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Relational Therapy is all about exploring how our relationships with others shape our feelings and behaviours. In our sessions, we focus on building a strong, supportive connection between us, which helps reflect and influence your relationships with others in your life.

We work together to understand how past and present relationships affect your experiences, how you interact with people, and how these interactions impact your emotional well-being. Building rapport and a solid therapeutic alliance is key in this process, as it creates a safe space where you can openly explore your feelings and patterns of relating.

By fostering this connection, we can uncover and address relationship patterns, resolve conflicts, and develop healthier ways of relating to others. The goal is to help you gain deeper insights into yourself and your relationships, leading to more fulfilling connections and a better sense of overall well-being.

I integrate neuroscience into our work together to increase sense of safety, grounding and trust. Integrating Polyvagal Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology in our work together.

Polyvagal Theory: Understanding Your Nervous System

Polyvagal Theory helps explain how your body reacts to stress and safety. It shows that your nervous system can be in one of three main states:

1. Safe and Social – When you feel safe, you’re able to relax, connect with others, and feel calm.
2. Fight or Flight – When you sense danger, your body goes into high alert, preparing you to fight or run away.
3. Freeze or Shut Down – If the threat feels overwhelming, your body might shut down or "freeze" as a way to protect itself.

This theory helps us understand why we react the way we do in stressful situations and how we can help ourselves return to feeling safe and connected.

Interpersonal Neurobiology: How Relationships Shape Your Brain

Interpersonal Neurobiology looks at how our brain and nervous system are influenced by our relationships. It shows that our connections with family, friends, and partners actually affect how our brain develops over time. When we feel supported and understood, our brain grows in ways that boost emotional health and resilience.

In therapy, we use this understanding to leverage the power of our relationship to help you heal and grow.

As a therapist who practices Neurodivergence-Affirming Therapy, I believe that neurodiversity—whether you're autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or identify in another way—is a natural variation of the human mind, not something that needs to be "fixed." I understand that navigating a world designed for neurotypical people can be frustrating, overwhelming, and isolating.

In our sessions, I’ll help you understand your unique neurotype and how you think, feel, and communicate. Together, we’ll work on identifying your needs, exploring ways to self-soothe or revive yourself, and safely unmasking in environments where you feel comfortable. I’ll also help you develop healthy boundaries so you can engage and be present with the people and things that matter most to you.

My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can fully be yourself, while helping you feel empowered to thrive in your life, relationships, and personal growth.

As a therapist who practices Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity Affirmative Therapy (GSRD), I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, and relationship types. I understand that if you identify as LGBTQIA+, are in non-monogamous relationships, or fall outside traditional norms, you may face unique challenges like discrimination, stigma, or feeling misunderstood.

I am deeply committed to providing a space where you feel not only accepted but also celebrated for who you are. I believe that affirmative therapy is crucial for the healing and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community because it recognises the unique challenges you may face in a world that isn’t always kind or understanding. My goal is to create a supportive, safe and nurturing environment where you can explore your identity, process your experiences, and find strength in your authenticity.

I know that being part of the LGBTQIA+ community can come with layers of stress and trauma, whether it’s dealing with rejection, discrimination, or the pressure of trying to fit into a society that may not always see or respect you for who you truly are. Affirmative therapy is different because it actively affirms your sexual orientation and gender identity as an integral, beautiful part of who you are—not something to be questioned or fixed.

I believe in working alongside you to explore how these parts of your identity interact with the rest of your life. Whether you’re dealing with feelings of isolation, internalised stigma, or struggles around coming out, I want you to know that this is a safe space for you to be your true self. Here, you will always be met with understanding and compassion. Together, we’ll work to unravel any negative beliefs that may have been imposed on you by society or even family members, and we can journey towards replacing those with self-love and pride.

For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, life experiences—whether it’s bullying, family rejection, or workplace discrimination—can create deep emotional scars. I know how overwhelming this can be. That’s why I’m here to help you not only process these traumas but also to build resilience against the external forces that may have left you feeling marginalised or silenced. Affirmative therapy allows us to address the trauma of these experiences head-on, so you can move forward with a sense of empowerment and self-worth.

If you’ve ever struggled with internalised homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia, I want to support you in confronting and healing from these wounds. These feelings, which often develop when society or close relationships have sent harmful messages about who you are, can run deep. But I’m here to help you navigate these complicated emotions in a way that honours your identity. We’ll work together to shift the focus toward self-acceptance and compassion. I want you to walk away from our sessions feeling more connected to yourself, more at peace with your identity, and more confident in embracing every part of who you are.

For transgender and non-binary individuals, I also understand the specific challenges you may face, whether it's navigating gender dysphoria, the emotional complexities of transitioning, or dealing with the constant misgendering and lack of understanding in everyday life. My goal is to offer you a space where we can explore these challenges without fear of judgment, and to help you find ways to reconnect with your body and identity in an affirming and healing way.

I know that sometimes, the traditional sources of support—like family, faith communities, or even friends—may not have been there for you in the way you needed. It’s one of the hardest realities many LGBTQIA+ individuals face. But here, you don’t have to carry that weight alone. Together, we can explore how to build chosen families and communities that support, uplift, and embrace you exactly as you are.

Above all, I want you to feel that this space is for you. It’s a space where your identity is seen, valued, and respected. My approach to affirmative therapy is about empowering you to celebrate your uniqueness, support you to live with the experiences that may be holding you back, and live a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. You deserve a place where your voice is heard, your story is honoured, and your identity is affirmed—and I’m here to walk with you every step of the way.

Each person has a unique and nuanced sensory system that experiences each sense differently, which impacts how we feel and respond to our environment. This includes not just the traditional senses like sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, but also the vestibular sense (which helps with balance and movement), proprioceptive sense (which helps us understand where our body parts are in space), and interoceptive sense (which helps us feel internal body signals). Transitions, such as moving between places or switching tasks, also play a role in how our sensory system functions.

Because of these differences, what feels overwhelming or calming can vary greatly from one person to another. Sensory processing challenges can make certain environments or situations feel especially difficult, leading to feelings of overstimulation, anxiety, or disconnection.

Sensory Integration is a therapeutic approach that helps the brain better organize and respond to sensory information. It aims to find balance so that your brain and body can work together more effectively. Through activities involving movement, touch, and sound, we’ll work on improving how you handle sensory input, making daily experiences more manageable and comfortable.

Together, we’ll explore what sensory experiences you need more or less of to help you feel more in control and balanced. By understanding your unique sensory needs and how transitions affect you, we can work on reducing feelings of shutdown, meltdowns, panic, or burnout. My goal is to empower you to understand and respond to your sensory system by accessing what you already know within and expanding on this with neuroscience and neurodivergence-affirming care, helping you move through life with greater ease and comfort.

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a way of understanding how we think, feel, and behave based on patterns we’ve learned throughout our lives. It helps explain why we might keep making the same choices or feeling stuck, and how we can change these patterns to lead happier, healthier lives.

Life Script

Think of a "life script" as a kind of story or blueprint we unknowingly follow in life. It’s created based on early experiences, especially in childhood, when we’re picking up on messages from the people around us—family, teachers, friends, and society. These messages shape our beliefs about who we are and how we should behave. For example, if you grew up hearing things like “why cant you be more like X” or “you're lazy,” you might develop a life script where you’re constantly trying to prove yourself or fearing failure.

The tricky part is that life scripts often operate unconsciously. We might not even realise we’re following a script that was created when we were very young. TA helps bring these scripts to light so that we can decide whether we want to keep following them or rewrite our story.

Introjected Messages

Introjected messages are the beliefs or "rules" we take in from others—often when we’re children. These messages shape our life script and affect how we see ourselves and the world. For example, if you internalised “you have to work hard to be valued” or “don’t show your emotions,” you might absorb these beliefs without questioning them. These messages can be both positive or negative, but either way, they shape how we act and feel as adults. TA helps us look at these introjected messages and decide whether they’re really serving us.

Drivers

Drivers are like little internal commands that push us to behave in certain ways, often in response to those introjected messages. Some common drivers include:

• Be Perfect: Always striving for perfection and fearing mistakes.
• Please Others: Constantly putting others' needs before your own to avoid conflict or gain approval.
• Try Hard: Working endlessly, even when you’re exhausted, because you believe effort is the only way to succeed.
• Be Strong: Hiding your emotions and never asking for help.
• Hurry Up: Always rushing and feeling like there’s never enough time.

These drivers are often unconscious, but they can control a lot of our behaviour. In therapy, we explore them so you can start to choose how you respond, instead of being pushed around by these internal pressures.

Hungers

TA also talks about “hungers,” which are basic human needs we all have. These include:

• Recognition Hunger: The need for attention and validation from others.
• Structure Hunger: The need for routine and predictability.
• Stimulus Hunger: The need for excitement, variety, and new experiences.

If our hungers aren’t met in healthy ways, we might end up feeling frustrated, lonely, or stuck. For example, if you don’t get enough recognition, you might settle for any kind of attention, even if it’s negative, or push yourself to extremes to feel noticed.

Ego States

Finally, TA helps us understand our “ego states”—the different parts of our personality that come into play in various situations. These are:

1. Parent: The part of us that mimics the rules, attitudes, and behaviours we learned from our caregivers. The Parent can be nurturing (supportive) or critical (controlling or judgmental).
2. Adult: The rational, present-focused part of us that makes decisions based on the here and now, without being overly emotional or relying on past programming.
3. Child: The part of us that reacts emotionally, either in spontaneous, playful ways (Free Child) or in fearful, rebellious, or obedient ways (Adapted Child).

These ego states help explain why we sometimes act like responsible adults, but other times feel like scared children or bossy parents. By recognising when we’re in a particular ego state, we can gain more control over our reactions.

How It All Comes Together

In therapy, we use TA to explore your life script, figure out where it came from, and how it’s influencing your current behavior. We look at the introjected messages you’ve absorbed, the drivers that push you, and the hungers you’re trying to satisfy. We also work on balancing your ego states so you can respond to situations in a healthy, mindful way.

TA is all about helping you break free from unhelpful patterns and create a life that feels authentic, empowered, and connected to your true needs. By rewriting your life script, you can start to live with more freedom, spontaneity, and self-compassion.

Transgenerational trauma refers to the idea that trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next, affecting not only those who directly experience it but also their descendants.

Science suggests that this occurs through epigenetics, where the trauma-related stress can cause changes in gene expression. These changes don't alter the DNA itself but influence how genes are activated, potentially affecting mental health, stress responses, and behaviors in future generations.

On a spiritual level, transgenerational trauma is often seen as emotional or energetic wounds carried across generations. Healing involves acknowledging ancestral pain and working to release these inherited patterns, fostering a sense of connection, release, and peace for both individuals and their lineage. This integration of science and spirituality helps create a holistic approach to healing deep-rooted traumas.

Gestalt therapy is a humanistic, experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the importance of being present and aware in the moment. It’s grounded in the belief that by gaining awareness of what’s happening in the "here and now," individuals can better understand their behaviours, emotions, and patterns, which ultimately leads to personal growth and healing.

At its core, Gestalt therapy focuses on helping you take ownership of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, encouraging you to be responsible for your choices rather than attributing them to outside forces. This approach fosters self-awareness and empowers you to make conscious, authentic decisions rather than relying on habitual responses.

Complex Trauma happens when someone endures repeated and prolonged stress or harm, often starting in childhood. This ongoing exposure to difficulties, like abuse, neglect, being perpetually misunderstood and mis-attuned to, experiencing discrimination and bulling, or living in a harmful environment, affects many aspects of life, including how you view myself and relate to others.

Complex PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress) can develop from complex trauma. It’s similar to PTS but with additional layers due to the prolonged nature of the trauma. With complex PTS, you might experience:

• Persistent Emotional Pain: Overwhelming feelings like sadness, anger, or fear.
• Difficulty with Relationships: Struggles with trusting others and forming healthy connections.
• Feeling Disconnected: A sense of detachment from myself and others, and trouble connecting with my own feelings.
• Self-Identity Issues: Confusion or fragmentation about my sense of who I am.

In addition to personal trauma, issues in health, education, and employment can also contribute to complex trauma:

• Health Trauma: Repeated health issues, medical neglect, or negative experiences with healthcare.
• Education Trauma: Negative school experiences, such as bullying or a lack of support.
• Employment Trauma: Unfair treatment, discrimination, or job instability.

Marginalisation—being systematically excluded or treated unfairly based on race, neurodivergence, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status—intensifies the effects of complex trauma. It often results in:

• Chronic Stress: Continuous exposure to discrimination and unfair treatment.
• Emotional Challenges: Feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, or depression.
• Identity Struggles: Difficulties understanding my place in the world.

Masking and adapting to fit in or hide parts of myself, particularly related to gender, sexuality, or neurotype, can also take a significant toll. This might mean:

• Masking: Hiding or changing my true self to fit societal expectations or avoid negative reactions, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of disconnection.
• Adapting: Constantly adjusting how I present myself or behave to conform to others’ expectations, which can cause stress and impact my self-esteem.

Understanding how these factors contribute to complex trauma and complex PTSD helps me recognise and address their effects, leading to healing and a more stable, authentic life.