About Andy
Therapist. Coach. EMDR Therapist.
A down-to-earth approach to real change.
I’m Andy, an integrative psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and qualified coach.
I work with adults who may be struggling with something from the past, facing a difficult period in the present, or simply feeling that something in their life needs to change.
My approach combines understanding and compassion with honesty, challenge and practical steps forward. Because sometimes we need space to understand what we've been through — and sometimes we need help deciding what we're going to do next.
MY APPROACH
I don't believe there is one way of doing therapy that works for everyone.
Some people need space to talk and make sense of what has happened. Others feel stuck in patterns they understand perfectly well but still can't seem to change. Sometimes the work involves processing difficult experiences from the past. At other times, it's much more about what's happening now and what needs to change next.
That's why I work integratively.
I draw on person- centred therapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, somatic approaches and coaching. I adapt our work to your needs, rather than expecting you to fit a particular model.
I'm warm and supportive, but I'm also fairly direct. I won't sit silently and simply nod for an hour. I'll listen, ask questions, offer different perspectives and, when I think it might be useful, challenge you.
There will also be room for humour. Therapy can involve difficult subjects, but I don't believe every minute of it has to feel heavy.
Most importantly, I see therapy as something we do together. My role is to help you understand yourself more clearly and work through the obstacles you face. Together, we’ll build the confidence and practical skills you need to make meaningful changes.
WHAT HAS SHAPED MY APPROACH
My route into psychotherapy actually began with coaching.
I initially trained as a life coach because I was interested in what helps people make changes, overcome obstacles and create more fulfilling lives. Through that work, I became increasingly aware that moving forward isn't always as simple as setting goals or finding more motivation.
Sometimes there are deeper experiences, beliefs and emotional patterns that need to be understood and worked through first. That led me to train as an integrative psychotherapist and later in EMDR.
Having experience in both therapy and coaching has shaped the way I work today. I don't see understanding the past and building the future as competing ideas. Often, they're different parts of the same process.
Outside the therapy room, physical and mental challenge has also played an important part in my life. I'm an endurance runner, and it has taught me that resilience isn't simply about being tough or forcing yourself to keep going.
Sometimes resilience means pushing on. Sometimes it means adapting. And sometimes it means recognising that the plan isn't working and having the courage to change it.
Life can be much the same. We can't always control what happens to us, but we can work on how we understand it, how we respond to it and what we choose to build afterwards.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
-
BACP Accredited Psychotherapist
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy
-
EMDR Therapist (training accredited by EMDR Europe)
-
Practitioner’s Diploma in Life Coaching
-
Practitioner's Diploma in Mindfulness
-
Diploma in Addictions - Substance and Behavioural
-
ACT Essentials
-
DBT Essentials
-
Diploma in Executive Coaching
-
McKenzie Friend Practitioner training
With over 8 years' experience working with adults, my work includes supporting people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD/CPTSD, low self-esteem, addiction, difficult past experiences, life transitions, issues around meaning and purpose, and those who simply feel stuck or want something in their life to change.
I undertake ongoing professional development, clinical supervision and further training as part of my practice.
Send me a message to tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
You might know precisely what you'd like help with, or you might simply know that something isn't right.
Send me a message with a little about what's going on and what you're looking for. I can let you know whether I think I'm the right person to help — and if I'm not, I'll be straightforward about that too.