How I Work
I primarily use Schema Therapy, an integrative model that combines cognitive, emotional, somatic (body), and experiential techniques. Depending on what feels most helpful, we might use:
Imagery Re-scripting to revisit painful memories and meet unmet needs
Chair Work to explore inner parts like the critic, over-helper, or protector
Somatic Awareness to support nervous system safety and regulation
Cognitive Reflection to gently shift long-standing beliefs or thought patterns
This isn’t just talking — it’s relational and experiential work that can bring about real, felt change over time.
Other Approaches I Draw From
In addition to Schema Therapy, I’m also trained in other evidence-based approaches, including:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), particularly around emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness
My work is also nervous-system informed. I pay close attention to how the body holds patterns of stress, shutdown, or overwhelm, and I use somatic and grounding strategies to support a felt sense of safety, not just insight.
Who I Work With
I work with adults who feel stuck in emotional or relational patterns that keep repeating, even after trying things like counselling, coaching, or self-help.
Most of my clients are thoughtful, capable people who carry a lot — in caregiving, leadership, family life, or work. They often look like they’re holding things together on the outside, but feel exhausted, disconnected, or anxious inside.
Some of the common themes that show up in our work include:
• Over-functioning and difficulty resting
• Perfectionism, people-pleasing, or emotional shutdown
• Burnout or cycles of “not enough”
• Shame, inner criticism, or old relational wounds
• Neurodivergence (including ADHD-type rhythms)
• A desire for deep change, not just insight, but transformation
Therapy offers a space to pause, reflect, and begin changing the patterns that no longer serve you — at a pace that honours both your story and your nervous system.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and explore what’s bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask some questions about your history, current struggles, and goals, and there’s space for you to ask questions too.
It’s important that you feel safe and comfortable, you’re under no pressure to share everything at once. This session helps us both decide if working together feels like a good fit.
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Yes, both.
I offer online therapy sessions via secure video platforms, and in-person sessions in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Some clients prefer the flexibility of online sessions, while others appreciate the space and presence of face-to-face work. You're welcome to choose what suits you best, or we can explore it together.
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Schema Therapy is an integrative approach that helps people understand and change deep-rooted emotional patterns, especially those that developed early in life and keep repeating, even when we know they’re not helpful. It combines cognitive (thinking), emotional, somatic (body), and experiential techniques. You might explore things like inner critical voices, emotional triggers, or childhood experiences, using tools like imagery, chair work, and grounding practices. It’s not just about insight, it’s about felt change.
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I work with adults who feel stuck in emotional or relational patterns that are hard to shift, even after exploring things like counselling, coaching, or self-help.
Many are thoughtful, capable people who carry a lot, in family life, professional roles, caregiving, or church leadership.
They often appear to be coping well on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or exhausted inside. Some are navigating anxiety, burnout, neurodivergence (including ADHD-type rhythms), or long-standing patterns like people-pleasing, shutdown, or perfectionism.
What they share is a desire for something deeper, therapy that honours both their story and their nervous system. -
I hold a small number of concession spaces for clients in helping roles, those on low income, or people in temporary financial difficulty.
Please feel free to ask about availability, I’ll always do my best to be transparent and honour your circumstances where possible.
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That depends on what you're looking for.
Therapy is one-to-one, personalised, and typically longer-term, suited for deeper work around trauma, mental health, or relational struggles.
Courses (like Untangling the Struggle) are group-based, faith-informed learning spaces designed to help you understand common emotional patterns, such as perfectionism, burnout, ADHD-type rhythms, and build healthier ways of responding.
They’re not therapy, but they can be powerful for growth and reflection.
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Yes, absolutely. While therapy isn’t “faith-based” in the formal sense, I’m a Christian and many of my clients are people of faith. Some find it helpful to explore how their spiritual beliefs, practices, or experiences relate to the emotional work we’re doing.
That said, faith doesn't need to be a focus unless it’s important to you. I work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, and all parts of your story are welcome here, including your doubts or questions.