Therapy
“Existence is the act of living with inner consent and the courage to face life authentically, even in the presence of unavoidable suffering and challenge.”
– Alfried Längle
Therapy
“Existence is the act of living with inner consent and the courage to face life authentically, even in the presence of unavoidable suffering and challenge.”
– Alfried Längle
As your therapist, I will work with you in navigating the complex landscape of your life’s challenges through an embodied existential approach that seeks to cultivate a profound connection to your whole authentic self. Through compassionate enquiry, we will explore the deeper questions that shape your existence, delving into the roots of wounds, triggers, and protection mechanisms that drive some of your perceptions and behaviours, often conflicting and antagonising each other. Using somatic experiencing techniques, you will learn to feel grounded in your body, allowing the wisdom within your embodied experience guide us. This approach will gently unravel your patterns of suffering, creating space for authentic choice and deeper alignment with your values. Together, we will work on strengthening the fundamental pillars of your existence – safety, belonging, relationship with life, authenticity, and meaning – and integrate your inner world so that you may live a fulfilled life, led with a sense of purpose and inner consent.
As your therapist, I will work with you in navigating the complex landscape of your life’s challenges through an embodied existential approach that seeks to cultivate a profound connection to your whole authentic self. Through compassionate enquiry, we will explore the deeper questions that shape your existence, delving into the roots of wounds, triggers, and protection mechanisms that drive some of your perceptions and behaviours, often conflicting and antagonising each other. Using somatic experiencing techniques, you will learn to feel grounded in your body, allowing the wisdom within your embodied experience guide us. This approach will gently unravel your patterns of suffering, creating space for authentic choice and deeper alignment with your values. Together, we will work on strengthening the fundamental pillars of your existence – safety, belonging, relationship with life, authenticity, and meaning – and integrate your inner world so that you may live a fulfilled life, led with a sense of purpose and inner consent.
Trauma, PTSD, CPTSD: Do you sometimes feel gripped by terrorising fears, catastrophising thoughts, or obsessive rumination? Do intense emotional and bodily flashbacks of overwhelming sensations or dissociative numbness shape your sense of reality? How do your triggers and reactions impact your ability to trust yourself and navigate daily life? What does freedom from the shadows of your past look like for you? How do you hold meaning in life, having been deeply affected by your pain and vulnerability?
Central to my work is an authentic relational presence, an “I-Thou” encounter that explores how trauma shapes your perceptions and engagement with life. Through somatic experiencing, we address how trauma manifests in your body, releasing stored tension, constriction, and dissociation. By viewing protective mechanisms as adaptive responses and approaching them with self-compassion, we reintegrate fragmented parts of the self. The aim is not only to resolve past wounds but to restore a coherent, embodied experience of life, guiding you from survival to a fuller, more vibrant existence marked by freedom, connection, and inner alignment.
Anxiety, Panic, Phobias, Paranoia, Obsessions: What deeper truths or unmet needs might your feelings of anxiety be pointing toward in your life? How do they feel in your body? Do you experience deep mistrust that affect your ability to connect with others? How do obsessive thoughts, rumination, catastrophising, or compulsive behaviours affect your sense of control and freedom? What lies beneath the urge to seek certainty? In what ways does fear keep you from living fully in the present moment? What would it mean for you to face these patterns not as obstacles, but your inner self seeking to guide you towards healing and wholeness?
Anxiety often emerges from the tension between life’s uncertainties and the longing for security – yet anything can happen, and there is no absolute safety. We explore how your anxiety reflects deeper existential questions of safety, freedom, limitations, and purpose, while somatic practices help release the tension it creates in your body. By bringing awareness to habitual reactions like avoidance or overthinking, we gradually loosen their grip and introduce more adaptive ways of coping. The focus is on building inner stability, aligning your choices with your authentic self, and fostering resilience amid existence’s inherent limitations, ultimately guiding you toward a more grounded and fulfilling existence.
Anger, Frustration, Rage: When anger or rage arises, how aware are you about how it expresses in your body, and what unspoken message or unmet need might it be signalling? How does your anger relate to a sense of crossed boundaries, unfairness, or unmet expectations in your life? Does it feel like a reaction to a perception of being trapped or constrained? What does it reveal about what truly matters to you? In moments of rage, do you experience an intense need for control or power? How does your relationship with anger affect your connection with others? What beliefs or past experiences fuel your anger, and how might releasing these patterns open space for a sense of relief and greater freedom?
In a space defined by safety and empathy, where you can genuinely be heard and understood, we will delve into how these profound emotions surface within your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Our exploration will include existential dialogues aimed at revealing the deeper unmet meanings and values that may be underlying your anger. We will employ somatic practices—such as grounded breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindful movement—to address physical symptoms, while existential compassionate inquiry will facilitate insight and understanding. By intertwining these methodologies, I will support your journey toward emotional regulation and expanded self-awareness, fostering a more profound comprehension of your psychodynamics. This approach will aid you in discerning your values, taking a considered stance, and acting with intention, all as part of a holistic and integrative healing process.
Depression, Burnout, Low Mood: Do you often feel a sense of emptiness, lack of motivation, heaviness or numbness in your body, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming? Do you struggle to connect emotionally with others, feeling isolated even in social situations? Do you experience a persistent sense of fatigue or heaviness, as if carrying a weight throughout the day? How often do you feel that life has lost joy or purpose, leaving you indifferent or disconnected from things that once mattered? Do you notice a sense of inner restlessness, yet also feel unable to act or make decisions, as if stuck in a cycle of inertia?
Depression often manifests as a sense of disconnection, feeling cut off from the value of life, others, purpose, or your own body. We’ll explore phenomenologically how depression expresses in your body-mind, gently bringing awareness to areas of numbness or heaviness. We’ll engage in an existential inquiry into key themes like enjoyment, authenticity, freedom, choice, relationships, or meaning that may be unresolved or suppressed. We’ll explore how protective patterns, like withdrawal or hopelessness, have developed as reactions to inner pain and how they might be blocking your ability to encounter life. Through compassionate enquiry, we’ll delve into what feels missing in your life, addressing past wounds and reorienting toward life by strengthening your ability to feel value and develop connection to what genuinely matters.
Abandonment: Do you often feel an underlying fear of being left behind or unimportant, even in close relationships? How does your body react when you sense someone pulling away? Do you feel frozen, tense, or a need to withdraw, as if bracing for the impact of being left behind? Do you struggle with trusting others, feeling that eventually, everyone will let you down or abandon you in some way? Are there moments when you feel consumed by loneliness or emptiness, as if no one truly cares or understands you? When someone seems distant or unavailable, do you experience a deep sense of rejection or panic, as if they might disappear from your life? How often do you notice yourself seeking reassurance or validation from others out of fear they might leave?
We’ll explore how your deep fear of being left behind or feeling unimportant shapes your relationships and how these fears manifest in your body, perhaps through tension, a sense of freezing, or an urge to withdraw. Together, we’ll investigate the protective parts of you that expect betrayal or rejection, helping them feel seen and understood, rather than dismissed. Through mindful embodiment practices, we’ll tune into the physical sensations that arise when you sense someone pulling away, creating space to gently hold those feelings instead of bracing against them. As we explore these dynamics, we’ll dive into the existential themes of trust, belonging, and the loneliness that often accompanies abandonment fears, whilst helping you connect with your core self, who can embrace vulnerability without needing constant reassurance. By integrating these approaches, you’ll be building trust, both in yourself and others, whilst cultivating a sense of self-worth that doesn’t rely solely on external validation.
Relationship Challenges, Co-Dependency, Intimacy and Sexuality Issues: Do you experience challenges in your relationships that seem rooted in deeper questions about your sense of identity, freedom, or balance between autonomy and closeness? Do you feel disconnected from your own needs and desires, as if losing yourself in the relationship? How does your body react in moments of relationship conflict? During intimate connection, do you feel fully present and attuned to your body, or disconnected, going through the motions without truly feeling engaged, or feeling lack of safety in your body as if you can’t really trust yourself or your partner? Do you feel you’re giving too much or receiving too little, as if the relationship dynamic isn’t reciprocal?
We’ll look at how deeper questions of identity, freedom, and the balance between autonomy and closeness might be influencing the way you perceive and position yourself in relating to yourself and others. We’ll address the ways you may feel disconnected from your own needs and desires, as if losing yourself in relationships or feeling reluctant to fully embrace them. Together, we’ll explore how your body responds during conflict or intimate moments, whether you feel attuned and present, or detached and unsafe. By integrating somatic awareness with inner dialogue, we’ll uncover the different parts of you that might be driving these patterns, helping you connect with both your authentic needs and your capacity for deeper intimacy. As we work together, I’ll guide you in navigating the push and pull between giving and receiving, helping you create more reciprocal and fulfilling dynamics while aligning with your core values and desires.
Addiction, Eating Disorders: Do you find yourself trapped in repetitive behaviours despite knowing they are harmful, feeling as though your actions are driven by something beyond your control? In moments of distress, do you notice a pattern of turning away from difficult feelings through food, substances or behaviours instead of being able to sit with and process what your body is experiencing? Do you find it difficult to remain fully present during moments of craving, as if your awareness shifts away from your embodied experience toward the compulsion itself? Do you feel a sense of relief, numbness, or dissociation after engaging in addictive or compulsive behaviours, as if temporarily escaping deeper discomfort?
When we work together on your struggles with addictions and obsessive compulsions, we’ll explore these behaviours as both expressions of deeper internal conflicts and coping mechanisms that may be out of your conscious control. We’ll start by acknowledging how these repetitive actions might be attempts to escape or numb difficult feelings, rather than fully engaging with what your body and emotions are communicating. I’ll help you reconnect with those underlying experiences by bringing attention to how cravings and compulsions pull you out of your present, embodied awareness. Through this integrative approach, we’ll work to identify the inner parts of you that drive these behaviours, often rooted in unmet needs or unresolved pain. By fostering greater self-awareness and compassion toward these parts, you’ll begin to shift from automatic, reactive patterns to more intentional and meaningful choices, ultimately transforming how you relate to your urges and breaking free from the cycle of compulsion and avoidance.
Low Self Esteem, Pleasing Attitudes, Conflict Avoidant: Do you often feel uneasy, constantly monitoring how others perceive you, as if your worth depends on their approval? Do you often feel compelled to agree with others or avoid conflict, even when it goes against your true feelings or needs? Do you frequently overextend yourself to meet others’ expectations, suppressing your emotions or preferences, and leaving you empty or resentful afterward? Do you feel a sense of losing your authentic self? How does this affect your understanding of your own worth and identity? In moments of self-doubt or people-pleasing, do you experience tension or nervousness, as if your body is bracing for rejection?
Our focus will be on helping you reconnect with your authentic self. We’ll explore how your sense of self-worth has become entangled with the need for external approval, examining how this affects your thoughts, emotions, and bodily responses. Through existential enquiry, we’ll delve into the deeper meanings behind your perception of your self, how avoiding conflict and prioritizing others’ needs has shaped your identity and values. Employing somatic awareness, we’ll bring attention to the tension and nervousness you may carry, understanding how your body braces for rejection or judgment. You’ll learn to recognize the internal parts that drive people-pleasing and overextension, working with them compassionately to create a more balanced relationship within yourself. This process involves gently reclaiming your boundaries, expressing your true needs, and gradually shifting toward a self-worth rooted in inner value and authenticity rather than external validation. Through this integrative approach, you will build a more grounded sense of self, aligning your actions with your core values and finding freedom from the cycle of self-doubt and over-accommodation.
Meaninglessness, Lack of Purpose: Do you often feel a sense of emptiness, as if life lacks direction or significance, leaving you disconnected from what truly matters? Do you struggle to find a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction in life, even when you achieve goals or meet expectations? When you think about the future, do you struggle to envision anything that genuinely excites or motivates you? Does your body feel tense or fatigued when contemplating your goals, as if there’s resistance to moving forward in any direction? When feeling lost or purposeless, do you find it difficult to experience joy through your senses, as if you’re disconnected from your own physical presence? When confronted with choices, do you struggle to determine what aligns with a deeper sense of meaning, leaving you feeling stuck, frustrated or indifferent?
In our work together, I’ll help you explore the sense of emptiness or lack of direction that may leave you feeling disconnected from what truly matters. Through an existential and integrative lens, we’ll examine how your current goals, decisions, and daily life may feel hollow or unsatisfying, even when you achieve what’s expected. We’ll look at how this inner void affects both your mental outlook and physical state, such as tension, fatigue, or resistance when contemplating the future. We’ll tune into the parts of you that feel lost or stuck, and gently explore what barriers might be preventing a deeper connection with life value and purpose. By reconnecting with your body’s sensations, we’ll work on grounding you in the present and awakening a sense of joy and vitality. Together, we’ll identify and align with new, authentic values that can reorient you toward a more meaningful life, allowing you to make choices that resonate with your true self and reignite your sense of purpose.
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
– Peter A. Levine
Therapy Appointments and Prices
Discovery: Our journey begins with a complimentary 20-minute discovery call, offering us the opportunity to experience each other’s presence, learn about your challenges, and to explore the potential of our collaboration in service to your healing.
Content: In our work together, I will guide you through an in-depth exploration of existential themes that are central to understanding your experience. We’ll start by examining the concepts of safety and belonging, exploring how they shape your perception of yourself and your place in the world. By reflecting on these elements, we can better understand how they influence your sense of security and connection in various aspects of life. We’ll also delve into your core values and how they impact your relationships, self-worth, and overall enjoyment of life. This will involve a close look at how these values manifest in your interactions with others and your sense of fulfillment.
As we progress, we’ll focus on the pursuit of authenticity and the search for purpose and meaning in your daily existence. We’ll explore how these existential questions affect your choices and aspirations, helping you align more closely with your true self. Our discussions will consider how your embodied experiences, that is, your physical sensations and emotional responses, reflect deeper aspects of your existential journey. By integrating a philosophical perspective on these themes with an understanding of relational dynamics, I aim to support you in navigating the complexities of modern life with greater clarity and intention.
Together, we’ll also address how you can cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning in your life, ensuring that your actions and decisions resonate with your core beliefs and values. This integrative approach is designed to help you find a balance between personal fulfillment and relational harmony, guiding you towards a more profound and authentic engagement with your life’s journey.
Duration: Sessions, whether conducted in-person or online, are held weekly on an open contract basis and span 60 to 90 minutes, offering consistent support and continuity in your journey.
“Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”
– William James
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Live a Life Existentially Fulfilled.
