Put yourself first

This is the face of someone who has been sea’d. Im Making it a verb. Because frankly it does so much for me.

Tonight i put myself first and made my way down to our amazing estuary for a sea paddle.

So many other things i could “should” myself into doing. Work or family related. Its always there isnt it!

Fortunately i am beginning to break that lifetime habit of putting other things in front of my mental health.

I used to believe i would wait until i was thinner to bare my thighs to the world and get in the water in front of people.

Happily i have lost the giving two ****’s gene and now do exactly what i want, when i want. If you haven’t then i highly recommend it.

I never regret sea paddling. Its always healing. Always lifts my mood.

What do you do to lift your mood?

Hayley Barker Smith

Phone number: 07903 410027

info@hayleybarkersmith.co.uk

Every trauma tells a story that has not been truly heard, leaving the core self raw and invalidated and keeping you small. You may find yourself facing many challenges at various times in your life. Sometimes feeling shame or afraid to speak up, struggle with low self-esteem or confidence issues, feeling stuck or like you are living in a dark place with no sense of how or where to find the light.

Hayley is a highly experienced Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist registered with the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). She helps people of all ages who are looking for mental and emotional health support with trauma including: -

Relational issues
Narcissistic Abuse
Co-dependency
Anxiety
Depression
Self-Harm
PreMenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Coercive and Controlling Relationships
Childhood Trauma
Bereavement
Shame and worthlessness
Self-harm
Suicidal Ideation

Her intention is to support you to understand your thoughts, feelings, and life experiences as valid responses to your previous and current experience so that you can feel empowered, heard, and begin to heal.

Hayley’s Experience

Hayley graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University with a DipHE in Person-Centred Counselling for Children & Adolescents and a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy working with adults.

She trained and worked with the Woman’s Trust helping women of all ages experiencing domestic abuse, overcome emotional and mental harm from narcissistic abuse, coercive and controlling relationships, co-dependency, sexual violence, and all forms of abuse. She knows and understand the different ways abuse can impact individuals and their sense of self - anxiety and depression, trauma, suicidal feelings, self-loathing, shame, and worthlessness.

How Hayley works

Processing deeply held loss, grief or trauma in therapy can be both painful and life changing. You will go at your own pace and share what only feels right for you, as YOU are the expert of YOU.

Hayley has a deeply empathic person-centred approach and gives you the time and space to express your feelings and discuss your experiences openly, in your own words and in your own time. She will work sensitively with you as a compassionate witness to your story, without judgement, and with unconditional acceptance.

Mind & Body (Somatic experience)

With a VTCT diploma in complementary therapies and background as an energy practitioner, Hayley offers a very calming space where you are treated with sensitivity and respect. She is very in tune with the mind/body connection and works very much with the sensations and emotions that are stuck in the body, presence (the here and now), your felt sense, energy, grounding, and imagery.

Katie Hutchin

katiehutchin40@gmail.com

I am a qualified Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience of working with people in distress or displaying challenging behaviors. Over the past 11 years’ I have been working as a qualified psychologist in the NHS supporting children, young people and families who are experiencing a range of emotional difficulties. I work with complex issues including, but not limited to depression, school phobias, anxiety/fearfulness, trauma, grief, illness, aggression, mild to moderate self-harm and suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, parenting and relationship issues. Clinical psychologists are trained to a high level to use the most up to date and extensively researched therapies to support a person/family make sense of their difficulties and find ways to live a more contented life. I am a firm believer that each of us has the capacity to transform our lives and our relationships with the support of a good therapist.

After a brief assessment, we will come up with a plan for therapy that will move you towards your goals. It may be useful for me to contact other agencies and professionals involved with your family/child. I enjoy using a variety of mediums including family work, play-based approaches, as well as the more traditional talking therapies. I am passionate about childhood and always take a developmental approach when understanding what is going on for a child/adolescent or family. If you are looking for someone to support your family through a challenging time, offer specialist assessment and intervention for specific concerns or provide a psychological opinion on concerns that you may have about your child then do get in touch.

I am also able to offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialist treatment for simple or complex trauma. At a pace that suits you, we will gently and carefully work through your experiences so you can regain control of your life.

Geraldine Meadows - Therapist & Coach

Phone number: 07739 426375

We are delighted to welcome Geraldine Meadows, MBACP: therapist & coach to our centre.

"I believe you can feel better than you do now: that you can know and understand yourself better and feel both lighter and more secure in yourself. I also believe firmly in the power of connection, and communication, to help achieve these goals."

"I work in an integrative way, blending elements of person centred, existential and psychodynamic theory, working in a creative way to suit your needs.

Person-centred: an approach which considers you the expert in your own life and in which you are met with a set of core conditions such as empathy, congruence and positive regard.

Existential: a philosophical approach which focuses on the human condition as a whole, dealing with challenges associated with living such as relationships, freedom and responsibility and the quest to find meaning.

Psychodynamic: this type of work aims to shine a light on the unconscious - to build awareness of what's happening as a deeper level within, helping people to know and understand themselves more fully and building awareness to bring about change.

My training also includes a qualification in coaching - I want know what you want out of life and to work with you to discover how to get there.

Starting therapy takes courage. It takes effort and belief that you can feel better than you do now. I've been there and know how much it takes. From day one, the rewards can be rich - you can feel lighter, brighter and better understood. The process of therapy can be a really fun adventure. I experience a lot of laughter and moments of mirth with clients. It’s a journey of learning and discovery. I am here to join you on the journey -- please get in touch to take the first step."

Geraldine has an MA in Philosophy from the University of Glasgow and a PG.Dip (Dist) in Integrative Counselling and Coaching from the University of East London. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their strict ethical framework & code of conduct.