Both Psychotherapy and Yoga acknowledge the mind-body connection, the importance of self-awareness and the psychotherapeutic value of being in the present moment. Using the body, breath and mind to find stability (sthira) and ease (sukha) as part of talking therapy provides an opportunity to increase self awareness, either soothe or energise and access emotions. Additionally, it offers clients a chance to learn and develop their own psychotherapeutic practice and set of tools to support emotional regulation and relaxation which can be utilised long after therapy has ended. There is no need to have practiced yoga before or be flexible, the elements of yoga we will draw on in sessions such as breathwork, gentle movement and the guiding principles of yogic philosophy can be practiced by anyone, anywhere at any time.
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Integrative Yoga Psychotherapy offers clients an opportunity to experience the benefits of the emotional regulation, self-awareness and physical benefits of yoga in combination with the healing, growth and change that comes through traditional psychotherapy. Sessions bring together both disciplines in a way that is tailored to each individual. Scroll down to the next section to learn more, see how a session might look or find out about the growing body of evidence that supports this approach.
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A post graduate qualification in Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy and additional training in child and adult protection, loss, suicide and self-harm.
Experience of offering short- and long-term psychotherapeutic counselling to a diverse range of adults, specialist work with 18-25-year-olds, and as an initial assessment counsellor within Edinburgh counselling services.
Foundational training with Yoga Scotland, a 200hr Yoga Alliance accredited YTT Diploma and a 60hr immersion in Trauma Informed Yoga.
As a facilitator of Trauma responsive training within the NHS, I bring the core principles of this approach to all of my areas of work.
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Sessions are 60 minutes and take place in my calm and peaceful space in Portobello, Edinburgh. In some instances I can work online.
There is no need to have practiced yoga before and there will be no challenging postures - but wearing loose comfortable clothing will help you get the most from the sessions. Like traditional therapy, we might work together short or long term. Sessions are £60 and I have a limited number of concessionary spaces.
I offer a free 30 minute face to face appointment or 15-30 minute initial call so that you can get a sense of the way in which I work, ask any questions you might have and for us to explore how we might best work together.
Sessions are tailored to you as the client, and no two sessions will look the same. However in each 60 minute appointment we will work in a trauma informed way to access elements of traditional yoga alongside a humanistic approach to psychotherapy.
There is no need for you to have practiced yoga before and we can work from the chair rather than a mat if this suits feels more comfortable for you. Together we will work to incorporate elements of traditional yoga into our session such as:
Simple asana (postures or “seats”) with or without movement - these might be to encourage relaxation or to facilitate the release of tension or emotional stress.
Pranayama (breathing) -each technique has its own benefits and effect on the mind and body and can be a useful tool for you to utilise outside of sessions and after we have ended together.
Yoga Nidra/meditation – sessions might include a short meditation, relaxation or yoga nidra (deep rest or yogic sleep) which can be effective in settling the mind and body, or supporting you to increase awareness and access what is happening internally for you.
Yoga Philosophy - Yoga can be a way of life, and goes far beyond what we do with the body or the breath. The Vedic texts provide insight into achieving a balanced state of physical, mental, and emotional health, so we might access some elements of yogic philospophy - which integrates and aligns well with humanistic psychotherapy - during our sessions.
Any physical movement, breathing practices or anything I else I might suggest or offer in a session are always an invitation and a choice, and your physical, emotional and psychological safety are my key priority.
More details on my approach to counselling and psychotherapy here.