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.

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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 didn't end here, as in 2022 I came across a therapy called Brainspotting. Brainspotting seemed very intuitive and in tune with the human experience. It seemed that Brainspotting was not just another ‘technique’ created by psychologists but rather a chance discovery of a powerful internal healing mechanism that was inherent to all human being, yet so far unexplored in the world of psychotherapy. 

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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. 

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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.