Psychological Therapies

Life is rather like the Lake District scene above, don’t you think? The terrain is tough and varied, the weather ever changing, and the ups and downs are certainly evident. At the same time, the sun will shine and there are rivers and paths that traverse the landscape, just as we can traverse the terrain of our own lives.

I’m Caroline and I’m a psychological therapist and through working with many individuals, I have discovered that how we navigate our path is unique, and there are indeed different routes to mental wellness and growth for each of us. Drawing on a variety of therapeutic approaches I will support you on the path that feels right for you.

With over 16 years working in mental health settings, my experience spans the NHS, the education sector, private practice, and business consulting centred around employee mental health and wellbeing.

I have always been fascinated by the human mind and what makes us think, feel, and act in the ways that we do. This initially led me into a psychology degree so that I could help others, but fundamentally, it was my own experiences of loss and life-change that led me into a career working as a therapist. As my life journey continues to unfold in unexpected ways, more recently with half a paralysed face, I continue to work on in this space helping humans understand and heal themselves, to find more calm and more confidence within, and more feelings of life satisfaction overall.

How I work

I am what’s known as an ‘integrative therapist’, which basically means that I am able to combine different types of therapy, tailoring an approach for you. Putting you and your personal humanity at the centre of our work, empathy and an unconditional positive regard is a crucial foundation. Acknowledging your life story thus far, I am also curious about the impact of your life’s experiences on you. Alongside these, I use the more active, present-focused therapies of: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, Solution Focused Therapy, and ACT (a development of CBT).

Influenced by neuroscience, I also utilise theory and practice from Interpersonal Neurobiology and Compassion Focused Therapy, that are both informed by the science of brain, mind and body.

I offer a compassionate ear and a safe place to express yourself, to help you find insight and build awareness, and to be able to utilise any coping skills and tools that you may find useful in life.

My Practice

Therapy is a process of discovery that you enter into, with a qualified professional, for the benefit of your own psyche. Building self-awareness, insight and understanding through exploring your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, so that you can live your best life. There are times in all our lives when we feel challenged beyond our capacities, when we need to pause and find a way to adjust and cope, to see what’s going on beneath the surface of our lives and our minds; and sometimes we need the help of another who is separate and independent from your own life to reflect and find different ways of doing this.

I believe that we are all unique and one size therapy does not fit all, so it is important to me to work in a way that suits you. For you to feel safe and supported, working at whatever pace is comfortable for you, is at the heart of my practice.

Who and What I work with

I work with adults across the lifespan from 16 years old through to older age. Clients come to me with a range of issues, but I specialise in working with those who are facially different. The psychological and emotional factors that can be associated with having a different facial appearance are:

Anxiety , Panic Attacks, OCD, Stress, Depression and Low Mood, Trauma, Low Self-esteem, Bereavement, Grief and Loss, Cancer.

This is not an exhaustive list and there are many other issues that may arise. Please reach out if you would like to know if I can help you.