Professional background
I came to therapy by way of the arts. I am a registered psychotherapist (MBACP), with 15 years of experience in the healing arts (biodyanmic cranial sacral therapy, yoga, nutrition) and somatic psychotherapy.
I trained in Clinical and Somatic Psychotherapy in California at one of the first masters level programs in the country offering somatic specialisation within the Marriage and Family therapist M.A. and graduated in 2019.
In my career as a therapist I have worked with a varied demographic in private practice as well as a facilitator and consultant for centres (Red Horse, YMCA, Eka Yoga); clinics (Khiron Trauma Treatment Centre / Sancturay Psychiatric Health); schools (Downsview Special Needs School); domestic violence and addiction and trauma treatment recovery centres. I also trained as a cranial sacral therapist within this time, to offer somatic work in a different way.
Yoga, Equine Facilitated Therapy and Somatic Psychotherapy and the Creative Arts; and the philosophies that these systems originate from; form a set of practices that I am very grateful to keep on both practicing, learning from and sharing with others in one to one, group and corporate settings.
How I work
I offer short and long term therapy. I work in a culturally sensitive way, drawing from the modalities of Somatic psychotherapy; Psychoeducation, Ecopsychology, Trauma informed stabilisation, parts and integration work (including IFS work) and (for in person clients) Equine Facilitated Therapy. Each idividual’s psyches grow within family, community, culture. I believe therapy is intrinsically linked to environmental and social justice. Factors like systemic abuse, racism, sexism, etc not only shape individual experiences but also influence societal dynamics. Acknowledging how these forms of discrimination affect mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being is critical in our therapeutic practice. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. On an individual level, it is important to explore how clients experience and perceive racism and sexism in their lives. By creating a safe and supportive environment, therapists can help clients process their feelings, develop coping strategies, and empower them to take action against these injustices where possible. On a broader scale, therapists must also engage in discussions about societal structures and cultural narratives that perpetuate discrimination. This involves advocating for social justice, promoting awareness, and working towards systemic change. By understanding the intersectionality of these issues, therapists can better support their clients and contribute to a more equitable society. Addressing racism and sexism is not just an ethical responsibility; it is crucial for fostering holistic healing and promoting a healthier, more inclusive community. By integrating these discussions into therapy, we can help clients navigate their personal experiences while also challenging the larger societal issues at play.
Some of my areas of Expertise:
Stress, anxiety and depression
Eating disorders and body dysmorphia
Grief and Loss
Chronic health challenges
Codependency
Low self esteem
Women’s issues
CPTSD and PTSD
Limerence and Love/Sex (including porn) addictions
Substance and process addictions
Dissociative Identity disorder and cluster B traits
Facing end of life
Expat and immigrant experience
Spiritual loss of faith/directon
Qualifications
Soloution Focussed Therapy Certification
LEAP Equine Facilitated Therapy Practitioner -LEAP, UK
Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist – The Colorado School of Energy Studies, Boulder, CO.
M.A. Clinical Psychology, MFT. Emphasis:Somatic Psychology – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles campus.
Dance Movement Therapy Foundation – Goldsmiths University, London
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies:Visual, Performing & Traditional Eastern Arts – Naropa University, Boulder, CO.
Hatha Yoga Instructor. Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Certification, Austria.
I have also done continued proffesional developement and trainings in various modalities including:
Trauma Informed Stabilistaion and Parts work and IFS; Nutrition for mental health; Gestalt; Hakomi; Brainspotting; Dance movement therapy and trauma informed yoga; Somatic experiencing and sensorimotor psychotherapy foundations; Soloution focussed therapy Applied polyvagal theory (including administration of the SSP Protocol).
Contact details : 07.45.41.54.43 / full.bloom.therapy.biarritz@gmail.com
Contact details : 07.45.41.54.43 / full.bloom.therapy.biarritz@gmail.com