Psychotherapy
If you are new to psychotherapy, it can sometimes seem a mysterious process, with different models of therapy and ways of working which can lead to confusion as to what actually happens in therapy and what the process may entail. As it is important that you and I have a shared understanding of what therapy is, I will explain how I understand psychotherapy and how I work.
When thinking about therapy, I often liken it to tending to a tree. In order for it to flourish, gardeners tend to the roots underground, paying attention to what lies beneath the surface in order to allow the external branches and foliage to grow stronger. Similarly, psychotherapy involves paying attention to what lies beneath the surface in order for you to flourish and grow as a person, nurturing your emotional wellbeing and accepting that you are worthy of such attention and care.
We will meet regularly, usually once a week, and in our first session we will identify what has brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to get from it. Together we will explore what troubles you at a pace that is comfortable for you. Whatever your reason for coming to therapy, the process will deepen your self-awareness and enable you to understand yourself with renewed insight and compassion.
Psychotherapy does not offer advice or solutions to problems, rather it allows a supportive and safe place for you to discover your own solutions. Some people may attend therapy for a few sessions and feel that this is 'enough', whereas others may feel that they would benefit from a longer-term therapy. Each person is different and there is no 'one size fits all' approach, therefore I will meet you where you are emotionally and together we can explore what you need.
Therapy allows an opportunity to work through historic traumas and emotional pains and the ways that these may manifest themselves in the present. I am experienced in working with people to help them with childhood traumas, including abuse, abandonment and bereavement, by helping them to connect with their 'inner child' and heal the wounded child within. I can work with historic traumas without needing to know all the specific details of what happened, unless you choose to tell me - I will not 'rush' you and we will work at a pace that is right for you.
How I work
I am a trained integrative therapist; this means that I work in a way that is right for you. Some people want to focus on a present issue whereas others want to explore past experiences and the impact these are having in their present life. The therapy will go at a pace that suits you to enable you to feel emotionally safe and authentically heard.
I believe that the foundation of all effective therapy is the therapeutic relationship; this is the safe, honest and respectful relationship we build together in order for you to safely explore past pains and present challenges.
I have a PhD in Social Justice and strongly believe that therapy should be inclusive. I am an anti-racist ally, an LGBTQIA+ ally, disability inclusive and trans-inclusive.
As a feminist psychotherapist I follow feminist therapeutic principles:
The personal is political
Empowering women and honouring their experiences
The therapeutic relationship is egalitarian
Actively work against forms of oppression based on gender, race, class, culture, disability and sexuality
My Qualifications
PhD in Social Justice
MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
FdA in Counselling
I also have trained with world renowned trauma psychotherapist Babette Rothschild in Somatic Trauma Therapy
I have experience of working therapeutically with:
Anxiety and Depression
Bereavement
Childhood Trauma
Chronic Illness
CPTSD/PTSD
Disabilities
Relationship Difficulties
Mature Students
Neurodiversity
Workplace Stress
Survivors of Domestic Abuse (including honour-based violence)
Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence (including FGM)
Survivors of War, Torture and Human Trafficking
My specialism is working therapeutically with survivors of:
Domestic abuse
Domestic violence
Coercive control
Sexual violence
I have also previously worked in women's refuges and worked for Welsh Women's Aid in the training department writing and delivering their national training programmes.
Hourly fees
I charge £60 per session.
I also offer a limited number of concessionary spaces for keyworkers, unemployed and counselling students, please contact me for more information.
Choosing the right therapist is an important decision, for this reason I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation to answer any questions you might have. There is no obligation to book a session with me after our telephone consultation.
Please contact me to book an appointment or a telephone consultation.
I work in Carmarthen. There are stairs to the room - if you have mobility difficulties, please enquire about online therapy.
Breathe by Becky Helmsley
I believe that counselling and psychotherapy gives you a space to simply breathe, to be your authentic self and where you will be met without judgement but with acceptance. This poem captures what I hope my therapeutic approach can offer you.
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