A very warm welcome if you have arrived here because you are looking for healing from life’s stressors; physical and psychological symptoms of trauma and PTSD; overwhelming emotions; or difficulties in relationships. I offer relational, attachment focused therapy and use a variety of approaches to help you heal from the past and develop more satisfying responses to life's challenges. These include Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Polyvagal Theory (PVT) and EMDR. We will work together collaboratively to create a healing and transformative environment. You will be supported to develop awareness and trust in your own ‘system’; honouring all your experiences and strengths that you will bring to our therapeutic relationship. You may be interested in a specific type of therapy, and want purely Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, IFS, SSP or PVT. Or you may be interested in therapy using an integrative approach of these different but complimentary modalities. Whatever form of therapy you choose, I am committed to help you make the most out of your sessions, from beginning to end. I am passionate about the healing power of counselling, psychotherapy and the capacity of the human psyche to heal, develop and grow. This belief, coupled with my own therapeutic healing journey and my training, underpins how I work (with adults on a one to-one-basis). I have a special interest in: trauma; psychophysiological disorders and the mind/body connection, especially how the body can be used as a tool to bring about change and healing. Appointments can either be face-to-face, via video or by telephone. My promise to you:
I will reply, when you make contact
I will be ethical and professional in our work together
I will only to work in areas I am trained and experienced to work with
I will help you understand relationship ruptures especially if they happen between us, because what happens in your life is often replicated in our therapeutic relationship which is a really precious and valuable learning and growth experience
I will offer you unconditional acceptance, empathy and to hold you in positive regard, because you really matter Contact me
“...an effective psychotherapist or psychoanalyst is a "microsurgeon of the mind" who helps patients make needed alterations in neuronal networks.”
Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
My WorkI offer non-judgemental help and support and tailoring the counselling and psychotherapy to you, because you and your needs are unique. I help you understand yourself and your situation on a deeper level which allows you to make positive and informed choices; often armed with information and insights that were previously unknown. Your Journey
Begins with a complimentary, brief introductory meeting by telephone or video, which gives us an opportunity to ask questions, discuss needs and get a sense of whether we would like to work together. Our no-obligation meeting, helps ensures the right fit before moving forward. This may lead to a sixty minute: Initial Assessment, which is a two-way process, giving an opportunity to explore your current symptoms, difficulties and your goals; you will also be assessing me and sensing if we are a good fit and I will also be assessing your clinical need and if I have the expertise and experience to help. Therapy Appointments of fifty minutes are offered at between £100 and £180 (depending on whether you are a private fee-paying individual, being funded via an insurance company or workplace and the length of the appointment. TrainingMA in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s College in London.
I am a Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist and have completed the IFS Institue:
Level 3 A Compassionate Approach to Addictive Processes
Level 2 Intimacy from the Inside Out
IFS Level 1
I am a Sensorimotor psychotherapist and have completed the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute:
Level 2 Sensorimotor for Developmental Injury
Level 1 Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defences and Traumatic Memory
I am a qualified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensation and Reprocessing) therapist
Other training includes: CBT for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma;
Somatic Trauma Therapy Training with Babette Rothschild;
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Health and Well-being
My initial training was psychodynamic with the CCC (Cambridgeshire Consultancy in Counselling).
I have received training in the following approaches: Sensorimotor, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Humanistic, Intergrative,
Psychodynamic, Existential, CBT and Brief short term work.
Each year I undertake Continuing Professional Development. Membership of Professional BodiesI am an accredited registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
I am a Psychotherapist member of the clinical team at Nafs Health Consultancy and Training Ltd
I am a member of Trauma Aid UK.
I am a registered provider with Aviva, AXA, Vitality, Cigna, and Helix Health Services Ltd.
I am fully insured and have an enhanced DBS certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service). Other experienceI have experience and knowledge of the 12 step programme of recovery.
I have also been trained and have worked with a National Bereavement Support Charity.
Contact me
(Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a method that draws upon the natural wisdom of the body, posture, movement and nervous system) to tap into the innate drive in all of us to heal, adapt and develop new capabilities. SP is for adults, children and adolescents who suffer from unresolved trauma, relationship problems or who want to reduce stress and improve their quality of life.
Pat Ogden
What can I expect when I make contact?
You are welcome to contact me by telephone, email or text to begin 'your journey'. Please share a summary of what has led you to seek help and what is going on for you and give brief details of your availability.
I feel anxious about making contact – can you help?
Sometimes when you are experiencing difficult feelings and emotions, it can be very challenging to even think about making an initial contact. This is very natural and if you prefer to email or text then that is ok. Making the initial contact and the first meeting is sometimes difficult but as a skilled therapist I will do my best to help put you at ease, however, if you need support to get to an initial appointment please let me know.
What problems have you experience of working with?
Some of the problems I have helped with are:
addiction problems, anger, anxiety, bereavement, bullying in education or at work, confusion, cultural issues, debt, depression, eating disorders, family illness and carer issues, family problems including breakdown and divorce, gender issues, identity issues, loneliness and isolation, loss, low self-esteem, medical problems, panic attacks, psychophysiological disorders, physical disability, pregnancy and abortion, relationship problems, sexuality issues, situational crisis, trauma, suicidal feelings, surviving abuse including sexual abuse, unemployment problems and work related stress.
How long will I need counselling or psychotherapy?
This is variable and is negotiated between us. Counselling tends to be shorter term work and can be anything from six sessions to 20 sessions. Many people start with six sessions and sometimes that is enough, or else it may be appropriate to continue.
Some people come with a fixed idea about a certain number of sessions and others are happy to work open ended until they are ready to finish. Whether short or long term, we will include regular review dates.
I have insurance cover, how do I proceed?
Your insurance company will provide you with an authorisation code along with the number of sessions that have been authorised; please supply this as soon as possible at the time of making an appointment or soon after booking.
How much will it cost?My fee is £100 to £180 for both the assessment and ongoing counselling or psychotherapy (depending on whether you are a private fee paying individual, being funded via an insurance company or workplace and the length of the appointment.
What can I expect at the first meeting?
The first meeting is a two way process. As we explore together what has led you to seek help and what is going on for you; I will be assessing your clinical need. You will be discovering how I work and if you feel comfortable with me, we explore what you wish to get from your therapy and further sessions can be booked.
Do you have evening appointments available?
Yes, please contact me to discuss what day and time would suit you.
“In sensorimotor treatment, traumatized clients are taught to become aware of trauma-related tendencies of orientation and to redirect their attention away from the past and toward the present moment. Repeatedly "shifting the client's attention to the various things going on outside of the flow of conversation [evokes] experiences which are informative and emotionally meaningful" (Kurtz, 2004, p. 40). Redirecting orientation and attention from conversation to present-moment experience-that is, from external awareness to internal awareness, and from the past to the present?engages exploration and curiosity, and clients can discover things about themselves that they did not know previously (Kurtz, 2004).”
Pat Ogden, Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy
Trauma, Developmental Trauma or Developmental Injury
Trauma is an emotional response to a overwhelming event like an accident, physical attack, or a natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions could include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, relationship difficulties, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.
Developmental trauma also called developmental injury is the result of seeming invisible childhood experiences of being misunderstood, mistreated or abused that have been repeated many times. These cumulative experiences could involve verbal abuse, neglect or manipulation by a parent but they can also include misattunement, parental inconsistency or not having our emotional needs met. As young children we are vulnerable and repeated experiences can lead to psychological and neurological disruption and also result in physical and emotional symptoms eg anxiety, feeling fearful of the world, racing heart, dissociation, insomnia and numbing to name just a few.
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The SSP is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, emotional self-regulation, and social engagement behaviours through listening to filtered music. As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to retune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience. The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider in person or remotely. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP is designed to shift the body from a defensive state to one of safety and social engagement, has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy includes the body in therapy both as a source of information and as a tool for healing. It harnesses the natural innate wisdom held within the body to tap into the intrinsic drive towards healing. This process can increase integration between body and mind.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) believes in the natural multiplicity of the mind, that we have multiple parts eg a part that wants to do something because we know it’s good for us and a part that does the opposite. We all have a core self that has inherent wisdom. Our parts are evolved from difficult experiences, eg trauma and attachment injuries and they carry burdens. Each part has a good intention for us and there are no ‘bad’ parts. The goal of therapy is to understand our parts role and heal their burdens, thereby helping to increase self-energy, achieve balance, harmony and wholeness in our system.
When you accept all the parts of you, you activate the 8 C's of your core self, namely: curiosity, calm, clarity, compassion, confidence, creativity, connectedness and courage.
Richard C Schwartz, Internal Family Systems
I have a light, airy, comfortable ground-floor private consulting room which is located in the CB4 area in North Cambridge. I’m just off the A14, close to King Hedges Road and the Cambridge Science Park, and very close to the A10 and M11.
There is free, easy parking on a quiet residential street.
I am within five minutes walk of the guided busway (Orchard Park bus stop).
The Cambridge North railway station is two miles away or a nine minute cycle ride.
The nearest bus stop is three minutes walk away (Armitage Way/Northfield Avenue).
If you would like to discuss anything further with me or would like to make an appointment, please contact me by telephone, email or text. All calls and messages and are confidential.
Mobile: 07946 549 321
Email:
info@counsellorincambridge.co.uk
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Location
North Cambridge, CB4
Telephone
Mob: 07946 549 321
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