Psychotherapy

Specific areas of Interest

Trauma-informed therapy

The term “trauma-informed” is widely used, but at its core, it reflects something quite simple:
many of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are shaped by past experiences — often in ways we may not fully recognise.

Trauma is not only about major life events. It can also arise from more subtle, cumulative experiences that shape how we relate to ourselves and others.

  • “Big T” trauma may include events such as accidents, abuse, or life-threatening situations, which can overwhelm our capacity to cope and may lead to symptoms associated with PTSD.

  • “Small t” trauma can develop through experiences such as ongoing stress, relationship difficulties, family dynamics, or periods of instability — often less visible, but equally impactful over time.

“Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside of you as a result of what happened to you.”

In therapy, we focus not only on what has happened, but on how those experiences continue to live within you — in patterns, beliefs, emotional responses, and the body.

Shame, Guilt & Self-Worth

Many of the people I work with carry a deep sense of shame, self-criticism, or feeling “not good enough,” often rooted in earlier experiences.

A central part of my work involves helping to:

  • understand where these beliefs developed
  • gently challenge and rework them
  • develop a more compassionate and balanced relationship with yourself

This is often a gradual process, but one that can lead to meaningful and lasting change.

Boarding School Experience

I have a particular interest in working with individuals who attended boarding school, especially from a young age.

Research, including the work of Joy Schaverien, has highlighted how early separation from caregivers can have a lasting psychological impact. This is sometimes referred to as “boarding school syndrome.”

Children in these environments often learn quickly to adapt:

  • to manage without consistent emotional support
  • to suppress vulnerability
  • to present as coping, regardless of how they feel internally

Over time, this can lead to patterns such as:

  • emotional disconnection or difficulty accessing feelings
  • a strong “functional” or high-performing outer self
  • challenges in relationships or a sense of not fully knowing oneself
  • Schaverien describes this as a kind of internal split — between a “home self” and a “boarding school self” — which can persist into adult life.

“He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it.”

In therapy, we work gently to understand these adaptations — not as flaws, but as ways of coping that once made sense — and to reconnect with a more integrated sense of self.

As someone who attended boarding school myself, I bring both professional understanding and lived insight into this work.

 

Other Areas of Work:

Supervision

I have undertaken formal training in clinical supervision and offer reflective space for psychologists and other professionals in their practice.

Groupwork & Critical Incident Support

I have experience in facilitating groups and workshops for both clients and professional teams. I am also trained in critical incident debriefing, offering support on both an individual and group basis following challenging or traumatic events.

Corporate Services (Co-facilitated)

A psychologically informed response team for organisations dealing with complex or high-impact situations, drawing on extensive experience working within complex and high-pressure environments across the NHS and forensic settings.

Our approach is calm, structured, and responsive — providing support that is both psychologically informed and practically useful.

Critical Incident Support

Support following critical or distressing events in the workplace, including:

  • Sudden death or serious injury
  • Workplace incidents or trauma exposure
  • High-stress or destabilising events affecting teams

This service can include:

  • 1:1 psychological support for staff
  • Small group or team debriefs
  • Guidance for managers on supporting their teams

The aim is to help individuals and teams process what has happened, stabilise, and reduce the risk of longer-term psychological impact.

Staff well-being support

Short-term psychological support for employees experiencing stress, burnout, or work-related difficulties.

This can include:

  • Time-limited 1:1 sessions
  • Support with managing pressure, transitions, or workplace challenges
  • A reflective space for staff in demanding roles

Workshops & Group Facilitation

Facilitating workshops and group sessions on topics such as:

  • Understanding stress and burnout
  • Psychological safety and resilience
  • Processing challenging work experiences

Workshops can be tailored to the needs of your organisation.

Collaborative Working

I am open to working in collaboration with organisations and other professionals to develop bespoke support tailored to specific needs.

Fees

Fees are structured depending on the nature and scope of the work. A clear proposal can be provided following an initial discussion.

Enquiries

If you would like to discuss how I might support your organisation, please get in touch to arrange an initial conversation.

Session Structure & Fees

Session Structure

You may have experienced sessions where just as you begin to settle into what feels important, the time comes to an end. For some people, shorter sessions can feel limiting — particularly when working with more complex or deeply held experiences.

I recognise that committing to therapy is both a financial and personal investment. Therefore, sessions can be flexible in length, typically between 60 and 120 minutes. This allows space to explore things at a more natural pace, without feeling too constrained by time. We can review this together as we progress

At the same time, I recognise that different people have different needs, and I am always open to discussing what feels most appropriate for you. There is no fixed or “one size fits all” approach.

 

Initial Consultation

I offer a free 30-minute initial telephone consultation. This is an opportunity for us to explore what has brought you to therapy, and to get a sense of whether my approach feels like a good fit for you.

We can also talk through practical aspects such as session structure and availability.

There is no expectation to continue beyond this — it is simply a space to begin a conversation.

 

Fees

My standard fee is £120 per session.

I offer a limited number of concessionary spaces, which can be discussed during our initial conversation.

Further details around payment, scheduling, and cancellations can be discussed during the initial consultation, so that everything feels clear and agreed from the outset.

 

Supervision:

I offer clinical supervision for psychologists and other professionals, providing a reflective space to think about your work. My approach is collaborative and thoughtful, allowing space to explore clinical material at depth, including more complex presentations.

Supervision is £70 per hour.