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Image by Paul Blenkhorn

A bit more about me...

My psychotherapy journey began when I was just 10 years old, witnessing my mother study for a psychology exam as part of her clinical psychology doctorate. I remember thinking how fascinating the brain sounded and dreamed of becoming a psychologist myself. A decade later and 2,000 miles from where I was born, I embarked on my own studies.

I finally completed my Psychology degree at the University of Leeds in 2004, followed by a Master's in Psychological Approaches to Health. I then moved to London to enlist on a postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College. In my subsequent roles at the NHS, I worked as a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, clinical supervisor, service manager, and Clinical Service Lead in two large psychology services. I had the privilege of working alongside and being supervised by world-renowned psychologists at the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT). During this time, I worked with many different client populations and became skilled at assessing, formulating and delivering evidence-based psychological treatments. I also contributed to the professional development of other therapists by teaching and providing clinical supervision, conducting research, and participating in numerous service development projects. Although I was passionate about my work at the NHS, I was increasingly aware of how much the various promotions were pulling me away from my true calling: clinical work.

 

Thus, in 2015, I decided to step away from the NHS and focus solely on private practice. Here I finally had the time to begin expanding my knowledge base into what is now known as the third wave CBT, including Compassion Focused therapy (CFT); Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. ACT, in particular, sparked my curiosity in the somatic aspects of our nervous system and inspired me to explore new developments in neuroscience, particularly those related to impact of trauma and dissociation.  From here I went on to study and eventually became accredited in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). I also attended numerous workshops in Somatic Psychology and Somatic Experiencing. These experiences equipped me with a comprehensive set of tools to address both cognitive and somatic aspects of being human. However, training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy was a complete game changer as it offered a deeply satisfying, embodied, and potentially spiritual approach to therapy. I was also very excited about how much the principles of IFS connected to what the neuroscience was already telling us about the brain.

 

My journey continued in 2022 when I discovered Brainspotting—a therapy that immediately felt intuitive and deeply aligned with the human experience. It didn’t feel like just another technique, but rather the uncovering of a natural, powerful healing process already present within us—one that had long been overlooked in traditional psychotherapy.

Inspired by Brainspotting’s depth and potential, I took another step in 2024 and began formal training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. This approach brought a new level of depth to the way I support clients—and to my own personal healing. It seamlessly wove into my existing practice, enhancing the way I work with the body and nervous system to support lasting, transformative change.

Every time I trained in a new modality, I made sure that I experienced each therapy on my own 'system' so that I could feel it from inside out. I found this to be as helpful as any formal training I completed.  It was through my own personal healing and growth that I truly learnt to be non-judgmental, attuned and able to listen, without feeling the need to impose my own agenda on my clients. 

At this point in my career, I am truly grateful to offer my clients a holistic therapeutic experience, meeting them wherever they are in their journey and offering a variety of interventions. Most importantly, I am fortunate to find immense joy in my work and in being able to accompany others on their paths to self-discovery, healing, and growth.

BRAINSPOTTING & IFS UK and Europe ON-LINE

In my private time I am a mum to an energetic 6 year old. When I get time for myself, I enjoy writing, hiking the British national parks and swimming in the sea.  I also practice what I teach to my clients, by regularly engaging in meditation and personal development, as well as living in accordance to my own core values. 

PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY
Ania Halls

 

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