Specialist areas of interest

Trauma, domestic abuse, and sexual violence

I have worked and volunteered in advocacy, domestic abuse, trauma services, and related sectors for over 20 years. I understand trauma not only as a set of symptoms, but as something that affects safety, trust, boundaries, self-worth, and the ability to feel at home in your own body.

We always work at a pace that feels manageable. You stay in control of what you share, and we focus on building steadiness, understanding patterns, and widening your sense of safety and self-esteem.

You might be here because:

  • You feel on edge, hyper-aware, or unable to relax

  • You experience flashbacks, panic, intrusive memories, or nightmares

  • You feel numb, detached, shut down, or “not fully here”

  • Shame, guilt, or self-blame keeps surfacing

  • You struggle with boundaries, trust, or people-pleasing

  • Relationships feel unsafe, confusing, or intense

  • You’re dealing with the after-effects of coercive control, even if the relationship has ended

  • You feel disconnected from your body, or find intimacy difficult

What we can work on:

  • Grounding and steadiness (so life feels less like survival mode)

  • Shame and self-blame (without pushing you into disclosure)

  • Rebuilding boundaries, self-trust, and confidence

  • Understanding patterns that formed around survival and protection

  • The impact on relationships, intimacy, and identity

  • Finding language for what happened, only when it feels safe and useful

  • Making sense of the “echo” trauma can leave behind, and reducing its grip on the present

Safety and support
If you are living with abuse now, your safety matters more than doing “good therapy”. Specialist domestic abuse services can help with safety planning, practical options, and confidential support, alongside therapy if you choose.

  • Immediate danger: call 999. If you cannot speak, dial 999 and press 55 when prompted.

  • Women experiencing domestic abuse: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge), 0808 2000 247 (24 hours). Refuge

  • LGBTQ+ survivors: Galop National Helpline, 0800 999 5428 (phone, email and webchat). Galop

  • Men experiencing domestic abuse: Men’s Advice Line (Respect), 0808 801 0327 (Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; webchat available). Men's Advice Line

The NHS also has a practical “getting help for domestic violence and abuse” guide, including online safety advice. NHS

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