Special interests

Anxiety and depression can often be felt together, usually with one dominating your life more than the other. These are the most common reasons that leads many people to seek therapy.

Anxiety can invade our lives in a variety of ways, sometimes it might be an underlying feeling and other times it might be felt acutely. Anxiety can present as generalised, in social situations, as obsessive behaviours and unwanted thoughts, as panic attacks and fear - it can, literally, keep you awake at night.

Depression can leave you feeling sad and miserable, or feeling like life is without hope. You might find yourself “living in the past”, or feeling like the outside world is overly negative and bad. You might be feeling angry or tired more often, or struggling with negative thoughts.

The death of a loved one can often leave us feeling discombobulated, out of sorts, lost, and lonely. Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. You might want space to talk about your thoughts and feelings, or you might want some support while you go through this difficult time.

My experience of working with bereaved clients has given me valuable experience and insights into the myriad of ways death can leave us feeling.  You might be grieving the loss of a partner, family member, friend, or family pet.

Loss is not just about a physical bereavement, it might focus on the loss of a relationship or job - this might leave you feeling anxious.

I have a keen interest in working with clients who are interested in learning more about themselves from the perspective of identity. 

You might be struggling with your role within the family, your relationship or career. You might be feeling directionless or lacking purpose. Or maybe you have thoughts, feelings and experiences that relate to race, gender, ethnicity, class, faith, spirituality, masculinity or femininity…

Maybe you have reached a transition stage in life and you’re struggling with adapting to the new challenges and changes this brings. 

It can be deeply rewarding and illuminating exploring who you are as a person, as well as learning about how your identity and personal experiences have shaped who you are today.

It’s important for LGBTQ+ clients to have a therapist and a space that feels safe, irrespective of what might be troubling you. My aim is to work with the whole person, not just one aspect of your identity.

You might be having difficulties with relationships or your family that leave you feeling lonely and isolated. Maybe you feel stuck and unfulfilled with life and you’re looking for a space to reflect on who you are and where you want to go. 

Perhaps you’re stuck in a cycle of materialism, party culture, or struggling with the stress of starting a family. 

While I work with all genders, I do have an interest in working with men on issues relating to mental health.

It can be tough for men to seek help when struggling with mental health, and as such, many men feel more comfortable working with a male therapist.

A lot of men struggle with how to manage conflict within relationships, which might leave you feeling angry and frustrated with yourself and your partner. 

You might be struggling with anxiety and depression, or low self-esteem. You might have thoughts and feelings that relate to who you are as man, or who you are as a father. 

Intimate partner abuse is underreported in men, and for many men, it can be difficult to recognise the signs of an unhealthy relationship. You might feel like you’re walking on eggshells, angry with yourself or feel ashamed.

It can be a tricky and traumatic world to navigate when you’re neurodivergent. You might have had a diagnosis or identification for ADHD or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), or you might be on a waiting list or have self identified. 

It can be helpful to reflect on what a diagnosis / identification means to you and what you would like from one. You might feel like you don’t fit into society; you might be feeling anxious and depressed, or frustrated with yourself. 

I recognise that for many adults this is a new area, and you might want space to explore how your neurodivergence has shaped your experiences and feelings about yourself. 

Neurodiversity also includes Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. 

Relationships make up a large percentage of our lives, whether it’s romantic, friendship or family, so it’s no surprise that they often come with their own challenges. 

You might be struggling with conflict or commitment, or perhaps infidelity has been an issue. You might want space to explore what type of romantic relationship you want and what that means to you. 

Issues relating to sex might be a factor, or maybe you’re looking to gain more autonomy in your relationship. 

As an accredited psychotherapist, I am open to taking on trainee therapists. I have experience of working with trainees and can offer something a little different from the traditional, classic, psychodynamic psychotherapist by bringing a more interactive, creative approach. 

I would suit anyone who is working towards a degree or diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy or integrative psychotherapy (and who is interested in the psychodynamic part of their training).

Being a student can be stressful no matter your age, but particularly for young adults, the transition from school to entering the wider world can be challenging. 

You might be struggling with exam pressure, the life of being a PhD student, or you might want to talk about difficulties with a relationship, anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem or low confidence. 

For young adults, the challenges of life can feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Finding your place and discovering your identity can sometimes feel confusing, hard and lonely. You might be struggling with body image, relationships, friendships, work stress…