After these episodes subside, the sufferer can experience a lingering worry that the next attack could come any time, prolonging a level of anxiety that is difficult to cope with on a day-to-day basis. An attempted measure taken by most who suffer is to restrict going to places, or enacting situations where the panic struck, hence often leading to a limited way of living. In a non-judgemental and therapeutic environment, we can sensitively and safely explore the issues that are underpinning your troubles and work somatically so that you can learn to be in tune with your body which will not only be helpful for coping with panic attacks, but also for establishing effective mind-body connections.

Addiction

Caught in the cycle.

An addiction is a complex and chronic condition that, in through seeking a desired outlet, one aims to provide relief from pain, be it physical, psychological, emotional, and/or relational, often unconsciously. The neurological consequences over time can be detrimental, as the person can begin to build a tolerance and cravings for the desired action, but also these actions can impact on their physical health and their relationships. From the inside, addiction can attract a lot of stigma and judgement which can serve to exacerbate the struggles that are faced by those suffering from addiction. Which is why, in our therapy, we can begin to approach these issues that you may be facing with compassion and understanding. These issues may have stemmed from traumatic past experiences, and by taking a holistic approach, we can begin to forge healthy paths into the future while keeping your health, safety, and mental wellbeing at the forefront.

I also help with…

• Assertiveness

• Bereavement

• Binge-eating and overeating

• Insomnia / sleep difficulties

• Obsessive compulsive disorder

• Phobias

• Relationship issues

• Self-esteem / Self-confidence

• Social anxiety

• Suicidal ideation