How I work

I am trained as a counselling psychologist which means that I use psychological theories to guide how I practise, but I believe that each person’s experience is unique and therefore the type of counselling used will vary.

By developing a deeper awareness of ourselves, it is possible to begin to make changes or adjustments in our lives. Past events, particularly in childhood, can often hold the key to understanding our thoughts, behaviour and emotions.

The safe, confidential and non-judgemental counselling I offer can help, among other things, to develop sensitivity to what drives us and an understanding of why we sometimes repeat destructive patterns.

However, at other times clients may wish to work on specific difficulties and like help to find strategies and solutions for which I will use a more directive counselling technique such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

For traumatic memories such as bullying, rape and abuse and also for treating phobias I use mainly EMDR techniques.

EMDR (Eye movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can produce rapid and powerful results and is recommended in the N.I.C.E (National Institute for Clinical Excellence). When a person experiences trauma certain functions of the brain are disrupted and the the body's natural healing processes have become interrupted. EMDR facilitates and mobilises these healing processes. EMDR works directly on the brain and automatic nervous system so that the traumatic memory can be filed away in the past and be remembered just as a memory without the accompanying distress and the flashbacks. Even though EMDR is a powerful process (and should only be conducted by fully qualified practitioners) the client remains in charge at all times. By stimulating each side of the brain in turn (I use tappers which are placed in the client's hands) it enables the brain to repair any disruptions caused by trauma or difficult experiences.

In completing my initial training in the Middle East where I lived for 17 years, I have vast experience of working with clients from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

I also offer counselling in Swedish.