Questions people often bring.

Body Psychotherapy is a tradition of psychotherapy based on the understanding that body and psyche are aspects of one whole person. Some patterns are learned through experience rather than conscious thought.

Through embodied experience, we can access these patterns more directly and give the nervous system an opportunity to experience something different. Co-regulation and the experience of safety within the therapeutic relationship can also be an important part of this process.

It is the tradition in which I trained, and Core Energetics is one of its approaches.

Core Energetics is a body psychotherapy approach developed by physician and psychiatrist John Pierrakos. It understands that our experiences can shape protective patterns around our wounds, while recognising that these patterns are never the whole of who we are.

Beneath them remains an innate capacity for healing, creativity, connection and aliveness. The work is not simply about removing what is difficult, but creating more freedom for what is possible.

No. Somatic Experiencing is a specific therapeutic modality developed by Peter Levine, with its own methods and theoretical framework. My training is in Body Psychotherapy and Core Energetics, which have their own philosophy and way of working.

There is some overlap around nervous system regulation and developing greater capacity for experience, and I draw on some of Peter Levine's work, particularly around expanding the range of experience that the nervous system can tolerate.

Our brains and nervous systems learn from repeated experiences, particularly during childhood. This learning can influence automatic processes such as breathing, muscle tension, posture, arousal and stress responses.

These patterns are not memories literally stored in the muscles. They are ways the brain and nervous system have learned to respond, often outside conscious awareness, which over time can affect our physiology. This is one reason we can understand something intellectually and still find ourselves responding in familiar ways.

It can. Chronic pain is complex and has many possible causes, but the nervous system plays an important role in how pain is experienced and maintained.

This work can gently explore the relationship between pain, nervous system activation, emotional patterns and safety. Sometimes the body is communicating something that has not yet been fully recognised, and as protective patterns soften, the experience of pain can change.

There is no fixed formula. We begin with what is present for you, whether that means talking, being heard, making sense of something, exploring a pattern or working toward a goal.

When appropriate, we may also work with breath, movement, grounding, stillness, emotional expression or neurogenic tremors. We follow what is relevant to you, rather than a predetermined programme.

Sometimes. This may include movement, breath, grounding, stillness, touch, emotional expression or neurogenic tremors, depending on what feels appropriate.

You never have to move or do anything you don't want to. Sometimes talking is most helpful; sometimes stillness or physical experience offers another way into the work. Any use of touch is always discussed beforehand and requires your explicit agreement.

Absolutely. Talking, reflection and making sense of your experience are central to psychotherapy and to my work.

Sometimes we understand something intellectually but still respond differently in the moment. At other times, a physical or emotional experience can bring something into awareness that was previously outside conscious understanding. The aim is to bring understanding and experience together.

Yes. I offer psychotherapy both in person and online via Zoom. The therapeutic work remains the same, and embodied approaches can also be incorporated online when appropriate.

If you're unsure which format would suit you, we can talk about it during your free introductory consultation.

Nothing special. For in-person sessions, I recommend coming fed and wearing comfortable, loose clothing that allows you to move freely and doesn't restrict your breathing.

You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. We can begin wherever you are.

There isn't one fixed answer. Frequency depends on what you're working with, what feels supportive, your schedule and what is financially realistic for you.

We can discuss what makes sense for you during your first session and adjust the rhythm as needed.