Core Process Psychotherapy

I trained in Core Process Psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute in Dartmoor, Devon.

Core Process Psychotherapy (CPP) is an integrative, mindfulness-based psychotherapy.  It is fully accredited by the UKCP and run as a Masters Degree with Middlesex University. Core Process Psychotherapy combines the use of contemplative practises such as body-awareness with psychological studies of personality development.

The word "Core" refers to the natural health, joy and aliveness within us. And "Process" refers to the ways in which this has become obscured from our sense of self.

Healing difficult experiences

Rather than regressing to the past, Core Process Psychotherapy is about exploring our present experience of how we are. It looks at how our experiences have affected the development of our personalities and character formations, consciously and unconsciously. As some experience may have been positive and nourishing, other aspects might have been inhibiting, difficult or missing. Core Process Psychotherapy safely enquires into those difficult experiences and allows us to revisit them with awareness in a supportive and healing way. 

Working with habitual patterns and limitations

Repetitive patterns of behaviour that bring negative results can respond to the process of joint enquiry, identification and understanding.  Essentially we can learn about how we have needed to adapt or survive at different stages of our lives. Therefore we can be curious about our sometimes complex defences and strategies, and can examine their ongoing costs to our well-being.  

Welcoming all of us

Core Process Psychotherapy is an inclusive, non-pathologising exploration that holds equanimity and non-judgement as its cornerstone. However we are is welcome - the difficult, shamed, disorientated and unowned aspects - and our relationship to them. Fundamentally Core Process Psychotherapy works to heal the distress and move towards a sense of wholeness by integrating aspects that might have been neglected or wounded.

The therapeutic relationship

Studies have shown that the therapeutic relationship is a crucial, often primary predictor of positive outcomes in therapy. A safe, non-judgemental and reliable relationship is invaluable to allow you to bring what you need to into the space.

Sessions and what to expect

Psychotherapy is a joint endeavour, a reflective conversation exploring our inner and outer experience of our inner and outer lives and our relationships. 

Through weekly one-to-one sessions what you are bringing can be shared at your own pace, in your own way. I aim to listen in detail, engage interactively, support dependably, sometimes sensitively challenge, and share with you in a way that aids your deepening insight, reflection and healing.

I pay close attention to how you are and how our relationship feels. It might reflect themes, experiences and issues in your life. Our time together is often spent sitting, talking and listening. We may also (with mutual consent) work with the breath and body, with imagery, music, dreams, role- plays, art, movement or in any particular way that you find effective.

What can psychotherapy help with?

I am experienced in helping people who have had difficulties with:

• Feelings of despair and emptiness

• Shame and fear of disconnection

• Abandonment and separation issues

• Allowing grief

• Improving assertion and having a healthy relationship to anger

• Transitional times of life

• Numbness, disconnection and dissociation

• Fears of engulfment or invasion

• Family dynamics and issues

• Workplace issues

• Addictions and dependency

• Sexual issues

• Welcoming joy

• Effects of physical, emotional and sexual abuse