I am an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, which means that I draw on variety of approaches in my model of practice, depending on the issues presented, clients' personality and their specific needs. The core of my model of practice is humanistic but I do draw on psychodynamic approach as well to better understand you in the context of your and your family's history. I aim to offer therapy which is inclusive , culturally attuned and anti-oppressive.
I am also an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Practitioner and I hold an EMDR Europe accreditation. EMDR is a very effective and dynamic approach used to process trauma, both simple and complex. The type of trauma which is often overlooked in traditional psychotherapy is socially inflicted trauma, e.g. by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and other systemic oppressions. I use EMDR to help clients heal from the destructive impact of this type of trauma, among others, which include single incident trauma and complex childhood trauma.
However, the most important aspect of my work is creating a safe and supportive relationship with you, the client, where you can feel heard, respected and understood. Whatever feelings, problems or issues you decide to bring into therapy with me they will be looked at with attention and consideration. Every feeling is valid and I will help you to experience it fully and express it, for this is the way to connect with your true self.
I have a particular interest in how trauma impacts people's ability to have harmonious relationships with themselves and others. Trauma might have happened as a single event, a series of events or there might have been a prolonged continual exposure to it, sometimes spanning over many generations within the family. Acknowledging it and processing emotional blocks it created opens the door to regaining balance and sense of wellbeing in a traumatised person's life. As a person of multiple heritage, who has lived in different countries and cultures throughout my whole life, I am interested in exploring cultural and identity issues and how difference and displacement impacts on people in their lives. I received counselling qualification from Centre for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) which is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited training. I am an accredited member of the BACP and therefore abide by its professional standards and code of ethics. For information on BACP and its Ethical Framework please click here. I received EMDR qualification from EMDR Works, which is an EMDR Europe accredited training.
My experience varies from primary care (Connaught Surgery), addiction field (Crime Reduction Initiatives), Mind: a mental health organisation, to working with young people at Haringey Sixth Form Centre.
My primary education is in visual arts and I see therapy itself as a creative process. It involves two (or more) people in the act of co-creation of what is a better life for a client. This may mean deeper awareness of their inner and outer world and improved ability to live a more fulfilled life.
I work in two languages: English and Polish.
I am registered with a few insurance companies (AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA).
