An Integrative Approach, What Do I Do?

When it comes to emotional and physical healing, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, no magic sweater that fits everyone perfectly. Therapy is far more than "just a chat" over coffee (although there is water and tissues which might add a bit of comfort!).

A counsellor/Therapist/Psychotherapist isn’t in the business of handing out opinions, advice, or prescriptions. Instead, they serve as a guide, helping you unearth your own solutions, whether that means making effective changes in your life or discovering new ways to manage your challenges.

Think of it as mixing the best ingredients to cook up your personal recipe for growth. As a Somatic Trauma Therapist, I employ a wide array of methods and theory, each uniquely tailored, to support you on your journey. From mapping out those hidden layers of your psyche to tuning into the physical responses that often speak louder than words.

There’s no set strategy here. Instead, we’ll collaborate to figure out what works best for you, ensuring that every session nudges you closer to a more resilient and authentic version of yourself, even if it means laughing when things get a little messy along the way. After all, healing might be serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share a smile or two during the process.

Finding the Right Fit

Finding the right fit with your therapist goes beyond merely booking a session, it’s a bit like searching for that perfect cup of tea. You could try one that’s too weak or one that’s too strong, but when you find the right blend, it just warms you up from the inside out. When you encounter a therapist who truly gets you, a genuine foundation of trust is naturally built. This connection means you can share your innermost thoughts, fears, and hopes, even the ones you might only whisper to a particularly understanding cup of tea.

Every therapist brings their own unique spice to the mix. Some offer a gentle, reflective space, while others prefer a more direct, action-oriented approach. The right therapist is someone whose style and values align with your own preferences, like finding that perfect playlist that accompanies life’s ups and downs. When you’re in sync, conversations flow effortlessly, and even the heavier topics can occasionally be lightened by a well-timed joke or a shared moment of levity. After all, if you can find a reason to smile amid deep work, you’re in a really good place.

Safety and consistency are the secret ingredients to a solid therapeutic relationship. Knowing that each session is a safe enough, confidential space where vulnerability is welcomed is a bit like having your own reliable umbrella on an unpredictable day. While everyday relationships might feel as unpredictable as British weather (one minute sunny, the next a sudden downpour), the therapy room is your steadfast shelter, offering a sense of intimacy that is hard to come by elsewhere. Here, you have the opportunity to practise new skills and gradually transfer that inner strength into your life outside of our sessions.

Ultimately, finding the right fit is about forming a supportive partnership that feels as comforting as your favourite cuppa, and just as invigorating. It’s about working with someone who not only guides you through the challenges of healing but also shares a laugh along the way. When you feel seen, respected, and occasionally amused in the therapy room, I feel you’re well on your way to achieving lasting, meaningful change.

A Collaborative Journey, In and Out of Sessions

The real progress in therapy isn’t confined solely to our sessions, it's like that intriguing subplot in your favourite series that unravels when you least expect it. While our time together is incredibly valuable, much of your growth happens in the space between our meetings. Whether it’s moments of quiet reflection, practicing a new coping skill, or simply tuning in to your inner thoughts, those everyday episodes are where the magic happens.

And don't worry, I won’t be handing out formal homework assignments like a pop quiz at the end of every session. Instead, I might invite you to try a particular exercise, share a quirky infographic, or send you a few links to articles or videos that really vibe with the work we're doing together. You might even catch one of my spontaneous whiteboard doodles during our sessions!

These gentle invitations are designed to support your learning in a way that feels natural and engaging, kind of like discovering that perfect song on your playlist when you need it most. By blending our in-session work with these personalised, out-of-session practices, we create a continuous, integrated healing journey that adapts to your unique style. Every person’s journey is different, sometimes a simple question from our session will spark unexpected insights days later, while other times, experimenting with a new technique might help you build a stronger connection with your emotions.

Ultimately, every moment, whether during our sessions or in the quiet times in between, contributes to your overall progress. And along the way, you might even find a few opportunities to laugh and enjoy the process.

An Integrative, Customised Approach

I work in multiple ways, checking in on many techniques and theory, but most importantly integrating the Tri--phasic Trauma Model to pace our work and ensure safety throughout the process. Picture it like a well-directed film, we begin with a scene that establishes safety, setting the tone for the entire journey. From there, we move through the chapters of remembrance and mourning, before arriving at the resolutions of reconnection and integration. This structured approach helps us navigate even the most challenging experiences, step by step if that's what's needed. There is no pressure, it is your story.

The Tri-Phasic Trauma Model originally developed by Dr. Judith Herman, is a structured approach to trauma recovery that unfolds in three key phases..

1. Safety & Stabilization – Establishing emotional and physical security through grounding techniques and self-regulation.

2. Trauma Memory Processing & Mourning – Integrating traumatic experiences in manageable ways while acknowledging loss.

3. Integration & Reconnection – Rebuilding identity beyond trauma, fostering self-compassion, and strengthening support systems.

   
   

Healing isn’t linear, people move between phases as needed, you may not recognise these, you may stay in one for a while, making this model a flexible, trauma-informed approach to recovery and safety, which is imperative.

Alongside this, I draw on psychodynamic techniques to help you explore the deeper layers of your psyche, kind of like uncovering hidden plot twists in your personal story. Simultaneously, somatic approaches are used to tune into how trauma and stress are embedded in your body, revealing that inner soundtrack you’ve been living with unconsciously.

The psychodynamic approach often is in most sessions, and examines how unconscious processes and past experiences shape emotions and behaviours. It explores childhood influences, defense mechanisms, and relational patterns, helping individuals uncover deep-seated conflicts. Psychodynamic therapy offers insight into unresolved, unconscious and unknown struggles, putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Our nervous system runs the show, so using somatic therapy's body-centred approach helps process trauma and stress by focusing on physical sensations, movement, and nervous system regulation. It integrates breathwork, grounding techniques, mindful awareness and much more to release stored tension and promote healing. It helps reconnect the mind and body for a more holistic recovery. We often call this "Bottom up", These focus on the body first. You work directly with physical sensations, such as your breath, posture, and movement, to help calm your nervous system and release stored tension. The idea is that by helping your body feel safe and relaxed, your mind will gradually follow. Techniques like gentle movement, grounding exercises, and mindfulness of bodily sensations are examples of a bottom-up approach. Essentially, you let your body’s innate wisdom guide the healing process and build new, healthier responses from the ground up. 

Every healing journey is as unique as a custom screenplay. What works brilliantly for one person might not be the perfect fit for someone else. That’s why the tools and techniques we use are carefully tailored to your individual needs. In short, our approach adapts to your personal narrative, ensuring that as you progress, your journey remains as distinct and engaging as any great story, with moments of insight, resilience, and yes, even a few well-timed chuckles along the way.

The Power of the Therapeutic Relationship

A secure, trusting relationship with your therapist offers a level of consistency and safety that's sometimes as rare as a sunny day in a British winter. In our sessions, you have a dedicated space where you can express your feelings openly without judgment, and yes, even share a laugh or two when the moment calls for it. This is not about casual chit-chat, although at times we may talk about your favourite film. What it is, is a professionally grounded yet warm partnership designed to support your healing in a focused, meaningful way.

Moreover, the therapeutic relationship serves as a model for building healthier, more authentic connections outside of the therapy room. Think of it like having a rock-solid Wi-Fi connection in a world where signals can be spotty at best. With a blend of empathy, consistency, and a touch of well-timed humour, our sessions demonstrate how nurturing genuine connections can empower you to cultivate lasting change in every aspect of your life.

What Therapy Is Not

Understanding what therapy is not is just as important as knowing what it is. Here are some common misconceptions cleared up:

It’s Not a Quick Fix

Therapy isn’t a magic bullet where a few sessions will instantly resolve all your issues. TV and films often portray therapy as if after three sessions, everything is solved. In real life, building trust and unravelling deep-rooted issues takes time. Lasting change unfolds gradually, requiring genuine vulnerability and consistent effort both during our sessions and in the time between them.

It’s Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Every individual’s journey is unique. Therapy is not a cookie-cutter process. While some methods might work for one person, they may not suit another. The approaches I use, from psychodynamic techniques to somatic practices, integrated within models like the three-phase trauma model are carefully customised to meet your specific needs.

It’s Not a Passive Conversation

Therapy involves deep exploration of your thoughts, emotions, and the way your body stores trauma and stress. It’s not simply a casual chat with a friend. Instead, it is a structured, intentional process aimed at meaningful transformation, extending far beyond the therapy room through reflective work and practical exercises.

It’s Not Always Comfortable

Let’s be honest, it can be triggering, painful, surprising, and liberating.

The process of healing isn’t always comfortable or linear. There will be moments when emotions surge and unexpected truths come to light. Though these experiences can be overwhelming, they are essential stepping stones on the path to transformation. Your courage in facing these tough parts of your inner world, within our confidential, non-judgemental space, is key to meaningful change.

It’s Not a One-Person Job

Therapy is a collaborative process. While I guide and support you during our sessions, you are not broken, although you may feel you are, you have just been surviving the best way you know how, we all do. Much of the progress happens in the space between meetings, and your active participation is vital. I may offer gentle exercises, share infographics, or suggest articles, but consider these collaborative invitations rather than burdensome homework. You are in charge, you are the expert on you, and I am here as your guide.

It’s Not All Serious, There’s Room for Laughter

Even though therapy often involves diving into some very profound and challenging work, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for humour. I often have clients who not only appreciate the depth of our sessions but also look forward to the moments of levity we share, whether it’s laughing together, joking, or even discussing films. This balance reminds us that even as we work through intense issues, reclaiming the joy and spontaneity in life remains an essential part of the healing process.

A Shared and Empathetic Path

In training and outside of it, over the years, I’ve experienced my own personal therapeutic work, and believe me, I know it isn’t all sunshine and roses. I’ve sat in that chair, nervously unpacking layers of my own story, and I understand how daunting it can be to open up and share deeply personal issues with someone you haven’t met before. It takes immense courage (and maybe a cheeky bit of humour) to take that first step, and I deeply respect your willingness to do so.

I believe therapy isn’t about quick fixes or magic shortcuts, it’s about exploring your inner world at a pace that honours your unique journey. Whether it’s those lightbulb moments during our sessions or the reflective work you do in the quiet moments in between, every insight contributes to lasting change. I strive to create a space where warmth, understanding, and real safety are paramount, ensuring that every session feels like a step forward in deepening trust and connection.

If you're considering starting or continuing your healing journey, know that while the process can sometimes feel as challenging as assembling flat-pack furniture without instructions, it is also a powerful opportunity for transformation. With consistency, patience, and the right support, we can uncover your inner strength and build a future grounded in resilience and authentic connection.

In fact, that strength has been there all along, before life decided to throw its unexpected plot twists at you!

Remember, every meaningful conversation begins with that first moment of vulnerability, and I’m here to walk beside you every step of the way (complete with nervous laughs and genuine support).

More information

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-is-counselling/