Our Approach
We work together with you, and provide a safe, supportive, private, confidential and non-judgmental space that is conducive to reflection, self-healing, self-curiosity and self-development and strengthening relationships.
Drawing upon psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, EMDR, cognitive-behavioural and integrative models, we offer one-to-one sessions, group work and family therapeutic support. These may involve talking, a range of interactions with nature, and creative or active approaches such as dance and drama. We offer advice only when this is part of our contract with you or when circumstances require it. An example would be helping parents of teenagers or members of a school pastoral team to develop strategies to support children.
We provide on-going and intensive support for individuals and families at our main location in Paradise Farmhouse, and provide a School Counselling Service wherever a school contracts us. The school service, with more than twenty years’ experience (initially as part of Paradise Farmhouse), supports children, parents and families, including where trauma and/or behavioural problems may be an issue.
The Neurology of Trauma
At Therapeutic Journeys our practice is underpinned by up-to-date knowledge of the impact of trauma not only on the brain, memory and mind but also, very significantly, on the body.
Our practice takes into consideration that the body and mind form a dynamic interdependent unit that is liable to change, and that is in constant communication back and forth. We have created our own programme called The Worry’s Journey. The main component of the programme is The Worry’s Journey Worksheet, inspired by EMDR G-TEP. The Worksheet guides individuals to use any aspect of their distress, such as symptoms, triggers or images, as the entry point for reprocessing the traumatic experience and for changing what they wish to change.
In its design and sequencing, the Worksheet embeds the neuroscientific insights of the bottom-up approach and the conditions necessary for memory reconsolidation. Stabilisation is prioritised before any desensitisation and reprocessing are undertaken.
The intervention follows a series of progressive, sequential steps designed to guide the process effectively. This structure helps maintain focus on the experiences that each participant chooses to work on, reducing distractions and avoiding deviations from the agreed goals. Additionally, it serves as a screening tool, providing indicators of progress and identifying when a different intervention might be needed. The intervention uses graphics and texts to represent the various elements required for the work, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the process.
The Worry’s Journey also incorporates as self-soothing module, The Soothing Bubble, which can stand alone.
The Soothing Bubble is a technique that trains the individual to listen to body sensations while trying to interpret their messages. It induces a calmer state and promotes the development of a capacity to identify and interpret messages communicated by body sensations. The Soothing Bubble exercise cultivates the ability to experience the body as a safe container for strong feelings (positive or negative) and creates a transitional space where reflection can be facilitated.
Trauma is not a weakness of character.
Trauma is the result of a terrifying or disturbing experience (or series of experiences) that overwhelms the nervous system, and as a result the information from that unbearable experience is stored in an unhelpful way; that is, disorganised, disconnected and/or in a fragmented state. This situation may lead to a long-term inability to accomplish necessary daily life tasks (i.e. at work, study), to relate positively to the environment and feel satisfaction.
Interventions
Therapeutic Journeys specialises in targeting trauma with EMDR intensive open door residential interventions for individuals, groups and for significant others.
What is involved
When you approach us we will arrange an initial meeting in order to ascertain your needs and wishes. Based on a shared understanding of the present situation, of its history and of what you aim to achieve, we will then negotiate together and plan therapeutic action, and allocate the therapist best suited to your needs.
Individual sessions normally last 50 minutes and family sessions 1 ½ hours. We offer a sliding scale for therapeutic support for those who have financial difficulties. Contact us to find out more.
Timings & Costs
There is a sliding scale.
Individual sessions normally last 50 minutes (£70) and family sessions 1½ hours (£120), depending on income.
We have some low-fee slots for those with financial difficulties. Contact us to find out more.
Who uses our services?
Our services are commissioned:
by statutory organisations, private and state schools, and non-profit organisations.
By individuals and families with children who are in distress or experience a variety of emotional, behavioural, trauma or personality issues. For self-referrals, please click here.
We offer counselling and therapy to people who present with trauma and a range of issues including, but not limited to:
Bereavement and loss; difficulties with the processing of separation and loss
Burnout and compassion fatigue
Emotional and mental health support for frontline services
Difficulty in relationships
Unhelpful patterns of behaviour
Anxiety
Concerns about mental health and well-being
Post-traumatic stress disorder and unrecognised 'invisible' trauma
Trauma stemming from past experiences
Substance abuse
Isolation
Bullying and other concerns of school
Under-achievement
A sense of futility and dissatisfaction with life
Self-harming behaviours
Trauma stemming from past or present experiences
Social difficulties, lack of confidence and self-esteem
'Stuckness'
Identity and gender issues
Sleep difficulties
Eating disorders
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Phobias
Early onset psychosis
Issues specific to adolescents and teenagers such as difficult transitions
Depression
Impediments to self-development
