Therapy
Exploring Life: Self, Connections, Emotions
We are bound to struggle at some point, while facing the challenge of being human. And yet, we might feel isolated and lonely in our distress…
Yourself: Self-esteem, body and self-worth
You might feel flawed, as if there was something wrong with the person you are. You might struggle to feel at home in your body. You might have rigid ideas regarding who you should be. Expectations placed on you might clash with your deeper desires.
In therapy, we have a chance to slow down and reflect on such experiences - noticing harsh self-criticism, learning what your body is signalling rather than judging it, and exploring what it might mean to relate to yourself in a kinder, more curious way.
Connections – Relationships, family and belonging
Relationships, old or new, have a deep impact on us. They contribute to shaping our identity and our sense of presence in the world. They can stir emotions we do not feel entitled to, and find hard to admit: jealousy, envy, and resentment can enter the picture. We might struggle to express our longing for togetherness, and withdraw instead.
Together, we can look at the patterns behind these feelings and their impact on how you relate to others. This can include people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, or difficulty setting boundaries. Understanding how such patterns link back to your history will make it easier for you to connect to others in a healthier way.
Inner world – Emotions, feelings, sensations
Anxiety, shame, anger - a racing heart, a knot in the stomach, a wish to hide, a worry that never seems to end. It all happens inside us, and we make the mistake of keeping it there. We might be concerned that naming certain emotions will make them more real. We might judge ourselves for feeling them; perhaps we think that we are not grateful enough for what we have.
This is the place to explore and understand your inner world. By approaching emotions at your own pace, you will learn to recognise them in your body; together, we can put them into words and listen to the story they need to tell.
Remember: emotions don't always tell the truth, but they deserve the right to speak.
Death and other losses: Grief, Mourning and Bereavement
Life can change in ways you couldn't predict – or choose.
Loss touches every part of who we are. It includes not just bereavement, but also thoughts about our own and our loved ones' mortality, fears around suicide, experiences of illness, separations, infertility, migration. And this is just to name a few – any turn of events that we cannot control entails a measure of loss.
Loss can feel like…
Shock, disbelief, numbness.
Anger, guilt, shame.
Sadness, despair.
Withdrawal, and/or inability to be alone.
Physical symptoms (exhaustion, pain, sleep changes).
Searching for meaning.
Feeling lost.
Unwanted memories.
Unexpected waves of emotions difficult to make sense of.
Irrational thoughts (things we could have done, or could still do to 'fix the situation'), denial of loss.
There is no right or wrong way to work through grief. Ultimately, we all navigate and experience loss in our own unique way.
What I can do is support you in adjusting to the change that life imposed upon you. I can help you make sense of the reactions to loss that you might see as unacceptable, such as anger directed at the dead, or spiritual questions that might arise.
We will not rush towards closure; rather, we will find ways to navigate the new realities of life and let closure come organically.