My story
I spent years in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead specialising in neurology and neuropsychiatry - literally working with how nervous systems potentially heal after brain injuries; cognitively, emotionally and physically. My different roles included helping people process the impact life changing neurological events had on their sense of self and role in relation to loved ones/family dynamics and the wider society. These skills, knowledge and experience provides a robust understanding of the nervous system, neuroplasticity (brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life in response to experiences, learning, or after injury) and negotiating the diagnostic-medical model with the human-holistic experience.
But I Carried My Own Trauma
My own childhood trauma which included physical, emotional abuse, poverty, being let down by services meant to help me and caregivers either absent or with their own severe mental health problems.
When Insight Wasn't Enough
Psychodynamic therapy gave me the understanding of how my past shaped my adult behaviours and brought some of my unconscious process into my field of awareness. However, I was still hell bent on self destruction and oscillating between fight/flight/freeze. Although at the time I wasn’t even aware of these terms. I just knew I was angry, hurt and unable to form healthy relationships with myself or others.
The Breakthrough
Seeing a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner became my gateway to understanding how childhood trauma lives in my nervous system. For the first time, I felt genuine consistent self compassion and slowly, gently my feelings and actioned aligned. I amalgamate professional training with lived embodied experience. My journey, like many, has not been linear but now, through specialist trauma therapy, I have: a more regulated and resilient nervous system, healthy boundaries and a life where my actions are aligned with my sense of self worth. Now, I have the privilege of walking alongside other women as they claim their sense of safety and self.
Rooted in your healing
Angela
How I support my clients:
I believe trauma healing isn't just about understanding what happened to you.
While traditional talk therapy helps you make sense of your story, it often misses something crucial: trauma lives in your nervous system, not just your thoughts. This is why you can understand your childhood experiences perfectly but still get triggered, still feel unsafe, still struggle with relationships.
Most conventional therapy approaches miss that your nervous system is still stuck in the past, trying to survive a danger that's no longer there. The approaches I use work differently - we help your body learn that the danger is over-bringing awareness to your physiology in the here and now. And stop being a slave to your chronological past.
When we work together, we use gentle, conversational methods (no touch involved) to build awareness and focus on helping your nervous system settle, regulate and build capacity for the uncomfortable without tipping you into fight/flight/freeze. We work in a way, not to re traumatised but to process what's been stored, so you can finally feel more genuinely safe and connected.
Training and experience
Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy - London South Bank University
Master of Arts (Joint Honours) English Literature and Italian - University of Glasgow
12+ years NHS and private healthcare experience throughout London, Manchester and Glasgow
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training (specialist in how the body stores and processes trauma)
Mastering Polyvagal Theory for Trauma Professionals (understanding how your nervous system responds to threat)
Certificates in Psychodynamic and Humanistic (Person Centred) Counselling
Additional training in: complex trauma from childhood, Putting Polyvagal Theory Into Practice With Deb Dana: Essential Strategies for Creating Safety and Connection With Trauma Clients, working with shame and trauma.
Registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and featured in Psychology Today and Hub of Hope
Enhanced DBS and PVG certificates
Years of personal therapy: Psychodynamic, Art Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing
