How I Work

Integrating Buddhism, Humanistic and Existential Therapy with EMDR, IFS, and SE

A Holistic Approach to Healing and Growth

In the ever-evolving field of psychotherapy, finding harmony between various therapeutic modalities can create profound opportunities for healing. My practice embodies this philosophy, seamlessly weaving together the spiritual insights of Buddhism, the empathetic foundation of humanistic therapy, and the depth-oriented perspectives of existential therapy with the transformative tools of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems), SE (Somatic Experiencing), and cutting-edge neuroscience.

A Grounding in Buddhist Principles

Buddhism offers a timeless lens through which we can view suffering, impermanence, and the pursuit of inner peace. Central to this integration is mindfulness—the practice of cultivating presence and awareness in each moment. Combined with psychotherapy, Buddhist principles encourage clients to approach their struggles with curiosity and acceptance, fostering resilience through compassion and self-reflection.

In the therapeutic process, the concepts of interconnectedness and non-attachment are also pivotal. These elements enable clients to develop perspectives that transcend rigid narratives about their identities, relationships, and traumas, paving the path for profound transformation.

Humanistic and Existential Foundations

Humanistic therapy places the client at the centre of the experience, honouring their inherent worth and potential for self-actualisation. Existential therapy, meanwhile, addresses the deepest questions of existence: meaning, freedom, isolation, and mortality. By integrating these approaches, I guide clients to embrace their autonomy while exploring the existential truths that shape their lives, helping them navigate challenges with authenticity and courage.

The combination of humanistic empathy and existential depth creates a rich, nuanced space where clients can reconnect with their values and aspirations, ultimately enabling them to lead more aligned and purposeful lives.

The Modern Therapeutic Modalities

EMDR: Healing Trauma Through Bilateral Stimulation

EMDR is a powerful tool for processing trauma. By engaging the brain’s natural healing mechanisms through bilateral stimulation, this technique enables clients to reframe and resolve distressing memories. In my practice, EMDR is enhanced by mindfulness and compassionate inquiry, allowing clients to approach their trauma with both clarity and gentleness.

IFS: Connecting With Inner Parts

Internal Family Systems therapy provides a framework to understand and heal the multifaceted parts within us. By fostering dialogue between these internal voices—whether they are protectors, exiles, or managers—I help clients achieve harmony within their internal systems. Buddhist ideas of non-judgment and interconnectedness complement IFS, encouraging clients to view their inner parts with compassion and wisdom.

SE: Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Body

Somatic Experiencing taps into the body’s innate ability to heal from trauma. By focusing on physical sensations and releasing stored tension, SE helps clients restore balance to their nervous systems. This approach aligns beautifully with Buddhist mindfulness and existential attention to physical embodiment, enabling clients to deepen their awareness of the synergy between mind and body.

Integrating Cutting-Edge Neuroscience

Incorporating cutting-edge neuroscience into therapeutic practice unlocks a deeper understanding of the brain’s role in emotional regulation, trauma processing, and resilience-building. Advances in neuroscience provide invaluable insights into neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself in response to experiences. By leveraging this knowledge, I help clients create new neural pathways that support healing and foster positive behavioural changes.

Techniques such as mindfulness-based and brain-based somatic interventions are integrated into sessions, enhancing the effectiveness of EMDR, IFS, and SE. This integration allows clients to engage with their healing journey at both a biological and psychological level, empowering them to harness the innate capacity of their brains to promote growth and recovery.

By bridging the gap between neuroscience and traditional therapeutic models, I aim to create a more comprehensive and informed approach to healing, one that honours the complexity of the human mind while embracing its potential for transformation.

The Synergistic Blend

The integration of these modalities creates a dynamic, personalised approach to healing. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges of the individual. Clients are empowered to explore their lives through multiple dimensions—spiritual, emotional, cognitive, and physical—while safely engaging with the complexities of their experiences.

This blend is rooted in the belief that healing is not merely the absence of suffering but the flourishing of one’s deeper self. By combining the transformative methods of EMDR, IFS, and SE with the wisdom of Buddhist, humanistic, and existential philosophies, and the insights of neuroscience, I provide a holistic pathway for growth that honours the entirety of the human experience.

A Commitment to Empowerment

Ultimately, this integrative approach is about empowerment. It is about helping clients reclaim their agency and reconnect with their inner strength, enabling them to navigate life’s challenges with authenticity and grace. Through this synergistic journey, they move toward a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them—toward healing, purpose, and peace.

My aim is to integrate a coherent combination of cognitive, emotional and somatic, trauma-focused approaches within a supportive therapeutic relationship to help facilitate new meaning, new possibilities and new choices to enable you to live a more fulfilling, meaningful and liberated life.