InnerLight Counselling
Specialist Trauma Counselling and Therapy
InnerLight Counselling offers a range of therapeutic services to adults and young people who have experienced abuse (including sexual, emotional and physical), childhood trauma or who are experiencing current life or relationship difficulties. My holistic approach includes traditional Talk Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Life Coaching, providing you with the tools and support you need to recover from past trauma and achieve personal and Spiritual growth.
About InnerLight Counselling
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy
I believe that happiness is each person's birth right and that everybody can break free from their past, no matter how traumatic. I believe that you have everything within you to heal as each person has an innate intelligence designed to recover from trauma. I know how past experiences, especially throughout childhood, can shape the way w
I believe that happiness is each person's birth right and that everybody can break free from their past, no matter how traumatic. I believe that you have everything within you to heal as each person has an innate intelligence designed to recover from trauma. I know how past experiences, especially throughout childhood, can shape the way we view ourselves, other people and the world, creating huge limitations throughout life. Relationships in particular can feel triggering as they open up unresolved past wounds. Therapy through InnerLight Counselling focuses on healing the root cause of current difficulties to help you empower and reclaim yourSelf, so that you can create the life that you deserve.
Experience
Philosophy
Philosophy
With almost 30 years experience in supporting those in need, which began throughout Education, I have worked as a Counsellor and Therapist supporting survivors of abuse and neglect for almost 10 years. As a BACP Accredited Practitioner, I undertake regular Clinical Supervision and ongoing training which allows me to keep up-to-date with c
With almost 30 years experience in supporting those in need, which began throughout Education, I have worked as a Counsellor and Therapist supporting survivors of abuse and neglect for almost 10 years. As a BACP Accredited Practitioner, I undertake regular Clinical Supervision and ongoing training which allows me to keep up-to-date with changes in therapy and the helping professions. I am experienced in providing Pre-Trial Therapy (PTT) to clients throughout the criminal justice process. Experience includes changes to guidance in 2022. Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of supporting those presenting with varying clinical diagnoses and I am adept in providing a holistic therapeutic approach that caters to individual need.
Services
Philosophy
Services
I offer one-to-one Counselling, Life Coaching and EMDR sessions to adults and young people. Areas of expertise include healing from childhood trauma such as historic Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA), emotional and physical neglect, early attachment wounds, physical violence and more recent Sexual Abuse (SA), assault, rape, domestic violence (
I offer one-to-one Counselling, Life Coaching and EMDR sessions to adults and young people. Areas of expertise include healing from childhood trauma such as historic Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA), emotional and physical neglect, early attachment wounds, physical violence and more recent Sexual Abuse (SA), assault, rape, domestic violence (DV) experienced as an adult. Within this, I also specialise in relationship issues such as co-dependency and/or narcissism. Contact me today to learn more about my services.
How past Trauma can present now
Symptoms
Relationships
Relationships
Traumatic memories present as symptoms which may include; Dissociation and Disconnection, Physical Pain, People Pleasing, Mistrust, Aggression, Anxiety, Flashbacks, Nightmares, Depression, Sleep Issues, Guilt, Shame, Worthlessness, Substance Abuse, Self-Destructive or Risk Taking Behaviours, Identity Problems, Little or No memories, Lack of Motivation and many more.
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
The way we relate to others can be hugely affected by our past experiences, especially within intimate relationships. The challenge involved in learning to trust ourself or others can create a push and pull dynamic that interferes with our ability to see things as they really are. The dilemma is that, although we may have a deep desire to connect, we may also experience an intense fear of doing so. This can create a void inside that can lead to self-isolation or unhealthy and even abusive attachments.
Parenting
Relationships
Emotional Regulation
The way we think and feel directly impacts our behaviours. Past Trauma can make parenting especially demanding as we may not have learned the necessary skills to manage our own emotions. Aspects of our child's normal behaviour can trigger uncomfortable and even shameful thoughts and feelings. We can also feel unable to emotionally connect, intensifying the level of shame and sense of emptiness.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional Regulation
Emotional Regulation
Emotions can be hugely overwhelming. Seemingly small things can trigger big reactions that we and those around us may find difficult to understand. At times, we may feel like a child in an adult body. Life, other people and aspects of ourselves can feel confusing and disorientating. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we keep repeating the same behaviours that cause the same emotions feeling like we're stuck on a loop.
Friendships
Emotional Regulation
Friendships
Building meaningful relationship with others demands a careful balance between giving and receiving. However, developing trust and having open and honest communication can leave us feeling exposed and vulnerable. Trauma can distort our perceptions and we can often see people and situations through the lens of our past. The desire to compare ourself to others driven by the sense of not feeling good enough can make us feel as though a life without friendships is our only option.
Boundaries
Emotional Regulation
Friendships
Boundaries are a way of noticing where we end and another person begins. They create an invisible shield that protects us from potential harm. Healthy boundaries mean that we are aware of when another person or situation steps over our line and we can respond appropriately. Trauma can blur that line which can lead to unhealthy relationships, overwhelm and exhaustion.
Trauma Informed Counselling
What is Trauma Informed Counselling
Trauma Informed Counselling is a form of Talk Therapy that aims to understand and then resolve the impact of past trauma. This Therapeutic approach takes into account the pervasive nature and legacy of trauma. It emphasises building psychological, physical and emotional safety before exploring and then integrating traumatic memories.
How does it help
Rather than simply talking about current difficulties or past traumatic events, which can be extremely retraumatising, Trauma Informed Counselling is a collaborative approach that aims to create a solid foundation for therapeutic exploration. Using a Three Phased Model, personalised strategies and techniques are carefully combined with psychoeducational resources to promote self-soothing and emotional regulation whilst learning to manage triggers and reactions. Understanding through self awareness is the gateway to being able to identify choice and promote conscious decision making. Trauma Informed Counselling builds on individual understanding of the way past experiences have shaped the way a person views themselves, other people and the world. Through the counselling process a person can learn to Recognise, take Responsibility in the here and now and Regain a positive sense of Self based on who they choose to be free from perceived past limitations.
EMDR
What is EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s. It is a hopeful approach to therapy that recognises the fact that we are all genetically encoded to recover from traumatic experiences.
How does it help
Distressing past events can become locked in the nervous system as the brain may be unable to process the information like a normal memory. Unresolved trauma leads to the memory being neurologically frozen in time and continues to replay throughout everyday situations as if stuck on a loop. When a person recalls the distressing memory, the person can re-experience what they saw, heard, smelt, tasted, thought or felt, which can be quite intense and overwhelming. This reliving can feel so distressing that avoiding anything that may trigger the memory can feel like the only option to ease suffering.
The alternating left-right stimulation of the brain with eye movements, sounds or taps during EMDR, seem to stimulate the frozen or blocked information processing system. The effect is believed to be similar to that which occurs naturally during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) when your eyes rapidly move from side to side. Throughout processing, the memories seem to lose their intensity, and allow the brain to file away events like ordinary memories meaning that they are no longer triggered.
Life Coaching
What is Life Coaching
Life Coaching in its present format emerged from the USA over the last 20 – 25 years. More recently it has gained public recognition in Britain where it is enjoying phenomenal growth as more and more people discover the benefits. Life Coaching is a form of therapy that focuses on identifying future goals and aims to promote decisive action that is right for you. Self empowerment is at the heart of this approach as the primary aim is to build on skills you need to thrive.
How does it help
Life Coaching provides guidance, counsel, encouragement, focus and structure in a person's personal and professional/school life.* It tends to look at two areas of a person's life: identifying and pursuing their (life) purpose and refocusing their life now for greater happiness, energy, fulfilment and productivity. People are frequently unsure of what they want out of life in the short and long term and coaching can help to identify and then put in place the steps needed to realise their dreams. This can be a highly exhilarating experience as obstacles disappear and goals are achieved. To promote maximum benefit, the facilitation of self-knowing and self-understanding enables the person to be fully responsible for the reality that they are creating without self criticism or judgement.
*Please note, as with other therapeutic approaches, adaptations are always made for Young People.
Prices
Adult Services
For those age 18 and above. Concessions available for those in financial need. Please message me directly for further information.
Trauma Informed Counselling
£35
For each 60 minute session
Life Coaching
£35
For each 60 minute session
EMDR
£35
For each 60 minute session
Services for Young People
For individuals age 13+ up to their 18th birthday. Concessions available for those in financial need. Please message me directly for further information.
Trauma Informed Counselling
£25
For each 50 minute session
Life Coaching
£25
For each 50 minute session
EMDR
£25
For each 50 minute session
Price and session times vary for Adults and Young People. All session times can be tailored to individual need.
