Our Services

Talking Therapy

Somatic Trauma Therapy

EMDR Psychotherapy

Somatic Trauma Therapy is a safe and effective approach to healing trauma involving management of the nervous system responses, practical techniques to manage symptoms and gentle, timely processing of events.

EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and re-processing)is a transformative, highly effective psychotherapy available for processing traumas and distressing events/memories. Number of sessions varies depending on number of target memories and speed of processing.

Sessions can be carried out effectively online/in person

About Me

Hi there, thanks for visiting my site. I am an experienced NHS trained therapist and a mother to two lovely bundles of joy, based near the South Downs in Sussex. I have a background in Human Biology and I hold an MSc in Psychology. I offer face to face and online sessions to adult individuals and young people aged 12 and upwards both online and from my comfortable office. I originally trained as an integrative therapist, in Person Centered, Pyschodynamic and Cognitive modalities but I have acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience over the last 8 years in the areas of trauma/somatic trauma therapy, mindfulness, EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and re-processing) and Internal Family Systems, to name a few.

I have had the honour of working for different charities and services: Rape and Sexual Assault Charity (RASAC, Guildford), Catalyst Drug and Alcohol Service (Surrey), Youth Counselling Service (on behalf of Virgin Care/NHS), Phoenix Project Homelessness project (Worthing) and The Eaves Psychological Therapies Clinic in Guildford.

You'll experience a warm, non-judgemental, steady presence when working with me. I work in a collaborative way with my clients and always strive to establish an authentic, nurturing relationship with my clients in which they feel held, understood and valued.

"The treatment modality is only 15% of the therapy. 85% is the relationship you develop together" ~ Peter Levine

Why choose me...?

Qualifications & Experience

MSc Psychology

BSc (Hons) Human Biology with Psychology

Dip Integrative Counselling (NHS, post graduate level)

EMDR (EMDR Europe approved)

Fully accredited BACP Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP Accred)

Trained in: Adult individual therapy | therapy for young people 12-24 y/o | Rape, Sexual assault & Trauma | Addictions counselling |Integrative Clinical Hypnotherapy

Introduction to working online (covid-19 telehealth course: Kate Anthony)

EMDR Introduction Training: Jennifer Sweeton 2021

EMDR (EMDR Europe Accredited training)2024: Simon Proudlock, EMDR Consultancy

Clinical Trauma Professional Training course + trauma masterclass

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Masterclass- Working with complex trauma & PTSD (Dick Schwartz)

Somatic Experiencing Masterclass (Peter Levine): Working with Trauma & the Body

Experience helping adults recover from narcissistic/unloving/enmeshed parenting

Experience helping people recover from narcissistic abuse

Experience working with those interested in 'Nonduality'/'seekers'

Somatic Trauma Therapy with leading trauma expert Babette Rothschild

What Can EMDR Help With...?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can benefit a wide range of individuals dealing with various psychological and emotional issues. People with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) often find relief through EMDR, as it helps to reduce symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and intense distress when reminded of the trauma. Survivors of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse may also benefit, experiencing improvements in self-esteem, trust issues, anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness.

Those who have endured natural disasters might find EMDR helpful in managing fear, anxiety, grief, concentration difficulties, and emotional overwhelm. Accident victims can see reductions in flashbacks, anxiety related to similar situations, unexplained physical pain, avoidance behaviors, and depression. Veterans and active military personnel dealing with combat-related PTSD often experience fewer flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability, and emotional detachment.

First responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, who frequently encounter traumatic events, may benefit from EMDR by reducing flashbacks, chronic stress, sleep disturbances, emotional burnout, and mood swings. Individuals with phobias and anxiety disorders can use EMDR to manage intense fear, panic attacks, physical symptoms like sweating and trembling, constant worry, and difficulty concentrating.

People struggling with depression might find EMDR useful in alleviating persistent sadness, hopelessness, lack of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Those with chronic pain can also benefit from EMDR as it addresses persistent pain, emotional distress, anxiety about pain worsening, sleep issues, and social withdrawal. Additionally, children and adolescents who have experienced trauma can see improvements in behavioral issues, anxiety, concentration difficulties, nightmares, and emotional outbursts.

Beyond treating trauma, EMDR can be used to enhance self-esteem, improve performance in sports and academics, develop coping skills and resilience, foster better relationships, manage stress, and unlock creativity. This broad applicability makes EMDR a versatile and effective therapeutic approach for many individuals.

How Does it Work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) works by helping people process and heal from traumatic experiences. During a session, the person thinks about a distressing memory while focusing on a specific type of back-and-forth movement, usually following the therapist’s finger with their eyes. This bilateral stimulation can also be done with sounds or taps.

The process helps the brain reprocess the traumatic memory in a way that reduces its emotional impact. Over time, the memory becomes less disturbing, and the negative feelings associated with it are replaced with more positive thoughts and emotions. Essentially, EMDR helps the brain work through the trauma, allowing the person to heal and move forward.

EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. Research indicates that approximately 77-90% of individuals with PTSD show significant improvement after three to six EMDR sessions . Within the NHS, EMDR is endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an evidence-based practice for treating PTSD , reflecting its efficacy and the robust clinical evidence supporting its use. Studies have consistently shown EMDR's effectiveness, with many patients experiencing considerable reductions in trauma symptoms and improved overall mental health .

fMRI studies provide robust evidence that EMDR can lead to significant changes in brain function, particularly in areas involved in fear processing, emotional regulation, and memory. These neural changes align with clinical improvements observed in PTSD symptoms, underscoring EMDR's effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for trauma.

"Presence, the ability to remain centered and resonate in a primitive way with your clients"

- Peter Levine

"With...the tools you have supplied me with...I feel in a much better place thanks to you and all your help. I can't thank you enough Zara" ~ S.S

"Thanks to Zara I have managed to heal my wounds of a very abusive relationship"

- Christine

’I'm much more sure of myself and I feel able to take control of my thoughts instead of letting them control me"

~ B.W

Contact us to begin your healing journey

Psychotherapy is a transformative, life changing & highly cost effective investment

Call, email or use the contact form below to enquire and book a free 15 minute initial phone/online consultation.

I am currently offering face to face and online sessions Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday:

RATES: Talking Therapy (£60 per 50 minute session) EMDR available online (£75 per hour session) or in person (£80 per hour long session)

Cancellation policy: If you cancel a session within 24 hours of the scheduled session, for any reason, the full session fee will be charged.

If you are in crisis please attend A&E or phone the Samaritans: 116 123