What is a Typical Session Like?

Our first meeting often gives you the chance to share the thoughts, feelings, and experiences you haven’t been able to express elsewhere—without fear of judgment or consequence. I’ll do my utmost to see and hear you fully, beginning to understand what has happened to you and how it feels (and has felt) to be you.

• Your Pace, Your Space
  Some clients dive right in; others need more time and caution. Both are absolutely fine. There’s no pressure to discuss details you’re not ready for—if certain topics feel off-limits, we can hold them gently on the periphery until (and if) you decide otherwise.
• Person-Centred Focus
  In these early stages, sessions are strongly led by you. Over time, I’ll become more active—bringing in my expertise and guiding you toward pathways of healing uniquely tailored to your life story.

My practice is integrative and ever-evolving, shaped by ongoing learning and by the unique needs each client brings. Although every session is different, they tend to weave together three main elements:

1. Your Present
   What’s happening for you right now—events, thoughts, emotions, changes—since the last time we spoke.
2. Your Past
   How childhood and family dynamics shaped who you are today, and how these patterns continue to play out in adult life.
3. Your Inner World
   We’ll explore this through Jungian dream analysis, if you’re open to it, and/or through deep, shared exploration of your feelings. This is where we might also incorporate mentalization-based techniques, helping you reflect on your own mind and the minds of others.

I draw from person-centred counselling, Jungian depth psychology (especially dream interpretation), the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment (DMM), and techniques for complex trauma—including mentalization and emotional processing. These modalities complement and reinforce each other, but the balance varies depending on who you are and where you are in your therapeutic journey.

While these core elements guide most sessions, I also work with loss and grief, spiritual or existential questions, and the misuse of power—including how systemic or interpersonal threats shape mental and emotional well-being. Whether it’s oppression, discrimination, or past abuse, we can address these difficult realities in a safe and supportive setting.

I welcome clients of all faiths, or none. Over the years, I’ve worked with atheist scientists, devout Muslims, practising Christians, and more. I respect every worldview and am open to discussing spiritual issues where they intersect with your mental and emotional life. I’ll never seek to undermine your beliefs; instead, I’m here to learn from you as much as to offer what I have.

Dream work can bring a powerful, transformative energy to therapy. Dreams cut through our usual defenses, shining light on the most authentic parts of ourselves. They merge past, present, and inner dynamics into symbolic narratives that, when interpreted collaboratively, can:

• Reveal Hidden Inner Resources
  Dreams can uncover strengths and solutions you never knew you had, often tied directly to what you’re facing right now.
• Accelerate Deep Change
  Because dreams originate from your unconscious, they can jump-start processes of shadow integration, transforming suppressed emotions into conscious tools for healing and growth.
• Offer Compassion for Wounded Parts of Self
  Sometimes, a dream highlights a child-self in need of comfort or care. By acknowledging and nurturing that part of you in therapy, you may find a profound sense of wholeness and autonomy.

“The least of things with meaning is worth more than the greatest of things without.” — Carl Jung

Dreams aren’t mandatory for successful therapy—the relationship we build is always central. However, for those open to it, dream work can be a strikingly direct route to uncovering deeper truths, meaning, and direction.

Dreams often reveal feelings like anger, sadness, or fear that have been pushed aside. When these emotions remain in the shadows, they can hijack your best intentions, erupting at inconvenient moments. By bringing them into the light, you can channel them in healthier ways—turning unacknowledged anger into much-needed assertiveness, for example, or chaotic outbursts into joyful self-expression.

Attachment theory is more than a label; it’s a framework for understanding how early family relationships shape adult emotions, behaviors, and sense of identity. In particular, the Dynamic Maturational Model (DMM) clarifies how unconscious childhood strategies—once vital for survival—may become obstacles later on.

• Why It Matters
  Many current emotional patterns or conflicts stem from old ways of coping that no longer serve you. Recognizing these patterns can help you finally leave the past in the past or reinterpret it in a way that sets you free.
• When Combined with Dream Work
  Depth psychology and attachment theory dovetail beautifully: dream symbols often underscore attachment-based themes—loss, rejection, fear, security—offering a roadmap for emotional exploration. As you start to see these patterns clearly, new meaning emerges, guiding you toward a path that’s both practical and uniquely yours.

I’ve personally applied these techniques—dream analysis, attachment-based insights, and mentalization—in my own life. I know the terrain from both sides: as a practitioner and as someone who’s had to confront old wounds, reimagine survival strategies, and find fresh meaning in life. I bring all of that into our sessions so that “head knowledge” translates into feet-on-the-ground transformation.

If you’re ready to explore your story in this way—layer by layer, present to past, conscious to unconscious—therapy can offer not just relief from pain, but an awakening of deeper purpose and a more authentic connection to yourself and others.

Whether you choose to engage in dream work or not, the essence of therapy with me is a collaborative, empathetic exploration of who you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go. If you resonate with this approach, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Let’s co-create a path to healing that taps into your innate wisdom, realigns outdated patterns, and opens up new possibilities for living a life that feels truly your own.