My Therapeutic Approach
Integrating EMDR and Schema therapy, my style is collaborative, grounded and compassionate. I aim to make therapy approachable and understandable. I use common, everyday language and often draw diagrams or use a whiteboard to make ideas clearer and more concrete. You won’t be expected to know psychological jargon or theory, that’s my job to translate.
I don’t use one type of therapy strictly. Instead, I draw on a combination of evidence‑based approaches, mainly Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
For direct trauma processing, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and/or Imagery Rescripting. I also integrate ideas from Compassion-focused, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), depending on what fits you and your situation.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps to explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and develop coping strategies to shift unhelpful patterns.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps to make room for difficult thoughts and feelings without being pulled by them. It focuses on taking action towards your values so you can show up fully.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
EMDR can be used to directly process distressing past memories, current triggers and future worries. It can be used as a stand-alone therapy, or alongside other therapies.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy helps to shift deep-rooted patterns through building awareness of maladaptive schemas and coping modes. This approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals affected by childhood trauma and experiences of unmet emotional needs.
What is EMDR and how can it help?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of trauma processing that helps to process distressing memories. EMDR is based on the understanding that some traumatic experiences can become 'stuck' and continue to be activated by current triggers and situations.
Through using EMDR, we can work collaboratively and at a pace that feels safe and manageable, with the goal of helping you to process these experiences. The overall goal is helping to reduce the distress associated with them so that the present feels more manageable. I offer EMDR via Telehealth or in person.
My approach begins with helping you to understand the current triggers, thoughts, emotions and behaviours. We work on building the therapeutic relationship, coping skills, and ensuring that you feel adequately prepared before directly processing traumatic memories.
