SERVICES OFFERED

I offer various approaches, any of which can be tailored to suit your needs. Click on the following links to learn more:

» Deep bodywork & body psychotherapy
» Pulsing rhythmic bodywork
» Bioenergetic massage
» Trauma therapy
» Stress management
» Counselling Plus
» Online counselling

My initial consultation sessions are free of charge and carry no obligation.

My approach to working is very flexible. I do not demand a commitment to a minimum number of sessions, nor to a regular pattern. Most clients do have regular weekly or fortnightly sessions, but others come only they feel the need. I will advise you of the implications of different ways of working, but as a humanistic practitioner I recognise that it is your life and the choice is yours.

I use an integrative approach; this means that different models of therapy are used together creatively, making a unique blend for each individual client. Whatever requirements you may have in terms of bodywork treatments and counselling, whatever you need, I am very happy to tailor sessions to suit you. If you're not sure what would be best, feel free to call me.

Counsellors and life-coaches with an interest in body-centered work and massage therapists wishing to explore body-armouring are very welcome to come for a taster session out of professional curiosity; recognising the power of an integrative mind-body approach, many such professionals have in fact become regular clients as a result.

Deep Bodywork & Body Psychotherapy

My deep bodywork approach is based on Postural Integration, a powerful tool for enabling you to increase your sense of well-being, your capacity to feel, your ability to express, your self-awareness and consciousness. The heart of this is deep tissue manipulation to release body-armouring, but involves a rich mix of: counselling to help you through immediate problems; breathwork, movement and reflective body focusing to increase your bodily self-awareness and felt sense of issues; psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy and psychodrama (role play) to address deep patterning; dreamwork; art therapy and creative writing.

How these supportive approaches are woven into a session will be determined by you. We are all unique individuals, with differing wants, needs, likes, dislikes: I do not try to make you conform to some theoretical idea of what a client 'should' be or do, or what 'should' happen in a session. My role is to offer you creative possibilities to explore yourself in whatever way feels most productive or relevant at any given time - and always within safe and appropriate boundaries. The goal is to help you become more aware of what you hold in both your mind and your body and the connections between them, and to bring your whole self into greater harmony. The goal is to give you more room to breathe, more space to be. The goal is to empower you.

I encourage a creative dialogue between us. As we work I will be encouraging you to respond: to breathe, speak, make connections, move, feel. Because deep bodywork involves physical touch, I work very sensitively and always respect your sense of modesty and personal boundaries. Sessions may sometimes be challenging, but you will never be pressured beyond your comfort zone.

Whatever method of therapy you choose, it seems that an essential key to opening the door to change and healing is a wonderful mystery in the relationship between client and therapist. What I offer is a space in which this little bit of human magic can occur.

» Back to top

Pulsing rhythmic bodywork

Pulsing is a wonderful treatment to help you move more freely and feel more alive. It is a rhythmic, rocking movement-based bodywork and is perhaps the most deeply relaxing and most nurturing form of bodywork. With its wave-like movements, Pulsing works with the body's natural rhythms and has a profoundly relaxing yet energising effect, helping to release physical tension and emotional stress. It has many benefits on both physical and emotional levels; on a purely functional level it improves movement repertoire, making it highly beneficial to athletes, dancers, practitioners of yoga and other physical disciplines, or anyone who wishes to improve their flexibility, balance and co-ordination.

Pulsing is often described as "The Tai Chi of massage". While this captures something of its spirit, Pulsing actually contains little of what most people would consider as 'massage.' Although you lie on a couch, you may remain fully clothed, no oil is used and there are no long strokes or deep work on muscles. It is about mobility and movement. I think of it more in terms of a dance. You, the receiver, are allowing me to dance your body; you do not need to make an effort or do anything except relax into the movement and connect with breath and awareness to the pulse of your body.

In its emotional range it may be relaxing, playful, energising, reflective or supportive, depending on your needs. Whatever you are looking for, it is an absolute delight to receive.

I have a dedicated website where you can learn more about Pulsing

» Back to top

Bioenergetic massage

Most people will know that massage is a very relaxing treatment that provides many benefits to the physical systems of the body, such as easing muscular tension, reducing pain from musculoskeletal injuries, stimulating the immune system and improving circulation and lymphatic drainage; it also reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Conventional massage tends to be a purely manual therapy: the therapist is treating your body. In what I call 'bioenergetic massage' my aim is to treat you as a whole person.

I combine Swedish and other massage techniques with approaches derived from a variety of bodywork methodologies, including Postural Integration and Bioenergetics. While the massages I offer carry all the benefits of conventional massage, I am additionally working with connection and energetic charge. I never lose sight of the fact that you are a unique individual with your own characteristic patterns of muscular holding and energetic integrity. I do not take a formulaic approach, but listen to your body and respond to the story it wants to tell me.

It has long been established that touch is absolutely essential for babies to thrive; it is now being recognised that adults need it too, and that our society is becoming increasingly and unhealthily out of touch with touch. Many people are touch-deprived and suffer from what has been called 'skin hunger.' This is especially true of people who are not in a relationship, while those who are may not experience 'selfless touch' - one that carries no demands for reciprocation.

My approach allows you to meet your need for nurturing touch and human connection, and encourages you to experience yourself in your skin without fear.

» Back to top

Trauma therapy

The aim of trauma therapy is to help you reduce levels of post-traumatic stress (PTS) and improve the quality of your day-to-day life. I use a gentle and respectful approach combining talk, gentle breathwork and body awareness. Many existing approaches to trauma focus on the painful details of the incident, which may actually cause PTS to worsen rather than diminish. My aim is to help you re-establish your sense of control, diminish the anxiety and rebalance the body's systems. There is normally no touch involved in these sessions.

» Back to top

Stress management

The focus here is on helping you manage your levels of stress and to equip with you with practical tools to assist relaxation. This may include breathwork, gentle movement exercises and guided meditation to help reduce immediate levels of stress, as well as teaching you various relaxation techniques that you can use in your everyday life. There is normally no touch involved in these sessions.

» Back to top

Counselling Plus

This is supportive talk-based counselling, but combined with some gentle breathwork and movement awareness. The medical profession now recognises the importance of the body in treating depression, and regular exercises is now routinely prescribed. However, sometimes people struggle to look after themselves and feel unable to start a program of exercise. Counselling Plus can be a very good way of preparing yourself for this, as it helps you start connecting with your body and building a new relationship to it, while focussing primarily on your need for support.

» Back to top