Affirming, Inclusive and Relational Gestalt Psychotherapy in York and Online
The relationship is the therapy …
Life can leave us feeling disconnected — from ourselves, from others, or from a sense of belonging or meaning. You might be navigating the changes of midlife or menopause, feeling anxious or burnt out, struggling in relationships, questioning aspects of your identity, or living with the effects of trauma and shame.
Sometimes, patterns that once helped us cope and survive no longer seem to serve us.
You don’t have to make sense of everything on your own. We can begin by exploring what’s happening for you, together.
My name is Anne. I am a UKCP-accredited Gestalt psychotherapist and academic supervisor. As a therapist, I support individuals over 25, as well as couples and relationships, to explore experiences, identities and transitions at greater depth.
I offer face-to-face therapy in York on Thursdays, from Clements Hall, a welcoming community venue in South Bank, and online sessions from Monday to Wednesday. I work online with people across the UK and EU.
At the heart of our work is the relationship we develop together. I believe that feeling met can open up new possibilities for how we experience ourselves and relate to others.
I aim to offer an affirming space for people whose identities, relationships or experiences may not always feel understood or welcomed elsewhere. This includes LGBTQIA+ and queer people, those in diverse relationships, folks who spend much of their lives masking, and people exploring the intersections of race, culture and heritage. It is also a space for questions of ancestry and belonging, belief and meaning, or experiences that may feel difficult to speak about elsewhere.
A gestalt approach – being with what is
My approach to therapy is relational, inclusive and informed by social justice values. My style is conversational, warm and humane. I am interested in you as a whole person, rather than seeing your difficulties as something that is simply wrong with you. You don’t need ‘fixing’, no matter how broken you feel.
Our experiences are shaped by many things: our relationships, families, histories, identities and the wider world we live in. Sometimes what we experience as personal struggles — anxiety, shame, self-criticism or burnout — can be natural responses to difficult circumstances, exclusion or injustices we have faced.
Gestalt therapy invites us to become more aware of what is happening for us in the present moment. Together, we pay attention to thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations as they arise, as well as to what might be difficult to feel, express or put into words. We become curious about patterns in how you relate to yourself and others, and explore whether new ways of being might become possible.
We can also use creative and/or grounding practices to calm your nervous system when there are no words for what your mind-heart-body-soul knows. This might involve mindful breathing, body scans, gentle stretching or vigorous movement, stimming, or working with creative materials, music, poetry, and imagery. These are always explored together, drawing on what feels meaningful, enjoyable or grounding for you. Silence is always welcome, if this is what you need.
Taking the first step – I am here to welcome you
Getting in touch with a therapist can feel like a big step. You don’t need to know exactly what to say or have everything worked out before you contact me.
We can begin with a free online introductory conversation — 20 minutes for individuals or 30 minutes for couples/relationships. You can share a little about what brings you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
There is no need to make any decisions before we’ve had that conversation.
I look forward to hearing from you.
