I am a counsellor, psychotherapist and have been working with young people and adults for almost a decade. My psychotherapy training was integrative. This meant over four years I immersed myself in studying and researching humanism, person centred, gestalt, transactional analysis, psychotherapy. Most essentially I landed on the trauma informed approach to well-being - what has happened to you rather than what is wrong with you. Combining all these modalities (and more) helped to support people through hardship and feelings that are tricky to navigate alone.
Then I discovered Internal Family Systems (IFS) and this modality helps create the long lasting change I had been hoping to find.
Internal Family Systems Level 1 from the IFS Institute
Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy at The University of Leeds
My dissertation was a systematic review around the effectiveness of emotion focused support in treating unexplained medical illnesses such as chronic pain.
Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy The University of Leeds
Certificate in Counselling Skills
I commit to continuing professional development through attending regular workshops, training and self study. My interests are drawn to developing more awareness to how the nervous system impacts on how we relate to others and ourselves, how our bodies reflect our emotions, trauma informed practice and how trauma and shame impacts our minds and bodies.
I have three supervisors, and my own IFS therapy to maintain high ethical standards and build my practice around Internal Family Systems
Bessel Vander Kolk – 'The Body Keeps the Score' - bringing to light the anatomical responses that happen in our body when we experience trauma and thus any form of stress.
Carl Jung – what a legend.
Carolyn Spring
Dick Schwartz - How he did no re-invent the wheel with IFS, yet brought phenomenal curiosity to the human psyche with established therapeutic theory. He persisted in remaining open hearted rather than 'doing therapy right' and from that, discovered within us all is a component (Self) that can heal our inner wounds.
Francis Weller
Gabor Mate – 'The Myth of Normal' and 'Scattered Minds'
Jay Earley – 'Self-Therapy' is useful to familiarise with the IFS model and has plenty of journaling prompts
John Bradshaw – 'Home Coming'
Susan McConnel – Somatic IFS (and all the IFS community who consistently contribute to a Self lead way of living)
Paul Gilbert and Kristin Neff – How they continue to grow compassion as a root to healing.
Paulo Coelho - 'The Alchemist'
Matt Hague - 'The Midnight Library' I read this book at a significant crossroads in my life. Although it is non-fiction.
The Drop the Disorder community (A Disorder for Everyone) who gather trauma-informed practitioners from around the globe to champion anti-pathology. Its not about what's wrong with you, it's about what has happened to you.
All the tutors, therapists, colleagues and practitioners who have shared their journey with me. Those who have open-heartedly offered space and time to encourage me to connect with my parts and the little ones inside. Your connection has contributed beyond words I can say. The learning and self-development is not just for myself but the folk who embark on a journey of friendship or client with me.
I co-facilitate a community lead healing circle in Stroud with these lovely people (IFS practitioners, therapists and coaches). The circle began though Natasha Wilson - who grew it in to a beautiful community of folk wanting to gain more information and connection to themselves and others. Her vision and dream has created something truly special and I am glad to be a part of keeping this brave space flowing. The group is pay as you feel as it is not for profit. This is to open up spaces where people can access healing and connection without the price tag..
The circle is once a month on Wednesday mornings, contact me for more information.
Watch this space as more news coming here about further group openings in and around Gloucestershire.
Before I trained to be a therapist I studied a degree in philosophy and literature. Exploring the meaning of life and enjoyment of literature and media are huge parts of me. Before I trained to be a therapist, I wrote for a video game magazine. This was incredibly fun and although I loved writing, I knew I wanted to have more meaning in my life helping others. This is when I trained to be a therapist. I worked for a local charity called The Market Place in Leeds (Yorkshire) for nine years before its funding sadly ended. Now I have a private practice and work part time for a charity bringing IFS to young people in schools. Working in the community in really special to me as it gives me a real thrill and sense of purpose. I have a dream where therapeutic support is free to all and we live in a world where going to therapy is as normal as going to the doctors.
I come from a family where each one is neurodiverse who also have their own lived experience of intergenerational difficulties. I honour neurodiverse traits and parts within my own system too.
I have a cat called Delilah. She has supported me through some incredibly tough times and transitions. I am very grateful to her presence in my life (You might see her loafing in the background of sessions occasionally.)
Close to my heart I have fantasy-loving, video gaming and nature wilderness enthusiast parts. I marvel at IFS for it's fantastical meditative nature in slowing down time to meet the characters of our psyche and establish balance for the system through Self energy.
In 2023 I bought a van which I am challenging myself to convert into a camper van. It's a big project and a curious endeavour for my parts...
I attend a spiritual circle to develop my connection to the mysteries of life. I have been growing and developing a tarot practice for two years and have a huge curiosity to the messages the cards can bring.
If a tarot reading is something you'd be interested in, I warmly welcome it during sessions if this would be of interest to you. I combine therapeutic awareness, the shared insight we have together and what the cards are saying in relation to you and the mysteries from beyond the conscious mind.
Although we don't have to have these shared interests to connect with one another, I wanted you to know the Anna behind the therapist.
I have a hope for therapeutic support to become more accessible to all and I am enthusiastic to be a part of the change in narrative where we respect that our emotional well being is connected to our physical well being. I share a vision with many growing people out there who want to transform healthcare into about supporting ourselves as a system rather than an issue or ailment, where therapeutic insight is respected the same way as a medical professional and for those beliefs to work together rather than parallel or separate. I know that this dream keeps me striving for change in the charity sector and having my voice and influence within the community.
Although we don't have to have these shared interests to connect with one another, I wanted you to know the Anna behind the therapist.
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