I trained in Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) with Devon Ashwood at Action on Addiction’s Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and have been running MBRP groups at Start2Stop, an addiction treatment centre in London, since 2013. I completed certification in bio-feedback (HeartMath 2018), delivering scientifically validated methods to help clients increase resilience in challenging emotional climates.

I supported clients at The Hepatitis C Trust 2009-2018, working with disproportionately affected groups with a high prevalence of mental health disorders and addiction issues, who are often marginalised and have poor access to healthcare and health outcomes, including injecting drug users, the homeless and ethnic minorities.

My experience in the Third Sector developing, funding and delivering outreach programs for Hepatitis C clients, has allowed me to acquire growing recognition and knowledge of ‘syndemics’, where clusters of disease and mental health disorders act collectively and exacerbate the prognosis and burden for those affected, and I have promoted the need to build strong public health systems that are accessible, affordable, and available for vulnerable populations.

I am a founder member of the Trauma Centre UK, a new, patient-centred, peer-led charity that promotes trauma awareness, understanding and education within professional bodies and institutions, with the aim of improving trauma related public services.

 

LANGUAGES

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Fluent English.

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HOW I WORK

 

It is common for clients to get stuck in conventional therapy, especially in regard to trauma related disorders. Sometimes a client stops making progress or even begins to slide backwards. In cases where drugs and talk therapy have not been fully effective, I offer proven alternatives and ways to help the toughest of clients overcome resistance, in its many forms.

Development of personal resilience and self-regulation are at the centre of my work. I aim to assist and encourage clients in recognising the importance of self-care and personal practice, leading to greater emotional self-regulation and the capacity to tolerate the ups and downs, frustrations and setbacks that inevitably occur.

Above all, my ethos is patient centred. As well as one-to-one, home appointments and via Skype, I work with clients in small trauma assessment groups and where trauma is focused, using EMDR group protocols. This has given me growing insight as to the extent EMDR, mindfulness and focused yoga practice may be effectively integrated with other therapies or used in small amounts in conjunction with long term psychotherapy.

My intensive EMDR weekend programs offer a combination of several EMDR sessions, trauma focused mindfulness exercises and trauma focused bodywork with emphasis on stability, grounding and, where possible, positive resource activation.

I’m currently running two 4-week introduction to mindfulness courses. They’re either addiction or depression specific and focus on core meditation, bodywork and awareness, emphasising acceptance of present experience, the gradual application of home practice and introduction of self-care, support and lifestyle balance.

As well as face-to-face sessions I provide Skype Therapy and/or telephone sessions tailored to accommodate the needs of busy professionals or people from different time zones.