The type of psychotherapy I offer falls under the UKCP umbrella of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (HIPC). This means I place you, your unique qualities, and your individual needs at the centre of the work. Working in an integrative way makes this possible, as I continuously cultivate a range of skills from various approaches (see the About Me section of this website).
I work with a transpersonal leaning. The word transpersonal means beyond the individual and recognises the interconnectedness of all things. In more common language, this could be described as being interested in spiritual concepts. Among other things, working this way means we try to understand the lessons and meaning behind difficult experiences – understanding pain and crisis can direct us towards living in alignment with our authentic selves.
The unconscious is an excellent guide to getting to know your authentic self and fulfilling your potential. To tap into this wisdom, we may explore dreams, use visualisation, and engage in creative practices such as drawing.
My approach integrates learning and skills from my combined 15 years of experience working in the world of well-being. I consider it important to address your experience from different angles.
I have recently completed a Research Masters in Psychotherapy titled ‘Dyslexic or a Human Being? A Transpersonal Perspective on Labelling’. Specifically, my research explored my own experience as a person with a dyslexia diagnosis (given age eight) and how the ablest systems that we are measured against can cause feelings of shame, inadequacy and lack of confidence. I also explore how a dysregulated nervous system can make it much harder to carry out challenging tasks such as reading and writing and how, with the help of a ‘regulated other’ in psychotherapy, we can learn to self-regulate. Tools that aid this are self-compassion practices, breathing practices and somatic practices, to name a few. When we are able to self-regulate, it is easier to achieve difficult goals and be in challenging situations.
I consider you as an integrated whole made up of body, mind and spirit as well as being in constant relationship with your surroundings. It is important to be able to hold all of these aspects of experience at once and with equal importance. My hope is that we can work together to facilitate your process and evolution toward integrating mind, body, and spirit.
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Psychotherapy can be helpful for a range of issues. Here is a brief list of things that you might be seeking help for:
Anxiety
Learning Difficulties
Bereavement and Loss
‘Breakdown’
Depression
Loss of meaning
Panic attacks
Questions about your faith and spirituality
Relationship issues
Self Esteem
Stress
Trauma*
*If you are suffering from trauma due to child or adult sexual abuse, please get in touch, and I will do my best to direct you to a specialist in this field.
What Next?
Please get in touch by emial if you feel you would like to explore therapy with me. We will have a preliminary phone call to see if our timings work and to check that what I offer meets your needs (it may be that I will refer you to another therapist who more accurately meets your needs).
Once we have covered the above we will arrange an assessment which lasts up to one and a half hours. The assessment process is as much for you to see if you would like to work with me as it is for me to get a sense of your needs.
Once we decide to work together, we will agree on a day and time when we will meet weekly. How long the therapy lasts depends on what we decide in the assessment.
I ask that you commit to this arrangement for you to get the most out of the therapy.
I look forward to meeting you,
Claudia Smith