Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy has creativity at its core and involves a combination of awareness, experimentation and dialogue in relationship. We see change as more likely to occur when we increase our awareness of present experience, which may often include unfinished business from the past. Sometimes we develop patterns of beliefs and behaviours due to our early experiences, which were helpful then but have now outgrown their usefulness.
I believe that there is no objective 'reality' or 'truth' which exists 'out there', which makes you the 'expert' of your own experience. This means that as a therapist, I aim to be present in the moment in a collaborative relationship with you. I offer my observations, curiosity thoughts and ideas for you to accept, modify or reject as feels right to you at the time.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a form of therapy which uses bilateral eye-movements, taps or sounds, aimed to stimulate both sides of the brain. It can be used both to strengthen and build resources and to process difficult experiences. It is not clear exactly how it works, but may be akin to the REM movements during sleep. Together, we can assess whether or not this could be an appropriate approach for you.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
This body orientated talk approach extends Gestalts' mindful focus on body sensations, perceptions and movements, without requiring physical contact between therapist and client. It incorporates the advances in neuroscientific understanding of how the brain, mind and body respond to traumatic experiences and holds that it is more important to address the effects of a traumatic past than the actual events themselves.
Creative Arts
Sometimes, creative activities like painting or sculpting can take us beyond our familiar 'left brain' stories and help to provide new insights and perspectives. I particularly like using the sand tray for those of us in the 'I can't draw' brigade.
