Neurodivergence
Childless, not by choice
It is a privilege for me to support people who are not parents, not by choice, whatever the circumstances. You may feel that your story is unheard and your griefs unrecognised or invalidated, even by the people closest to you. Know that you deserve to be witnessed.
Middle Years
Internal struggles
Hello! My name is Emma.
I am a therapist. My pronouns are she/her.
You wish life could flow smoothly…
… that you could make decisions and take risks without thinking through every possible outcome and response from the people around you. That you felt in touch with yourself and confident that you could be understood. Instead you find yourself saying ‘yes’ when you would rather say ‘no’; ‘no’ when you really mean ‘yes’; giving too much then withdrawing, exhausted.
Discover the strength in your vulnerabilities.
I will support you in finding that sense of calm that comes when you know and trust yourself. You will feel more comfortable advocating for yourself, because you will know you are worthy of it.
People often fear that therapy is a one-size-fits all experience which will only reinforce that sense of not being heard or understood – of somehow being ‘wrong’. I know that you and your circumstances are unique, and each step we take is tailored to you, and always with your needs and ways of thinking in mind.
First, we may identify the habits, experiences and relationship dynamics that may be at play. We can then explore the impact they have on you, and how they may have come into being. Next we consider the different ways of understanding or approaching the issue that may be most supportive for you.
Through our work together you’ll feel more confident in your ability to know what you need – and to advocate for it.
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”
Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
I offer warmth, compassion, creativity and – yes! – humour.
I know that the most healing part of therapy is the relationship we create. Drawing on different therapeutic theories and techniques, I will support you with curiosity and compassion as you explore your experiences and make connections.
Together we will create a space where you can say difficult things and experience difficult feelings and know that you are not being judged – that you are safe. We will work towards releasing some of the thoughts that haunt you, finding more motivation, focus or energy for the people and projects you choose to focus on.
Therapy provides time and space when you can be yourself, be honest and be vulnerable with someone you trust.
I hold a therapeutic space which is warm, safe, honest and well-informed. I have the expertise you need and deserve. I also get how it is to struggle to feel heard or understood or truly seen.
I know, from experience, the healing power of self acceptance and self compassion.
I understand it because I’ve lived this myself. I know how it is to feel like you are talking a different language from the people around you. If this is a part of your experience too, when we work together you will get someone who understands deeply.
“The point of therapy isn’t to get rid of anything, but to help it transform.”
Richard Schwartz, “The Larger Self”
My Approach
As a therapist and clinical supervisor I am straightforward and compassionate. Whilst our emphasis will be on how things are for you in the present day, we may well spend time exploring the influence of past experiences and relationships.
From time to time I may ask whether you can notice a response in your body. Finding or strengthening the relationship between mind and body can lead to a deeper and more compassionate understanding of our habitual thoughts, feelings and actions.
We may also explore your relationship with yourself and your own internal system, drawing on self-compassion practices including acceptance and mindfulness.
Self compassion is a foundation stone of my work.
Our work will be a collaboration: I bring my skills and training, but you are the expert on yourself! I may offer ideas for further reading or listening. For example, I find the writings and meditations shared by Tara Brach, Richard Schwartz and Pema Chödrön to be particularly helpful. Where it may support the therapy I may offer ‘psychoeducation’, for example by explaining a theory of how the brain works, or attachment patterns, or trauma responses.
The ideal therapeutic relationship is healing, restorative and supportive. My work with you will have this at its heart.
My approach is consent-led and trauma-informed.
This means that I will ask what ways of communicating and therapeutic techniques feel most comfortable for you. I will check regularly that you feel safe and will take time to reflect on how you are experiencing therapy.
I do not treat diverse identities, communication needs or ways of experiencing the world as a problem; nor do I treat trauma responses as evidence of a mental health disorder. I understand that our varied neurobiologies, identities and lived experiences shape how we experience the world.
I affirm and value your lived experiences and the understanding you draw from them. I aim to be collaborative, identity-affirming and trauma-informed – and if I ever fall short I will work to do better next time.
Alongside my therapy work, I offer clinical supervision for therapists and counsellors, and others in healing, holding and supportive roles.
“Listening is not a reaction, it is a connection. Listening to a conversation or a story, we don’t so much respond as join in – become part of the action.”
Ursula Le Guin, “Telling Is Listening” in The Wave in the Mind: Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader, and the Imagination (2004)
Taking this first step can be hard.
Contact me to book a free 20-minute call. You can ask questions and get a sense of whether how I work might suit you.
There is no commitment to have therapy with me: this is a chat about what might be helpful for you.
“When inspiration has become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of pain itself… In the midst of loneliness, in the midst of fear, in the middle of feeling misunderstood and rejected is the heartbeat of all things.”
Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart
I am not able to provide an urgent or emergency response. If you’re in crisis, please contact one of these organisations.