Many years ago I had therapy to help me heal the wounds of an abusive relationship.
This experience not only led to me training as a therapist but also to be drawn to supporting those who have experienced emotional abuse and the trauma associated with it.
In almost 30 years of practice I have also helped people with anxiety, depression, burn out, spiritual abuse, single event and developmental trauma, bereavement, cancer diagnosis, menopause, relationship and work problems, stress and anger management.
I work with adults only and do not offer couples counselling.
After discovering Internal Family Systems in 2019 and immersing myself in the model, I have been an IFS therapist since 2021.
In IFS we talk about - and with - the different parts of you.
The parts that may feel disempowered or lack belonging. Or the parts that shame you.
It's this approach and style of therapy that allow my clients to experience lasting change.
Relationships can be triggering.
Especially if you have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma or dealt with someone with narcissistic tendencies.
There may be parts of you that are desperate for connection or reassurance.
There may be parts that feel scared or threatened.
If you're stressed and reactive, or make yourself small to fit in, or feel shame and you’re not sure why, you aren't alone.
I would gently remind you, that we sacrifice ourselves when we put ourselves last.
I give a voice to the different parts of you, so all of you can feel heard.
So you can start to heal.
An Overview of Internal Family Systems
I am for you if…
A parental relationship has left you feeling you don’t belong.
You are experiencing shame or a sense of displacement.
A close relationship has left you feeling you have no sense of who you are.
You find yourself in the presence of narcissistic people.
You are willing to not have all the answers straight away and to sit with that discomfort.
You are open to letting the therapy journey unfold over time.
I want you to know…
I will do all that I can to make you feel safe. I can’t guarantee it of course, but that is my priority.
I will offer you an appropriate level of challenge to make progress.
While we can achieve many results in a shorter term sense, when we take the pressure of a deadline away, we can achieve so much more and uncover deep lasting change.
I welcome and affirm diversity including all body sizes, abilities, races, sexualities, genders and religions. As a person and a therapist I strive to be actively anti racist, anti body shaming and to support and validate all sexual and gender identities.
'If you talk about something it gets it out and, like a wound getting the oxygen on it, helps it heal'
— STEPHEN FRY
Biography
Sasha and Dr Richard Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems
I began training in 1995 and since then have worked one-on-one and with groups in private practice in various settings including education, the NHS, charities, and blue-chip companies.
I work with many different issues, but have a particular interest in the dynamics of power and control and particularly how they manifest in personal relationships.
Since discovering Internal Family Systems therapy in 2020 I have immersed myself in the model. I love that IFS deconstructs the inherent power imbalance in the therapeutic relationship with its core belief that with the right conditions, we all have it within us to heal ourselves.
I also find the approach of creating a space in which all parts (including the ones that challenge us) are welcome and entitled to receiving loving energy is really effective in creating lasting positive change.
Training
IFS Level 1, 2, and 3 (working towards certification)
- IFS Institute
Introduction to IFS Therapy
- Richard Schwartz
IFS Somatics
- Susan McConnell
Attended the Action Trauma Summit 2024;
Including presentations by Dick Schwartz, Dan Siegel, Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Stephen Porges, Pat Ogden and many more trauma specialists.
Navigating Inner Conflicts - Polarizations in IFS
- Ann Sinko
Training on Unattached Burdens
- Robert Falconer
IFS Somatics Series
- Susan McConnell
Drawing into self – creative parts work
– Ruth Culver
The Survive Thrive Spiral
– Ruth Culver
Monthly Consultation
- Mariel Pastor, lead IFS institute trainer
Monthly IFS supervision & weekly IFS therapy with a Certified IFS Therapist
Bi monthly IFS practice group run by Certified IFS Therapist
Also monthly group IFS peer supervision and bi monthly IFS peer practice groups
Diploma in Person Centred Counselling (Metanoia Institute)
Foundation Course in Counselling and Psychotherapy
(Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education)
“Sasha has been a 'port in the storm' for me, over some very difficult years.
I have been able to work through life long patterns and make big changes in my life with the insights she has helped me to see, and frankly, the moral support.
Internal Family Systems is such a helpful tool, it lets me have affection for the different parts of me without feeling ashamed and trapped.
Sasha shows me unconditional positive regard. I have had some very dark times over the last couple of years and she sees the goodness and strength in me and reminds me of it, when I have completely lost sight of anything good in myself.
Honestly, she has stopped me from completely losing faith in other people.
I can process life differently now as it happens, in real time.
I am in a much stronger and more hopeful place”
— IFS THERAPY CLIENT
Make an enquiry.
If you have any questions about IFS therapy, or the process of getting started, fill in your details here and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.
I am registered with the ICO under the Data Protection Act 2018.
