Often it is that latter feeling alone, “stuckness”, which might bring a person to therapy, wanting to understand something, to change something, but not knowing how to move forward.

Often the answers are held out of our grasp and Psychodynamic therapy offers the opportunity for deep exploration of innermost thoughts and feelings, some of which may be hidden from conscious awareness. As we begin our work together we explore the meaning behind thoughts, feelings and actions, and through a greater understanding of the “whole picture”, you can begin to feel free and to move forward in life, however that might look for you.

Mind, Body and Trauma

I have a particular interest in trauma and the impact it has on the whole person, both mind and body. My continuing professional development has been targeted towards this interest and I have completed training in many aspects of trauma, both from attachment theory perspectives and neurobiological and somatic perspectives.

When an individual experiences trauma in early life the impact of the trauma is felt on all levels. Often it is our body which gives us clues to our distress, through stiffness, panic, anxiety symptoms, poor sleep, a need to eat, in may ways. I am a yoga teacher, and I use this discipline to introduce an awareness of the body to the people I work with. This may be through the practice of mindfulness, breathwork (in yoga this is called pranayama), or through the controlled movement of the body.

Using mindfulness and yoga helps with self- regulation and developing these practices means that the body can find a place of safety, during the work of therapy and after therapy has ended.

Mind, Body and Food

I am interested in the interconnected relationship between mind, body and eating, and particularly helping people to understand their relationship with food. For most people, this relationship is not straightforward and, like any relationship, requires time and work. The diet industry tends to ignore this aspect of peoples' experience, and instead moves straight to prescribed eating programmes or exercise regimes, maybe even recommendations for surgery, for those who see themselves as "too big".

My aim is to offer a space where eating can be thought about and discussed whatever your size and where you can begin to understand what is truly going on in your relationship with food. This may be through talking therapy as described above or through a combination approach which involves reconnecting to your body through yoga, breathwork and through mindfulness.

I have completed many hours of continuing study to grow my ability to help my clients. The following list is not complete but reflects the courses which contribute to my work most obviously: Postgraduate Certificate in Infant Observation, Foundation in Group Analysis, Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (8 wks), Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma (Janina Fisher), 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training.

I began my working career as a hospital doctor and General Practitioner and worked in the field of medicine for 14 years. Throughout this time I was privileged to see hundreds of patients, many of whom were grappling with the impact of their psychological health on their physical body, or with the psychological impact of their physical ill health.