Working Through Life’s Challenges Together

Elizabeth

  • My name is Elizabeth, I'm a fully qualified integrative psychotherapist, accredited by the BACP and also work as a clinical supervisor, group facilitator, and well-being practitioner.

    I want to begin by thanking you for considering me as your therapist. To anyone returning, I am deeply grateful for your continued trust as we extend our work together.

    In this bio, I’ll share a professional overview and discuss what inspired me to become a therapist. I will also give insight into how I look after myself within a very emotionally demanding profession and voice to you what makes me different as a therapist.

    When considering how I work, I will briefly overview my therapy approach to provide you with a deeper personal experience. I speak and invite you to think about being open-minded when considering whether or not to accept an invitation to engage in creative therapy.

    My approach to working with couples and supervision can be seen on our services page.

  • Before we start our therapy sessions, I always begin with a comprehensive assessment. This involves gathering detailed information about your background, personal history, current challenges, and considerations for the therapy process. I use this assessment to gain a deeper understanding of your unique situation and how you perceive it. By doing so, I can tailor the therapy to best meet your needs and provide the most effective support.

    In the therapy room, we initially take it at a slow pace. We begin with introductions, and if you have any questions I am always happy to answer to give you better clarity.

    Through my genuine care and gentle approach, I create a space that feels welcoming and warm. I believe the relationship and environment are crucial for you to speak about the challenges you face.

    I aim to build a balanced dynamic between us, a professional yet genuine relationship where you feel we are equal—just two people sitting in a room, sharing, connecting, and finding a way forward. I tentatively listen to you speak about your situation so I can begin to understand your world and the way you see it.

    We proceed with therapy at your pace, taking into account all aspects of your life—your surroundings, personal choices, habits, relationships, work, health, trauma, and where you are in life. I truly believe that all these things are connected and crucial to understanding your world.

    You're not in this alone, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

  • My core approach is based on the Clarkson 5 Relationship Model, which focuses on building authentic, meaningful relationships in therapy. From our first session, we’ll explore your unmet needs and work towards emotional healing, while also tapping into deeper, sometimes spiritual, aspects of self.

    As an integrative psychotherapist, I draw from a range of modalities, tailoring therapy to you. Including:

    • Relational

    • Phenomenological

    • Psychodynamic

    • Humanistic

    • Existential

    • Psychoanalytic

    • Gestalt

    • Humanistic

    • Mindfulness / Guided Meditation and Imagery

    • Inner-Child Work

    • Attachment-based therapy

    • ACT

    • CBT

    • EFT

    • DBT

    • Trauma-focused therapy

    • Somatic Therapy

    • Creative Work

    • Dreamwork

    • Transactional Analysis

    • Existential

    • Jungian

    • Transpersonal psychology

    • Spiritual

    • Developmental

    • Rewind Technique

    • IFS (Parts of self)

    • Gottman Method

    We may also explore the relationship you have with yourself, family dynamics and early attachments through Family Systems Theory to better understand how past patterns influence your present.

  • Becoming a therapist wasn’t always part of my plan, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people in some meaningful way. Life has thrown me many challenges, and while I’ve always had a strong mindset, I’ve also learned the importance of pausing to reflect and regroup before moving forward. The universe has continuously sent me experiences and people that challenged my way of thinking.

    Then, one day, a special young girl told me I’d make a good therapist. It was only then a seed had been planted for me to consider this path. Her sweet words sparked my curiosity, so I delved into studying. This path was no ordinary career, it has challenged me as a person, yet has rewarded me with personal and professional growth. My career has not only enabled me to accomplish a deeper fulfilment in my life and work, but with people seeking the same awakening.

  • Taking care of myself is what allows me to truly be present for you. I have a strong support system personally and professionally I attend clinical supervision. When needed I access personal therapy, where I explore new techniques to deepen my understanding of any emerging issues.

    On a more personal level, I love spending time with family, socialising with close friends, and exploring various interests such as reading, travel, history, art, and architecture. I’m also passionate about playing the cello— all of which brings balance and joy to my life.

  • Working With Mind and Body

    • I work with mind and body, as these are connected in the way we communicate. I listen attentively to the way speak, use of language, the tone of your voice, your bodies expression, to connect with your world with curiosity and sincerity.

    Creating a Secure Base

    • I create a safe and non-judgmental space that feels emotionally supportive to you. Those that know me, describe me as having a calm nature, trustworthy and easy to open up to.

    Gentle Challenge

    • My strong communication skills, developed through years of diverse professional experiences, help me challenge clients in a gentle, supportive way. While this might sometimes feel uncomfortable, taking risks can often lead to a shift in perspective and personal growth. I’ve learned from my own experiences with therapists that avoiding necessary challenges can hinder your progress.

    Ongoing Professional Development

    • I believe in ongoing self-improvement to enhance my expertise and deepen my self-understanding.

  • Language isn’t always enough to express or connect with your inner experiences or emotions. Therefore I, at times, incorporate creative therapy techniques when words fall short. Creative approaches, such as art, music, drama, and guided meditation, allow you to connect with different parts of yourself and bring your unconscious (out of your awareness) thoughts/emotions to the surface. While this may feel unusual initially, these methods are designed to help you open up and explore your emotions in a new way.

    • BA (Hons) in Counselling

    • FdSc in Counselling

    • Degree in Healthcare

    • Family & Relationship Counselling & Psychotherapy

    • Clinical Supervisor

    • Group Facilitator

    • Well-being Practitioner

    • Young People's & Children Counselling

    • Specialised Bereavement, Loss & Grief Practitioner

    • Trauma & Resilience Psychotherapy

    • Suicide and Self-harm Practitioner

    • Foundation for Infant & Baby Loss Practitioner

    • Criminal Psychology

    • Rewind Technique Practitioner

    • Freedom Program Trainer

  • I thrive on continuous learning, having completed various CPD courses in areas shared below. My career has taken me to diverse settings, including A&E, mental health services, rehabilitation, community health, schools, and end-of-life care.

    • Domestic Violence

    • Attachment 

    • Couple Work: Esther Perel, John Gottman & Gary Chapman

    • Parts Work & IFS

    • Schema Therapy

    • Inner Child Work

    • Reparenting

    • Anxiety & Stress

    • Mood disorders

    • Divorce, Separation & Break-ups

    • Childhood Abuse

    • PTSD & CPTSD

    • Self-esteem, Self-love & Motivation

    • Rehealing the Nervous System 

    • Neurodevelopmental conditions (incl. ADHD, ASD & OCD)

    • Chronic Pain & Disability - Incl. Neurological disorders (e.g. FND, migraines, Chronic Fatigue) and physical health conditions (e.g. infertility, PCOS, and arthritis)

    • Anger Management 

    • Attachment, Co-dependency & Boundaries 

    • Adult & Child Psychology

    • Transactional Analysis

    • Gestalt & Creative Work

    • Psychoanalysis / Psychodynamic 

    • Suicide prevention training

    • Mindfulness, Guided Meditation and Imagery

    • Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

    • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Self-care’

    • Safeguarding Adults & Children

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Life after Suicide’

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Sudden and Traumatic Death’

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Death of a Child of any Age’

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Trauma Awareness’

    • Cruse Bereavement Care ‘Ongoing Telephone Support’

    • How to do counselling online: a coronavirus primer

    • Cruse Bereavement Support ‘Safeguarding’

  • Top Specialties

    • Relationships, Attachment, Boundaries & Co-dependency

    • Couples Issues (Incl. Divorce, Separation, Infidelity, Communication, Intimacy, Emotional Absence, Marital and Premarital)

    • Bereavement, Loss and Grief (Incl. Sudden & Traumatic Death, Complicated & Anticipatory grief, Miscarriages & Baby Loss)

    • Childhood Abuse

    • Anxiety & Depression

    • Domestic Abuse

    • Trauma and PTSD

    • Forgiveness of Self and Others

    Expertise

    • Coping Skills

    • Eating Disorders

    • Family Conflict

    • Hoarding

    • Parenting

    • Shame & Guilt

    • Abandonment

    • Personal development

    • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Parent Guilt

    • Self-esteem

    • Motivation

    • Anger management

    • Career difficulties

    • Work-related stress

    • Bipolar disorder

    • Coping with life changes

    • Self-love

    • Self-esteem

    • Compassion fatigue

    • Suicidal Ideation

    • Bullying

    • Self-Harming

    • Sexual Abuse

    • Stress

    • Women's Issues

    • Mood dysregulation

    • Body Image

    • Cancer

    • Isolation

    • Jealousy

    • Life purpose

    • Existential crisis

    • Emptiness

    • Control issues

    • Social Anxiety

    • OCD

    • LGBT

    • Family Conflicts

    • Separation Anxiety

Together we can find a way forward