philosophy

Emma is passionate about supporting individuals experiencing challenges such as anxiety and stress, body and weight dissatisfaction, depression and low self-esteem, eating issues, trauma, mind-body disconnect, relationship problems & the complex interplay between these. She views these challenges as not just symptoms to be managed but also, as a calling for deeper healing. It is this that often guides Emma’s work as a psychologist, yoga and psychotherapist.

Also guiding Emma’s work are the beliefs that:

• our human system is always striving for wholeness & health, as well as authentic expression

• each of us have the capacity and wisdom within to heal and become the best version of ourselves, living our best lives

• the body is a valuable source of information, wisdom and healing

• various factors can be a barrier to accessing our internal healing wisdom, including our un/conscious ways of coping, cultural context, attachment style, relationships with self and others, mind chatter, trauma history, hectic lifestyle and more

• the ‘right’ environment and relationship/s can help us overcome these barriers, resolve underlying issues, heal hurts and ultimately, cultivate more sustainable health, well-being and happiness

• therapeutic approaches that integrate the body & emotions, not just the mind, are some of the most powerful, as are those that acknowledge the ways we disconnect or distance ourselves from them

psychology / psychotherapy

Emma is trained in therapies such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (including Enhanced), Cognitive Processing Therapy, Emotion-focused Therapy, Intuitive Eating, Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Somatic and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Depending on your therapeutic goals, Emma may draw upon these or her most preferred approach - Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP).

Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) nicely aligns with Emma’s therapeutic philosophy by emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic relationship and focusing on deep emotional and experiential exploration. This approach brings the body, it’s physical sensations & wisdom into the room and is aimed at resolving underlying psychological issues, healing wounds from the past and overall, cultivating more sustainable health, well-being and happiness. This approach can at times be challenging and longer-term, but lasting.

book your first appointment →

Your first appointment is a vital step on your journey to well-being and is longer (75 mins) than any subsequent (50 mins). In this extended session, Emma is dedicated to deeply understanding you and your unique concerns & needs. Together, you will then work to identify your therapeutic goals and create a roadmap for your journey together - treatment approach, frequency of sessions, likely length of therapy and so on.

This first appointment also offers you the space to decide if you and Emma are a good fit. A large part of your progress depends on whether you feel you are.