Here are some common questions you might have about my approach and what to expect from working together.
Q: What is the difference between “counselling” and “somatic psychotherapy”? A: Counselling often involves talking through thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns to gain insight and develop coping strategies. Somatic psychotherapy, however, integrates body awareness into the healing process. It recognizes that trauma, stress, and emotions are held not just in our minds, but in our bodies. By gently guiding you to notice bodily sensations, we can release stored tension, regulate your nervous system, and achieve deeper, more lasting emotional shifts that talking alone might not reach.
Q: What is Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry, and how is it used in sessions? A: Compassionate Inquiry (CI) is a psychotherapeutic approach developed by world-renowned trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté. It’s a gentle yet profound method for uncovering the origins of our current patterns, behaviors, and conditions by exploring what’s truly happening beneath the surface. In sessions, I will compassionately guide you through questions and observations to help you connect with suppressed emotions, beliefs, and experiences held within your body and mind, leading to deep self-acceptance and liberation from old patterns. It’s about revealing, not fixing.
Q: I’m outside of York. Can I still work with you? How effective is online therapy? A: Absolutely! While I offer in-person sessions in York, I proudly work with clients from five countries online. Online therapy is incredibly effective and offers the same depth, connection, and transformative potential as in-person sessions. Many clients find the comfort and convenience of engaging from their own space actually enhances their ability to be vulnerable and connect deeply. All you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection.
Q: I struggle with [ADHD / compassion fatigue / anxiety / chronic pain]. How can your approach help me? A: My approach is highly effective for a wide range of challenges because it addresses the root causes, not just the symptoms. For ADHD, as someone who also navigates life with an ADHD brain, I offer unique insights and support in managing its complexities. For compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, we’ll use trauma-informed and somatic methods to understand how your body holds stress and past experiences. This allows for genuine healing, reducing overwhelm, shifting your nervous system, and cultivating sustainable well-being, rather than just coping.
Q: I’m a vegan animal activist/rescuer. What kind of support and discount do you offer? A: As an ethical vegan and animal sanctuary founder, I deeply understand the unique pressures, burnout, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and isolation often experienced by activists and rescuers. My tailored support focuses on helping you sustain your vital work by prioritizing your own well-being, processing vicarious trauma, and building resilience. To honor your dedication, I offer exclusive discounts for this community. Please reach out to me directly to discuss this further.
Q: Are you registered with a professional body and insured? A: Yes, absolutely. I am fully registered and insured with the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT), ensuring that my practice adheres to high professional and ethical standards. Your safety and confidentiality are my top priorities.
Q: I’ve been scared to try therapy, or skeptical it could help. What should I expect? A: It’s completely normal to feel apprehensive or skeptical, especially if past experiences haven’t met your needs. My space is built on unconditional acceptance and genuine curiosity, not judgment. You don’t need to “perform” or know exactly what to say. We’ll start wherever you are, moving at your pace. The goal is to create a truly safe space where you can be fully yourself, breathe, and begin a journey of deep self-acceptance and profound change, without pressure or expectation.
Q: How do I book a session? A: Taking the first step is courageous. You can book a 1-to-1 session directly by scrolling down on any page of this website. If you have further questions before booking, please don’t hesitate to contact me through the contact form, and I’ll be happy to help.
Q: How much are your services?
Individual counselling, psychotherapy and compassionate inquiry start at £50 per session for regular, weekly 1:1 meetings, paid in advance
