My Approach

I’m an Integrative-Relational Psychotherapist offering short-term counselling to support clients with specific issues such as Depression and Anxiety, as well as long-term psychotherapy for those on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

My integrative-relational approach to therapy integrates being person-centred with psychodynamic theory, which means I will be led by you about what to focus on in therapy, yet will also seek to explore how your current difficulties may have been influenced by your past and relationships. Every person is different, so my therapeutic style incorporates different counselling approaches and techniques in our work together, such as mindfulness for example, if it feels as though this might be beneficial for you.

A trauma-informed approach

Talking therapy is often viewed solely through a medical lens, as a solution for the alleviation of mental illness and psychological distress. Some approaches hold the stance that there is something “wrong” with the client mentally and emotionally, and undergoing therapy act as treatment for the problem in order to restore their mental health.

Trauma-informed therapy understands the client’s psychological distress as being an understandable response to harmful or difficult experiences that have happened to them – so the focus isn’t on “what’s wrong” with the client but on what has happened to them that is having a detrimental impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Viewing therapy through a trauma-informed lens resonates with me on both a personal and professional level, as it aligns with my fundamental belief that our mental, emotional and overall wellbeing, is greatly influenced by the environments and circumstances that have shaped our lives.

The meaning of Tender Fern

The term Tender Fern was born from my appreciation of the West African Adinkra symbol “Aya”, which depicts a fern plant. Ferns are resilient plants that grow in dry, harsh environments, and so are a symbol of endurance, resourcefulness and survival.

AYA

"fern"

“The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. "An individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty."

(Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary) | adinkra.org

Just like the fern, many of us have had to grow and develop through life whilst enduring difficult environments and circumstances. For some, this might have been a lack of nurture, safety and encouragement during childhood. For some, this might have been experiencing neglect, abuse or not having their emotional needs met. For some, the family environment might have been safe and loving, but the wider context of poverty, racism, homophobia, sexism and all others forms of oppression in the world might have created challenging conditions that caused mental turmoil and stifled their growth.

Guiding Your Healing Journey

My therapeutic approach acknowledges how your background and experiences may have shaped and contributed towards any mental issues you might have, whilst also affirming the resilience and determination that has kept you striving for personal growth.

I believe that we are all diverse individuals whose lives and issues are influenced by varied experiences and intersections, based on; background, culture, ethnic identity, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion etc. My therapeutic approach values difference and acknowledges that each client has their own unique needs and experiences of the world, and I welcome you to bring your whole self into therapy.

Often therapists are viewed as being experts with the power to treat mental illness and “fix” their client’s problems. For me, it feels important to state that I don't have all the answers. Therapy is not a one-size fits all solution, and my approach may not resonate with everyone. What I can confidently say is am committed to letting the mystery of life, and myself, unfold over time, and I am committed to using my training and knowledge to help my clients to do the same.