Equine Facilitated Psychotraumatology   
* The IFEEL Method of  EFPT is an evidence-based bio-psycho-social model of Psychotherapy for Trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD

 Brainspotting
* Brainspotting is a powerful focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challeging symptoms


scroll down for a more detailed introduction.....
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 Acute Stress Disorder, Trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD, Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue

I  understand how trauma and attachment difficulties can affect behaviour and therefore the life outcomes for clients.
I also understand how it can affect the parents, children, carers, family, friends and professionals involved in their lives.

Equine Facilitated Psychotraumatology* is uniquely able to offer support and engagement in a non-confrontational, client-led way, with key outcomes being observed over time as, for example: a development in distress tolerance, emotional regulation, resilience, reduction and management of anxiety, depression and stress related behaviours and symptoms, better communication, healthy boundaries, problem solving, decision making and emotional fitness.

​The development and fine-tuning of these skills offer enhanced adaptive resources to those who are experiencing mental, emotional and physiological difficulties either themselves or through caring for someone who does.

I offer Equine Facilitated Psychotraumatology and Brainspotting sessions as part of an integrated trauma treatment plan and can work in partnership with other professionals where needed. I work in room based settings and in outdoor, natural spaces in the presence of horses and the wider, natural world.

Based on the tri-phasic model of trauma treatment I support effective, long term recovery and well-being maintenance through focusing on:
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Phase 1) This phase is about feeling better, right here, right now:
Stabilisation of symptoms. We begin with education regarding the neurobiology and physiology of stress, Trauma, PTSD,
C-PTSD including learning techniques to encourage and embed emotional, psychological and physiological safety, co/self-regulation and autonomy.

Phase 2) This phase is about processing what happened to you:
I work with a number of different evidence-based protocols and those where an evidence base is building.
​Together we find the best way forward on an individual, 1:1 basis.
This is a personal journey and is always client-led. 
Some of the protocols I use include:

• IFEEL Cognitive Processing & Restructuring (CPR) a Cognitive Processing Therapy/Trauma Focused - CBT model
• Rewind Technique
• Image Reduction (for flashbacks and intrusive thoughts)
• Brainspotting*

Phase 3) Post Traumatic Growth and maintenance:
Exploring an integrated self, finding our gifts, talents and skills for a healthy, thriving life. Once we have successfully processed our trauma and integrated our learning we now set out on our new lives. Tender shoots of possibility are held carefully and safely as we reintegrate our new self with the world, discovering what new, empowered and authentic relationships can look and feel like.

​*Brainspotting - Where we look affects how we feel. BSP makes use of this natural phenomenon through its use of relevant eye positions. This helps the BSP therapist to locate, focus, process and release a wide range of emotionally and bodily-based conditions. It is understood that BSP taps into and harnesses the body’s natural self-scanning, self-healing ability. "Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with Biolateral sound, which is deep, direct, and powerful yet focused and containing." https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/what-is-brainspotting/
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​Where necessary we return to Phase 1 and Phase 2 from time to time to keep our transformation journey safe and as we meet new 'information' at our growth edge. 

*Why partner with horses?
Horses have evolved for over 50 million years. Throughout their evolution they have relied on their sophisticated social and embodied instincts to sense threat and subtle changes of information in their environment, within each other and the larger animal kingdom to protect themselves and their herds across a myriad of varied territories.
In terms of evolution, horses have been extremely successful. Interestingly, they have a quicker flight response than that of a mouse, yet they are predisposed to living peacefully, stabilising quickly after any life threatening moments, returning to graze in quiet, cooperative community. They are hard wired to survive and thrive through strong, life-long relationships (attachment) to their herd.
Observing how our herd lives offers us a window into their world of non-verbal, intuitive reasoning, processing and wellbeing maintenance (homeostasis). 
Their curiosity to seek connection with humans too helps us reflect, focus on and draw out our own inner process to find solutions to the intra and inter personal difficulties we may face at times, particularly as a result of traumatic experiences.

No previous experience of horses is required and all interactions with horses are ground based. No riding is undertaken. Time with the horses can happen through protected contact (across a boundary or fence-line) or within shared space with the herd through advanced inter-relational experiences, exploring self, other, connection and relationship.
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Healing from Trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD is not linear. There is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and a lot of the work relies on re-establishing, then harnessing your own innate ability to heal within the context of a 'felt' sense of safety - neuroception.
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I take time to explore with you how, when and at what pace to proceed.

You may be drawn to working with me if you enjoy and feel nurtured by being in quiet spaces and outdoor, natural environments, but also appreciate professional (clinically recognised) practice, for the safe processing of your experiences. 
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I work collaboratively with services, referrers and other professionals to ensure duty of care and safeguarding.
I am a member of the National Council of Psychotherapists, am enhanced DBS checked and fully qualified to Level 6 Diploma in Equine Facilitated Psycho-Traumatology.
​I have undertaken training in Brainspotting (Phase 1 and Phase 2).

See the About page for more information.