Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
The mode of psychotherapy I utilise is psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The evidence base for the effectiveness of this method is growing, and it is strongest for long-term complex cases. The main theoretical framework is that unconscious processes, internal conflicts, transference and early relationships shape current difficulties. By working this way it can help you to increase insight into unconscious dynamics within yourself and make internal changes that help to increase ego strength and robustness and resolve deep-rooted conflicts.
The main ways that I work are by enabling you to talk in a freely associated way, without censorship or judgement; bring dreams that might help with understanding the unconscious as they are interpreted in the session; by you being able to take in the insights that I will offer, that may at times be surprising (as you will be finding out things that you don’t yet know about yourself): and by working through difficult experiences in a supported and contained way as they come up in the work.
- In psychoanalytic therapy we view symptoms, as problematic as they may be, as expressions of unconscious conflict – so I am not here to cure your or fix you by removing the symptoms rather we work together to transform them via insight
- As the therapist my stance is neutral and non-directive (although at times this may differ – for example if we are doing some trauma informed work) – I will interpret and offer insight rather than offer advice, solutions or tools
- Psychoanalytic work is typically longer-term and open-ended and may be higher frequency – from once a week to 2 or 3 times or more
- There is a deep focus on developmental history and early relationships in childhood and on what manifests in the relationship between the therapist and the client
- We see emotions as clues to unconscious processes and this is felt in the ‘field’ that develops between us
Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt)
Neuro-linguistic psychotherapy (NLPt) goes much deeper than CBT and even neurolinguistic programming (NLP), in that it looks for the way the client has ‘constructed’ their experience of the world. NLP explores ‘how’ people think, identify successful outcomes and then apply these successful actions or beliefs in ways which work. Whilst the client is always in control of the overall direction of the work, and indeed each session, much of the focus is on working with the client’s unconscious and somatic mind, their ‘deep structure’, hence it is very powerful.
In NLP therapy the therapist acts like an explorer, often not knowing how each session will emerge, going with the client’s need and having the overall outcome in mind at all times. A basic belief of NLP psychotherapy is that the client already has all the answers and solutions within their own unconscious mind and body-mind system, and the therapists job is to reveal them and collaboratively put them to use. Click here to find out more about Neuro-linguistic psychotherapy (NLPt).
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is not hypnosis and does not work by direct ‘suggestion’ or commanding language. It uses relaxation techniques and indirect suggestions to tap into the healing power of the unconscious mind via language patters and stories or metaphors. This helps the client access more powerful ‘trance’ or alterated states which assist change, more quickly.
Pesso Boyden System Psychotherapy (PBSP)
Pesso Boyden system therapy (PBSP) is the most advanced therapeutic body-based psychotherapy system available for emotional reprogramming. PBSP identifies deficits from our past that lead to unhelpful patterns of behaviour in the present. It uses tools and techniques such as objects, figures and real human beings (in group work) to heal deficits by working on the stage of both our present and our past and directing a new healing drama. These deficits are held in the body – that feeling of dread, lump in the throat, panic, tightness or rage. When we receive the healing in the drama of the therapeutic ‘structure’, using the stage of both the present and the past, we can let go of the past and become who we truly are.
This helps us to overcome past traumas, wounds, losses and abuses. In meeting these unmet needs from our past, it gives us a sense of satisfaction or wholeness so we can live with more pleasure, meaning, satisfaction and connectedness. Read more about Pesso Boyden System psychotherapy.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a potent psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress.
Trauma may result from a wide range of stressors such as serious accidents, assault or abuse, neglect, war, natural disasters, surgery, the break up of a significant relationship, the discovery of a life-threatening illness or disabling condition. Trauma develops through the failure of the body, psyche and nervous system to process adverse events. Effective treatment does not require the traumatised person to re-tell or re-live the traumatic event.
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