What do you do?

I use a combination of somatic and arts therapy processes to:

* help my 1:1 clients move through their specific challenges by guiding them to feel safe within themselves through the medium of their body (somatic therapy) and their ability to create (arts therapy). This sense of safety (nervous system regulation) is used as the foundation to work through their challenges and release the associated emotions… so they are able to find joy in life again.

* coach small groups of women to break free of the good girl syndrome so they can live happier, more authentic lives.

  • The type of somatic therapy I am trained in is called 'embodied processing'. In this the focus is on learning to feel into the sensations within the body ('felt sense'). Initially we work to find and expand those sensations that bring a feeling of safety or support within us AND then once this is established - and ONLY when this is established - we move to feel into the sensations in the body that arise when a challenge, trigger and/or emotion is invited in. These latter sensations are explored and processed so that the related suppressed emotions can be worked through and the part of us that is expressing this sensation can be integrated back into us. This latter work is done slowly with regular pendulation back to the established feeling of safety or support in the body, along with using other techniques of nervous system regulation.

  • In arts therapy the focus is on making or creating and then gaining insight from it. Creations are usually simple and may be visual based art such as collage or basic drawing, sculpture, writing, simple poetry, movement or sound, often with two or more modalities used altogether. Everything is via invitation and dependent on the situation.

  • I mostly use arts therapy within the framework of somatic therapy to deeply explore and integrate the felt sense in both the initial phase of creating or finding safety and in the processing of triggers/emotions etc. This is proving to be particularly helpful when a client finds getting out of their head and into their body challenging! 

  • Not at all... NO arts-based skills are needed.

How does it work?

There are currently three different options depending on your circumstances.

If you are an adult woman and feel that you might be caught in the pattern known as ‘the good girl syndrome’ you may wish to read my blog and sign up for my one hour ‘Unmasking the Good Girl’ Workshop. You can then decide whether my group programme (‘Free to Be Me’) is right for you and either join that (if available) or join the priority list for the next run of the programme.

If you don’t fit the above or would just prefer a more personalised approach then 1:1 therapy may be your best option. Read more about how that works on the services page and book yourself a half hour introductory consultation with me by going here. Note that spaces are very limited for 1:1 and you may be put on a waitlist.

  • As sessions are online (via Zoom) you will need a...

    • computer or a tablet with a mouse or pen. It is possible to use a smart phone but this will restrict our ability to incorporate arts therapy into your sessions.

    • camera and microphone on your technology

    • good internet connection

    • safe and private space, free from interruptions

    • pen/paper and your choice of coloured drawing materials (felts, coloured pencils, crayons etc), plus bits and pieces you might have or easily be able to find eg old magazines, 'junk' and natural materials/objects (you will be guided on all this before sessions/course start).

  • Unsure about working online compared to working in person? I was initially too. I have however, been pleasantly surprised. As I explain in this video, aside from savings in time and fuel, not having to be concerned about anyone else knowing you are having therapy and not feeling uncomfortable about the potential for bumping into me in the street (unless you live in Golden Bay, NZ)... working online has an additional major benefit of you being able to be in a place where you feel safe and comfortable. This is incredibly important to developing resources within yourself during therapy so that we can then work at a deep and impactful level. This last factor, I believe outweighs working in person (provided you feel comfortable in your own home of course :-).

  • Everyone and every situation is different so the number of sessions needed varies. Eight is a good starting point if you are ready and able to commit to this. Further packages can then be discussed and added on as needed with the option to push the same packages out to fortnightly and even monthly intervals. A single session is still worth investing in if you are not wanting (or in a position) to commit to a longer package, but it will likely be more of a taster of what is possible (note: these sessions are not always available and may require a longer wait time).

  • Yes… provided there is space available. Options: either 60 minutes for $140 or if you'd like a longer session: $180 for 90 minutes.

  • No although instead of a 1:1 package you can pay $140/session week by week if that works for you.