The pathless path

My career path hasn’t been linear. I’ve been on a “pathless path” for a while. I studied English Literature, taught English in Asia, worked in content marketing, and navigated corporate roles. Along the way, I felt lost. Studying psychotherapy while working full-time helped me reconnect with my purpose: guiding burnt-out professionals to restore balance and mind-body connection.

Motherhood

In 2022, as I trained as an integrative therapist and hypnotherapist, I also found out I was pregnant. Excited but anxious, I wondered: What kind of mother would I be? Would I pass on my fears and insecurities? Studying therapy made me realise I didn’t want to pass on my stress, anxiety and low moods to my son. I wanted to be present (not preoccupied) with him. I started intentionally redesigning my life, quitting my stressful job, moving to the countryside, and giving and receiving therapy. I still struggle with work-life balance and keeping calm in the chaos but a simpler life keeps me grounded and grateful.

Forget perfection

I used to think ticking off every to-do would bring fulfilment, but the goalpost kept shifting. At 38, I still don’t have it all together, but my new motto is “done is better than perfect.”

Life is continually unfolding and there is no linear path. We often think “If I achieve this goal, then I can relax” but the day never comes. Nowadays I’m more excited to create a soul-centred life —letting go of perfectionism and waiting for permission.

I’ve begun to listen to my body more, resting when I need to and intuitively asking what’s the next best step (rather than pressurising myself to do more). Mindful productivity is about staying present and aware of our feelings and thoughts while working so that we can start to enjoy the process. There will always be stressful times but focusing on what’s important, simplifies our lives.

Integrative psychotherapy

Get to the root cause of your mental health issue. Work on anxious and depressive thoughts with compassion.

Hypnotherapy

Unblock resistance and release bad habits, addictions, anxiety, and phobias.

How can holistic and somatic (mind-body-centred) therapy help me?

Online integrative psychotherapy and hypnotherapy for anxiety, depression, phobias and ADHD

Integrative psychotherapy lets you gain clarity and go from overwhelmed to empowered

Hypnotherapy helps you break free from bad habits, phobias and addictions by opening up new possibilities

  • Expertise

    I’ve guided adults with various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, ADHD (and other neurodiversity issues), maternal mental health, grief and loss etc.

    I use a somatic (mind-body) approach, using embodiment practices such as breathing, visualisation and hypnosis.

  • Qualifications

    Psychology Master of Science (MSc), BPP, London

    Hypnotherapy Diploma (DHP Acc. Hyp)

    Mental health integrative psychotherapy training (120 hours+), NCHP, London

    Certified Life Coach (ICF ACSTH Professional Coach) Modality: Mindful empowerment coaching

  • Approach

    Integrative therapy combines tailored approaches to healing, often using somatic tools (mindfulness, breathwork, and movement) to release stress and trauma stored in the body.

    Hypnotherapy blends hypnosis (focused attention) with talk therapy to uncover the root cause of fears, bad habits and addictions.

  • Memberships

    British Psychological Society (GMBPsS -Graduate Membership)

    Registered Hypnotherapist with the General Hypnotherapist Register (GHR)

Anxiety & Despression

  • Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that includes worried thoughts, tension and racing thoughts. Anxiety is a future-oriented condition, often thinking of the worst-case scenario and negative thoughts.

    9 Types of anxiety disorders:

    1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

    2. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

    3. Panic Disorder

    4. Phobias

    5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)

    6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    7. Health Anxiety

    8. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

    9. Perinatal anxiety/ OCD

  • Bipolar includes intense and extreme emotions, mood swings, depression, and manic episodes (elevated moods that last at least a week and impair daily functioning). Since emotions are extreme, some may engage in suicidal ideation.

  • Depression is extreme sadness or despair that lasts more than days. Symptoms can include pain, weight loss or gain, sleep and focus issues, feelings of worthlessness, shame and guilt, suicidal ideation, and lack of energy.

    People with depression may also experience an inability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

    Depression is the most common mental disorder. Fortunately, depression is treatable via a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication.

    Types of depression


    1. Major depression

    2. Melancholia

    3. Psychotic Depression

    4. Perinatal depression

    5. Dysthymic disorder

    6. Bipolar disorder

    7. Cyclothymic disorder

    8. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

  • Motherhood mental health includes perinatal depression (low mood during pregnancy or after childbirth -usually up to 1 year after birth) and Postpartum depression (depression after childbirth).

    Perinatal depression is more than the 'baby blues.' It includes feelings of extreme sadness, indifference and/or anxiety, as well as changes in energy, sleep, and appetite.

    Giving birth is a challenging time for mothers since they experience biological, emotional, financial, and social changes. Depending on support and mental health issues, some individuals are at more risk of depression and anxiety.

Addictions & Attention

  • A psychological state of dependence on drugs and other substances (such as alcohol), activities or behaviours.

    The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance use disorder or substance dependence and can be applied to non-substance-related behavioral addictions, such as sex, exercise, and gambling.

    Examples of addiction:

    Alcohol addiction

    Cigarette addiction

    Drug Addiction

    Emotional relationships addiction

    Gambling addiction

    Sex addiction

    Shopping addiction

    Technology addiction

    Work addiction

  • ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a behavioural condition that makes focusing on daily tasks difficult.

    People with ADHD typically have trouble getting organized, staying focused, making realistic plans, and thinking before acting. They may be fidgety, noisy, and unable to adapt to changing situations.

    Children with ADHD can be defiant, socially inept, or aggressive.

    Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.

  • Chronic procrastination is the practice of consistently avoiding or putting off finishing tasks or responsibilities, even when doing so can result in negative outcomes.

    While chronic procrastination isn't a disorder, it can be associated with mental health conditions. Many adults who struggle with procrastination may also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and stress.

    Procrastinators may also suffer from poor sleep, get less exercise, increased loneliness and have financial issues.

    attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with procrastination.

    Research has found that procrastination is linked to mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Procrastinators have worse sleep quality, get less physical exercise, experience greater loneliness, and increased financial problems.3

  • Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can severely impact physical health, emotional well-being, and daily life. Due to their physical symptoms, they can lead to serious medical complications and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

    Types of Eating Disorders recognised by the DSM-5:

    Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    BED is the most common eating disorder, marked by repeated episodes of consuming large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control. It often affects individuals of larger body sizes, with weight stigma complicating diagnosis and treatment.

    Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    Bulimia involves binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or laxative use, to offset calorie intake.

    Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    Anorexia is characterised by food restriction, low body weight, fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. It can occur in individuals of any body size, despite misconceptions.

    Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    OSFED includes eating issues that cause distress and impairment but don’t meet the exact criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or BED. OSFED can be equally severe and often includes subclinical eating disorders.

    Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
    ARFID involves restricted food intake without body image concerns, leading to failure to meet nutritional or energy needs. It is more severe than picky eating and often impacts growth and health.

    Orthorexia Nervosa
    Though not officially recognized in the DSM-5, orthorexia involves an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating, focusing on food quality rather than quantity, often leading to further heal and social issues.

  • Phobias involve having a constant fear of a specific object, activity or situation. The fear is usually excessive and unreasonable and is triggered by the presence or anticipation of the feared object or situation, which is either avoided or endured with marked anxiety or distress.

    Examples of phobias:

    Childbirth

    Confined spaces

    Driving

    Heights

    Making mistakes

    Public speaking

    Social crowds

  • Burnout is a syndrome from chronic workplace stress, and is not classified as a medical condition.

    There are three components: exhaustion, negativity towards one's job, and reduced professional efficiency.

    The word was first used in this sense in 1975 by U.S. psychologist Herbert J. Freudenberger (1926–1999) in referring to workers in clinics with heavy caseloads. Burnout is most often observed in professionals who work in service-oriented vocations (e.g., social workers, teachers, correctional officers) and experience chronic high levels of stress.

    Anger and Stress Management includes learning strategies to cope more effectively with both anger and stress. This can include mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), somatic (mind-body) practices, and healthy coping skills.

  • Narcissistic abuse is a form of abuse from narcissistic behaviors. It can be emotional, psychological, or physical. Narcissistic characteristics can include volatile behaviour, lack of empathy, and aggression. Narcissistic abuse may include gaslighting, constant criticism, humiliation, and coercion.

    Signs of narcissistic abuse:


    Gaslighting:     denying an event that happened, questioning someone's memory, belittling others.

    Dishonesty: lying to cover up insecurity.

    Controlling: controlling another's actions, finances, interactions because they are insecure and jealous.

    Exploitation: exploiting others.

    Lack of empathy: do not relate to others.

    Belittling or devaluing: the abuser may insult, humiliate, degrade, or belittle others.

    Intimidation: aggressive, intimidating, bullying or manipulative behaviour.

    Volatile behaviour: aggressive and abusive to others.

    Rage: having rage attacks.

    Emotional blackmail: an abuser may threaten to harm themselves or others if you leave.

    Punishing: seeking revenge or punishment on others.

  • PTSD is a disorder that results from experiencing a traumatic event, and feeling fear, terror, or helplessness.

    The symptoms are characterized by (a) reexperiencing the trauma in painful recollections, flashbacks, or recurrent dreams or nightmares; (b) avoidance of activities or places that recall the traumatic event, as well as diminished responsiveness (emotional anesthesia or numbing), with disinterest in significant activities and with feelings of detachment and estrangement from others; and (c) chronic physiological arousal, leading to such symptoms as an exaggerated startle response, disturbed sleep, difficulty in concentrating or remembering, and guilt about surviving the trauma when others did not (see survivor guilt).

    Subtypes are chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and delayed posttraumatic stress disorder. When the symptoms do not last longer than 4 weeks, a diagnosis of acute stress disorder is given instead (APA, 2023).

  • Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.

    While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives (APA, 2024).

    Trauma examples:

    Emotional or physical abuse
    Generational family trauma

    Natural disasters

    Religious abuse

    Sudden death

    Sexual abuse

Stress & Anger