Hello, I’m Angie. I’m a UKCP Senior Trainee Therapist, currently in the accreditation process, and have a Diploma in Mindfulness-based Core Process Psychotherapy (MBCPP) from the Karuna Institute in Bristol.
I have worked as a placement therapist on the low cost counselling scheme at the Spiral holistic therapy centre in Islington, North London for the past three years and have also been a volunteer call handler for Mindline.
My background in drama teaching and life coaching laid the foundation for wanting to work with people at a deeper psychotherapeutic level as well as my own personal experience of therapy.
Through working with a mindfulness-based core process psychotherapist I came to feel embodied and in touch with my feelings after a lifetime of feeling disconnected from my body and ruled by my head. This awareness was transformational and gave me the courage to bring about some profound changes in my life.
Approach
I have a gentle and down-to-earth approach to therapy and bring empathy, intuition and curiosity into the relationship as well as a bit of humour from time to time.
As a core process therapist my work is underpinned by Buddhist principles of mindfulness, compassion and unconditional acceptance. I believe we are all inherently healthy, whole and wise but it is easy to lose sight of this as we are overcome by life events. Therapy helps us get back in touch with our core self or true nature by becoming aware of our early life conditioning and letting go of unhelpful habits and patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to our suffering.
My approach is trauma-informed and creative – I enjoy working with the imaginal, whether that is images, dreams or role play. Whatever feels right in the moment for you. I pay attention to the body-mind relationship and often focus on awareness of the body in the present moment – this could be through the felt sense, breathing or even a bit of movement – as a way to get in touch with memories of life experiences that have been stored in our bodies long after our minds have forgotten them and begin the process of letting go.
Experience
You may be struggling with a particular issue or just have a general sense that your past is holding you back and something needs to change in your life. Therapy can provide much needed space for gentle enquiry and reflection.
I have experience of working with people who bring a range of life issues including:
- anxiety and depression
- relationship difficulties and breakdown
- moving beyond childhood trauma
- growing up with an alcoholic parent
- recovery from emotionally abusive relationships
- managing a life transition
- anger and rage
- living with chronic illness
- feeling disconnected from oneself & others
- sexuality & sexual identity
- grief and loss
- lack of purpose and meaning in life.
Background and interests
Originally from South Africa, I have a heightened awareness of the impact of oppression on people of a different race, culture, sexual identity or religion as well as the immigrant experience. As such, I am interested in questions around sexuality and sexual identity, difference and belonging. I welcome people from the LGBTQ+ community as well as people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
My work is underpinned by a deep love of and spiritual connection with nature, a belief in the inherent wisdom of the body and an embodied understanding of difference and the strengths and challenges held therein. I have an ongoing conscious movement and mindfulness practice and love long countryside walks.
Working with me
I offer both short term (between 6 weeks and one year) and open-ended therapy. Please note that I can only offer therapy to adults aged 18+.
At present I am able to offer online therapy only but I will have some in-person spaces opening up in London in the new year so please either check back here or fill in the Contact Form to let me know you’re interested and I will put you on my waiting list.
If you’d like to find out more about working with me or have any questions, please contact me to arrange a brief phone chat followed by a free initial meeting. Here we can talk about what’s happening in your life, you can ask any questions you may have, get a sense of whether therapy is right for you and if we would like to work together.
Session duration and cost
Sessions are for one hour on a weekly basis at the same time and day of the week. My fee is £65 per hour.
Insurance and ethics
I am fully insured and abide by the code of ethics of the Karuna Institute and the UKCP. All my work is supported through regular supervision with an accredited and experienced supervisor and further learning through professional development courses.