Psychotherapy
in Brighton & Hove

Schema Therapy, CBT, Mindfulness

Therapy for anxiety, depression and dissociation

The process of psychotherapy works to make sense of how you have adapted over time to arrive at the place you find yourself now. It can be very helpful in understanding how past experiences have shaped you and often continue to exert their influence on the present. The process also makes space for any emotions you may have in relation to your experiences so that the past can be left behind leaving you free to enjoy your life and to make any changes to anything that my be holding you back. Integral to the process is a safe space for reflection in the presence of a trained psychotherapist so that you are supported in your process. Many people find it invaluable to have a weekly time for self reflection outside of usual daily activities and come to an understanding of their life that often isn’t achievable without therapy.

How we think, feel and behave have come about as a result of the ongoing interaction between our biology (genes, nervous system, temperament) and the experiences we have had  in our external environment. Our ways of being in the world (helpful and unhelpful) are highly adapted coping modes and survival strategies for the experiences we have had. They are body-mind adaptations and most often, even the things we struggle with, have come from a body and mind attempting to help us.

By the time we reach adulthood our coping strategies, emotions and beliefs have been well rehearsed and these become the ‘mental models’ (schemas) or patterns that are easiest to apply ‘in the moment’. This means that we often repeat strategies and emotions over time, even when they aren’t the best fit. Some of our reactions and coping modes will work fine while others may prevent us from getting the results we want. Psychotherapy can be an important part of helping achieve change.

What approaches do you use for therapy?

I have trained in many approaches of therapy but at the heart of my approach is Schema Therapy, an integrative psychotherapy that combines, psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, object relations, Transactional Analysis techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is an evidence based psychotherapy that helps you to understand the links between childhood experiences and any current emotional or behavioural struggles and is particularly helpful if approaches like CBT alone have not been helpful.  The way we have come to be organised internally is always an attempt to help ourselves thrive and survive and understanding this can be helpful in having patience towards feelings and behaviours that have outlived their usefulness.

What do they help with?

recurring episodes of anxiety or depression
changeable emotions, emotional dysregulation
dissociation
self sabotage
perfectionism
high achievement with an underlying dissatisfaction
childhood trauma
imposter syndrome

What is the Outcome of Therapy?

The outcome of therapy is to help the body and brain regulate emotions differently, for the mind to come to terms with difficult memories and to find new strategies for dealing with daily challenges and relationships. Ultimately is is the opportunity to let go of emotions, memories and ways of coping  that prevent you being free to experience the fullness of present moment, living with greater ease.