Finding What Works for You
Everyone has different issues when it comes to pain. It's not one size fits all, and I offer different therapies that are proven to work on various presenting problem areas. These are all evidence based and I am qualified for each. Click to learn more.
My original training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). While CBT is an evidence-based approach for treating pain problems, I find it particularly valuable for developing a clear and shared formulation – the foundation of effective and successful therapy. When we both truly understand and agree on what’s happening, we can work together in the same direction, helping you live your life in a way that feels right for you
ACT helps you regain focus on what truly matters to you, even when pain makes it hard to see. If you feel stuck, it guides you to move forward by letting go of the struggle with pain—especially in conditions where the cause cannot be changed. This evidence-based approach is recommended in the UK’s NICE guidelines for the treatment of Primary Pain
I began training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in 2008 with JoAnne Dahl, Mark Webster, and many others. Since then, I have continued to deepen my expertise, running training sessions and facilitating workshops myself. I also developed an ACT-based day clinic programme for people with chronic pain at the Pain Management Centre at the University Hospital Freiburg, Germany.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is an evidence-based approach that helps with the neuroplastic aspects of pain. Neuroplastic pain occurs when the brain misinterprets safe signals as pain due to learned patterns or heightened sensitivity. PRT helps retrain the brain to break this cycle, reducing pain and restoring a sense of ease in the body.
I completed my training in PRT in 2022 and particularly appreciate its playful approach to teaching the brain how to feel safe again
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals identify and express emotions that may contribute to physical pain. By increasing emotional awareness and processing suppressed feelings, EAET helps create new pathways in the brain, breaking the pain cycle. EAET has a growing evidence base and was mentioned in the US Pain Management Best Practices report. I trained in EAET in 2024 and am fascinated by the possibilities it offers for working with neuroplastic aspects of pain.
Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT), developed by Mervyn Schmucker, helps individuals explore and heal suppressed emotions through rescripting, a process that shares similarities with some elements in EAET. In my work, I focus primarily on a standalone aspect of IRRT—engaging in a dialogue with the inner child. This dialogue provides powerful insights and support for understanding how we relate to ourselves. It fosters emotional healing and offers valuable guidance for managing both pain and emotional challenges. My training includes workshops on IRRT by Mervyn Schmucker, as well as Inner Child Work by R. and S. Köster.
With many years of experience and ongoing professional development, I have learned and then integrated a variety of additional therapeutic elements into my work, drawing from approaches such as Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Humanistic Therapy, and more. I use these elements where they are helpful and beneficial to the individual, tailoring my approach to best support each person's unique needs.