THE THERAPEUTIC TRIAD

My interest in psychology and various therapeutic approaches sparked more than twenty years ago. Going through various adverse childhood experiences, being surrounded by unhealthy behaviours, and displaying unhealthy behaviours, understanding the mind and human behaviours becomes something of high interest. Hence, I went on to study Psychology, and I found it amazing! I initially wanted to study clinical psychology, but I was looking for more, so I decided to pursue a career in the Human Resources and Recruitment field. This time of my life was truly spectacular! I worked and met so many wonderful people. I still carry some wisdom from that time. My favourite is: “I am too poor to buy cheap shoes”, and I genuinely believe it, but I also love shoes, so it’s a good excuse when I want to buy another pair. I developed strong diplomatic and professional skills, learned to adjust my communication style, and refined my people skills, which, over time, correlated with a high level of empathy and authenticity, becoming my strengths as a person and now as a therapist.

Time passed, and when I discovered a Health Psychology Master's at the University of the West of England, it felt like the right approach to follow. I have always believed in the biopsychosocial approach, which views the person holistically: body, mind, and shaped by the surrounding environment. That was the time when I truly understood how traumatic it had been to receive the diagnosis of a chronic condition in my early twenties, how it had impacted my identity as a woman and how it had taken over my being and my life. I went through all the stages of grief, and it turned my world upside down. But with great support around me, therapy, and friends, I managed to rebuild myself, the way I feel about myself. This time, in a conscious manner, by my values and beliefs, my wishes for the future, and how I wanted to conduct my life. 

Immediately after receiving my MSc qualification, I began working as a Specialist Mentor, providing mental and emotional support to students who are challenged by various disabilities, ADHD and/or other long-term conditions, and/or learning difficulties. When I studied for my undergraduate degree, I remember feeling that my mind was scattered. I had no notion of time management or prioritisation, struggled to study and focus, and lacked motivation to take a proactive approach to exam preparation. I would end up not sleeping well, not eating the last two days before exams, and struggling to study.

Now, I understand that I needed guidance and support, and nowadays, someone does not need to spend years trying to change unhealthy beliefs and behaviours to healthy ones. You need the right support, tailored to your unique needs at that time. Hence, working with students holds a significant place in my heart. In my quest to develop as an individual and professional, I began studying the Person-Centred Approach (more commonly known as counselling). The counselling course was mind-blowing from a personal development perspective. I had to go back to therapy to process, challenge and integrate old, deeply ingrained beliefs. At a professional level, developing and applying the Person-Centred Approach made a significant difference; however, I soon identified a new obstacle: trauma. Hence, I studied and integrated a one-year Trauma-Informed and Somatic Psychotherapy course (Compassionate Inquiry created and developed by Gabor Mate and Sat Dharam), which allows for a thorough exploration of traumatic experiences and their expressions through somatic work. This approach facilitates the processing and integration of perceived traumatic experiences, reducing the intensity of triggers and enhancing the quality of life.

Studying Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy at The UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy was the cherry on top! I have always been fascinated by hypnotherapy, and I believe it beautifully complements my skill set by bringing relaxation and imagination to their finest through powerful, tailored suggestions for the client.

I now support women navigating life with ADHD traits, anxiety and depression, overwhelm, burnout, emotional intensity, exhaustion, dysregulation, and negative self-beliefs and self-doubt, as well as parents and carers of neurodivergent children who are carrying a lot behind the scenes. Using an integrative, trauma-informed approach that combines evidence-based psychology, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and somatic work, we go beyond surface-level coping to create in-depth, lasting change. I hold a non-judgemental space where you can feel understood, listened to and seen, where all your thoughts and emotions are welcomed for exploration to gain a sense of self, so you can move through life with greater calm, clarity, and confidence.