Core Process Psychotherapy
Core Process Psychotherapy was established in 1982, and is accredited by United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). This approach brings together knowledge from western psychology and neuroscience, with a contemplative understanding based on compassion and awareness.
Core Process holds the perspective that at our core is an inherent health and wholeness. This can become obscured to us due to the experiences of our lives: the times our needs have not been met; and the ways that we have shaped ourselves in order to receive love, gain acceptance, or deal with situations. While these adaptations may have been useful and neccessary in the past, they can hold us back in the present.
A relational approach
Where the right conditions are in place, this inherent health and wellbeing can come to the fore once more. I provide a robust and genuine relationship, which develops a client's capacity for self-compassion and self-understanding. We can come to see how and why we have developed ways of being (e.g. anxiety) and coping mechanisms. When we can become curious about these, and meet them from a resourced place, then our relationship with even difficult experiences can change. We may find that we can move forward with greater trust and self confidence.
Cultural heritage & marginalisation
My heritage and social identities will differ from yours. How you view and experience the world will be in part based on your cultural heritage, race, gender, class, sexuality, age, etc. and this may be an important part of what you are coming to therapy for. You may have experienced marginalisation and pain in relation to these within our society. To support my clients, I am committed to exploring these themes within myself and my work in an ongoing way, through attending trainings, reading and study groups, and through supervision.
Present moment enquiry
As with other approaches to psychotherapy, you are free to talk about whatever is most troubling or important to you. My role is to get alongside you and understand the world from your unique point of view. It is essential that you feel deeply heard and understood.
One way in which Core Process Psychotherapy differs from many models is that you are also invited and supported to sense what is happening in the present moment. What feelings, sensations & impulses are around as you explore your thoughts? The present moment is shaped and conditioned by what has come before. By dropping into the felt sense of things at times, understanding and insight can emerge, which might not be available by purely analysing or conceptualising.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there."
Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī
Professional standards
Confidentiality and professional standards are of the utmost importance and form an essential part the psychotherapy I offer. This is conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the UKCP. I receive weekly supervision to support my work with clients.
To learn more about Core Process Psychotherapy from the Karuna Institute, please click here.
