Here are some of the most common reasons people come to see me:
Anxiety
Intrusive worries, constantly busy brain, physical symptoms and panic attacks.
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Health-related challenges
Adjusting to new diagnosis, challenges managing ongoing symptoms, chronic pain, worries of the future, death and dying, living with an 'invisible' condition
Stress and burnout
Feeling overwhelmed, finding it hard to engage with your life and responsibilities, constantly on guard and unable to relax
Feeling lost & transitions
Feelings of losing control in face of major life changes, lack of joy and meaning, loss and bereavement​​
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Trauma and PTSD
Emotional regulation, intrusive memories, struggles with relationships and responsibilities, repeated unhelpful patterns
Nervous system dysregulation
Feeling stuck in survival mode, on a train you can't get off, physical symptoms that your Doctors can't fully explain
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I have specialist experience and a particular interest for working with these areas:
Living with a health condition and pain
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You might be living with a chronic illness, a recent diagnosis or have ongoing health-related challenges that impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. You might feel frustrated, exhausted or disconnected from the life you want to live. Living with a health condition can be deeply isolating, and for many it can bring up past experiences of loss, vulnerability and trauma. You might feel: > Out of control of your life and body > Misunderstood and let down by healthcare professionals and people around you > It's hard to cope with the emotional toll of managing a long-term condition > It's hard to manage every day responsibilities with symptoms such as pain and fatigue > Anxious and worried that your condition will worsen > Frightened about upcoming medical appointments > Traumatised by past experiences The healthcare system, interactions with those around you, and ongoing symptoms, can have significant impact on your emotional wellbeing. Our work together can explore practical ways of coping, as well as help you process the emotional impact of these experiences.
​​Navigating life as an East Asian individual
Many people come to me carrying the weight of cultural expectations, family pressures and identity struggles. Growing up as a Chinese young person in the UK, I can deeply connect with some of these challenges, and can bring a curious and inclusive perspective. Have you ever felt: > Difficulty understanding, recognising and expressing your emotions and needs? > Difficulty communicating with those who should be closest to you? > It's easier to withdraw from conflict even when it's regarding something very important to you? > Guilt or obligation with family? > Inner conflict between who you are and who you were meant to be? > Feeling 'different' or unseen in Western spaces, personally or professionally? > Traditional Western therapy ideas and suggestions don't always accommodate cultural nuances? Many of these experiences can be rooted in cultural differences, and in intergenerational trauma - the patterns, beliefs, and coping mechanisms passed down through families and cultures. You might have learnt that safety comes from pleasing others, staying small, or pushing through. Therapy can help you unwind from these patterns and build a life that is authentic to you in a way that respects personal identity and cultural background.
Financial stress & your emotional wellbeing
Money can be deeply emotional, and financial stress can impact your mental health more than people realise. You may feel: > Overwhelmed by financial anxiety even when you are financially stable > Guilt or shame about spending habits or financial decisions > Stuck in scarcity thinking due to early experiences with money For many, our relationship with money is shaped by past experiences, early environments and trauma. For example, if you grew up in a household where money was unpredictable, or linked to stress, your nervous system may still respond to financial scenarios as if they are threatening. Therapy can help you shift from survival-based financial stress to a more secure, empowered mindset.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
EMDR is a powerful therapy that helps you heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. It can help you reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories so they no longer feel overwhelming.
ACT helps you build a different relationship with your thoughts and emotions so they no longer control your life. Incorporates mindfulness skills and values exploration to help you take meaningful action.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
If you struggle with self-criticism, guilt or shame, CFT can help you to develop self-compassion and inner kindness. Helping you to feel safer, more supported.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Systemic Considerations
Nervous system regulation
CBT helps you identify and alter unhelpful thought patterns that keep you stuck in anxiety, low mood or self-doubt. You can find more helpful way of thinking and coping in response to life's challenges.
Our experiences don't happen in isolation. They are shaped by our families, culture and the world around us. We'll look at how your relationships, social expectations and environment influence your wellbeing.
If you feel stuck in stress, overwhelm or feel frozen, your nervous system might be stuck in survival mode. Therapy can help you to tune into your body, soothe your nervous system, and stay grounded.