Experienced Therapeutic Support for Life’s Challenges

Parks Inner Child Therapy (PICT)

Parks Inner Child Therapy (PICT) is a powerful and versatile visualisation-based therapy which brings together a number of different therapeutic approaches to help to create rapid and positive change.

Although originally created to specifically help people recover from the trauma and damage related to sexual, physical and emotional abuse during childhood, it is equally effective for a wide range of emotional problems. Eating disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), self- harm, ritual abuse, anxiety or depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), irrational fears, working with abusers, grief and loss issues (including murder, suicide, abortion, miscarriage, still birth, loss of job, material things or pets) are all helped through the PICT approach. PICT therapists also have the skills to assist with Critical Incident Debriefing (the witnessing or experiencing of highly traumatic events, such as vehicle crashes, bombings etc).

The most significant feature of PICT is that it can bring change about gently because there is no need to disclose any details of what happened in the past. The effects of the trauma are addressed rather than the detail, which allows clients to maintain their privacy and dignity, whilst working quickly and effectively to create beneficial and lasting change.

Through PICT we can see that sometimes the beliefs about ourselves that we learn in childhood hold us back in later life and, even if we are not aware that they are there, they continue to play in the back of our mind giving us unhelpful messages; ‘I am not good enough’ and ‘I am unlovable’ being the two most familiar examples.

PICT works on the premise that the ‘inner child’ (the part of our unconscious mind where the memories & beliefs of childhood reside) who holds the original beliefs, can be communicated with and the limiting beliefs can be changed. It may be assumed that this would happen automatically as we become adults, but we do not always know that these beliefs exist and so PICT uses the ‘today’ adult conscious mind to communicate with the inner child from the past and change the thoughts that are holding us back.

At the conclusion of PICT therapy clients regularly report feeling a sense of completion, a new sense of understanding of how and why they had their problems and a feeling that they now have all the puzzle pieces of their lives back together. This sense of inner harmony generally prompts clients to feel they are able to successfully deal with any new challenges life may bring because they are no longer hindered by problems or traumas from the past.

How PICT differs from other approaches

PICT has a flexible structure – a beginning point, middle and end, as well as providing clear measurable results. PICT can easily, quickly and gently deal with even the most traumatic experiences because there is no need to reveal painful details. PICT is designed to obtain thorough understanding and resolution of trauma/problems, rather than leaving gaps that can bring the same problems back to the surface later on. It is designed to work fast whilst still creating deep and lasting change – what would generally take six months to a year using most therapeutic models, can be cleared in 5 to 12 sessions using PICT. Consequently, PICT greatly reduces waiting lists, ends the ‘revolving door’ syndrome and creates gentle, lasting resolution, rather than only offering ‘support’.

PICT was devised over 30 years ago but continues to remain at the cutting edge of the resolution of trauma, childhood abuse & emotional challenges. The rapidity of its effectiveness has been enhanced by the introduction of the PICT Quick Change model, devised originally to cater for clients from overseas; where resolution may be completed in a series of 5 consecutive days of 4 hour sessions. (The QC 4 hour sessions can also be offered in 2 or 3 day weekly formats).

As well as being an experienced PICT Practitioner and a Specialist in childhood sexual abuse issues, I am also a PICT Supervisor and Trainer, which means I guide and educate other PICT Practitioners in their work.

www.ppfoundation.org

EMDR

EMDR is a method that accelerates the processing of traumatic, frozen memories and resolves fixed behavioural patterns. Clients often report spontaneous insights into themselves, which are linked to the traumatic memories, which empower them to comprehend new feelings, thoughts and actions.

After only a few sessions, EMDR causes noticeable changes with regards to cognition, emotions and body experience. It can be used as a standalone therapy or alongside other established therapeutic approaches.

Successful EMDR treatment lowers emotional distress, reformulates negative self-beliefs and cognitions and lowers the level of psychological agitation through reducing nervous system arousal.

During EMDR treatment the client repeatedly focusses for short periods of time, simultaneously on traumatic material as well as on an external stimulus, for example bilateral eye movement led by the therapist.

EMDR influences the neural pathways in the brain. Through bilateral stimulation both brain hemispheres are activated and synchronised in relation to a traumatic event.

Scientific studies have repeatedly confirmed the high level of efficacy and lasting results of this therapeutic approach. Since 2006 the effectiveness of EMDR in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has received worldwide recognition. Originally developed and tested for the processing of traumatic experiences in war veterans, its various applications have since become much more diverse.

EMDR is an effective therapeutic for:

Lifespan Integration

Lifespan Integration was created by Peggy Pace from her personal findings that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was not terribly effective for her clients. She was looking for a way to heal historic childhood trauma following the then new beliefs that trauma was held in the body-mind and that the different parts of ourselves needed to be integrated as a whole in order to create healing.

There is plenty of science around this approach but the interesting aspect for me, as a Trauma Informed Therapist, is that it sits very neatly alongside PICT and EMDR as an effective way to heal trauma that is trapped in the body and in our younger selves.

From a client’s perspective, it is an approach that does not require any prolonged delving into the past in order to heal painful memories. A timeline is created with the therapist that spans from the time you are born up until the present day and, by reading out these memory cues repeatedly, the brain assimilates the painful episodes in with everything else that creates your story, helping clients to conclude that they are safe in the here and now, and that what happened is over.

I know that it sounds hard to belief but, as with all of my therapies, I have experienced this as a client and can tell you personally that it works – I wouldn’t work with it if I didn’t feel that. I found that it was really helpful for me to go through my life without dwelling on painful events or having to discuss them, and that it brought to the surface not only things that I had forgotten, but also new ways of looking at those things that I had felt were problematic.

During the initial sessions we will talk a little about the things that are affecting you and that have their roots in your past. This gives me an idea of how best to help you so that I am not inadvertantly creating any upset – everyone works at a different pace and, as with all of my work, I want to get it right for you. We will create your timeline of memory cues, something from each year (it is easier than it sounds!) and that will provide the framework for the work. I will then select cues at intervals and read these to you, one by one but without getting stuck in those painful times, so that your brain can begin to create new pathways that will lead you to feelings of safety. In this way, the system can find healing and integration.

This is an ideal approach for anyone who has past events that they wish to heal and that they do not want to discuss at length. It works in a way that that is powerful but gentle, and easier to experience than to explain.

For more in-depth information on Lifespan Integration, the history and science behind it please visit www.lifespanintegration.com

‘I was apprehensive about doing additional therapy, as I have been using mental health services for a very long time. However, the work that I have been doing using Lifespan integration, EMDR and inner child work has been life-changing.
The ability to reframe the most painful events has been transformative for me, and has given me the opportunity to leave those things in the past, so I can focus more on the things in my life currently.
I would highly recommend anyone to do the work, it is gentle on my nervous system and has helped massively with my trauma.’

Comments from a client – January 2026

About Nicky

I am an experienced Trauma Informed Therapist and Counsellor, and a specialist in child abuse issues, with my own private practice in Leicester. I am a Therapist for Better Help; an online therapeutic organisation with clients around the world, and as a Counsellor for two local Cancer charities (details below). I am also a Counsellor with Six MHA (The Six Collective); an organisation set up by former footballer, Tony Adams, to provide support through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP).

I combine my knowledge of several different therapeutic disciplines to blend a unique approach for each individual; working together with clients to help them to move towards what they wish to achieve; developing greater understanding of themselves and what has been holding them back.

Prior to starting any therapy work I like to have a brief chat with new clients, either over the phone or in person, to find out what they are looking for and where they want to get to on their therapeutic journey. I will then make some suggestions based on my experience as to how I think their particular issue can be approached and, together, we create a positive way forward. Whatever the issue, the benefit of being able to draw on a range of different therapies is that, each time I work with a client, I offer an individual fit for what they need rather than trying to fit them into a particular therapeutic approach.

Training, qualifications & experience

Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma – I achieved my Practitioners Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy several years ago, through Mindworks in Nottingham, and have used my skills to successfully help clients in managing a wide variety of personal difficulties including anxiety, lack of confidence, irrational fears, inability to relax and travel sickness, to name a few.

Registered Bach flower Remedy Practitioner – One of the first therapeutic qualifications I gained and still one of my favourites. I trained with Tessa Jordon in Suffolk. Bach flower Remedies are a lovely gentle approach to use with clients who are nervous of the therapeutic process, and are particularly effective with children.

Master Practitioner in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) - My EFT training was begun at Mindworks but completed to Master Practitioner level through THE AMT. I work using a more modern style of EFT developed by Silvia Hartmann, a pioneer in the area of Energy Psychology who went on to create ‘Positive EFT.’

Therapeutic Support tailored to fit around you

Let’s begin your journey..

I am based in the Western Park/Danehills area of Leicester.

To get in touch or to make an appointment please call: 07544765091 or complete the contact form below.

Sessions are available during daytimes, evenings and weekends.

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Bach Flower Remedies

Bach Flower Remedies were developed by Dr. Edward Bach (pronounced Batch), a Harley Street GP, in the 1930s, when he realised that many of the problems that his patients were suffering from had their roots in emotional rather than physical issues.

Through trial and error he created what is now an established homeopathic approach that works gently to bring negative emotions back into balance, helping clients to feel much more positive about life and to move on from upsetting episodes.

The remedies are safe and easy to use, in line with his initial aim that they remain a complete self-help approach. They have no side effects or contra-indications with other medication and are suitable for any age group, from babies to the elderly. They are also effective for animals which can be a great help around Bonfire Night or times of change.

I have found that the remedies can be very helpful for children and vulnerable adults, gently bringing troubling emotions back into balance and helping them to make sense of what is going on around them. This can be particularly helpful during the troubling times of adolescence when everything can seem huge and impossible to sort, emotions change almost without warning and friends, who are normally supportive, are struggling themselves.

There are 38 different remedies representing the different negative states of mind identified by Dr. Bach, for example; there are remedies for confidence issues, life changes, fear and anxiety, shyness, constant worrying, feeling guilty… and also the Rescue Remedy; a combination that helps to calm the nerves at times of panic such as job interviews and trips to the dentist.

The Consultation Process

The remedies were designed to be a self-help approach and, in line with that, I work with clients to create an individualised selection based on what they need at that time. It is common for clients to initially want to select all 38 but with the limit being 6 per bottle, we work together to establish which ones are most needed.

When working with children, I have a set of helpful cards, created by a Bach Practitioner in Belgium, which can guide them when making their selection by presenting the likely behaviours behind our emotions in a way that is familiar to them.

The remedies are generally taken orally four times a day, either straight on to the tongue or in a drink. It is not possible to overdose on them but taking them at the suggested dosage means that the bottle should last three to four weeks.

*Please be aware that the remedies are preserved using alcohol. This is not however in sufficient quantities to be a concern unless alcohol needs to be avoided for religion or lifestyle reasons.

For further information on the Bach Flower Remedies or to find out more about Dr. Bach, please visit the Bach Foundation website, established to promote his original thinking and way of producing the remedies:

Bach Centre

Person-Centred Counselling

Person-Centred Counselling is a therapeutic approach which was developed by Carl Rogers, an American psychologist, in the 1950s. He felt that the client is always the expert on themselves and therefore needs to be at the heart of the therapeutic process instead of being told what to do by a well meaning professional. This means that the sessions are ‘client led’ rather than determined by the therapist.

He believed that everyone has their own resources to draw upon when given the right conditions to do so. Those conditions are met by the creation of a calm and non-judgemental therapeutic space where clients can be encouraged to explore their own issues while the therapist ‘walks’ alongside them offering empathy and reflection. In time, this will help them to untangle all that is going on and to see the next step that they need to take. It is not the job of a therapist to instruct a client how best to live their life but rather to facilitate them in finding their own path.

Through helping clients to discover their own inner resources they are empowered to do so again when future events occur in their lives which they may find challenging.

Counselling can be long or short term in nature; determined by each client and their needs. It is suitable for a wide range of issues.

Sessions are normally held on a weekly basis although this is not suitable for everyone for reasons of time or finances. Weekly sessions are however generally considered best, if deep rooted issues are being worked through, to ensure that the client feels well supported throughout this process.

All counselling sessions are carried out in line with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) guidelines which are available on request.

EFT

EFT is a simple but effective therapy which helps to release emotional blockages trapped in the body’s energy system that are created by negative experiences.

Through gently tapping or applying slight pressure to a selection of acupuncture points, while slowing the body down through deep breathing, anxiety can be reduced and greater clarity of problematic issues can be achieved, helping you to see the way forward.

‘Tapping,’ as it is sometimes called, is easy to learn and quick to use, making it a readily accessible self-help tool that can be applied to a wide range of issues:

During a consultation I work with you to break down and create greater understanding of the emotional issues that are causing problems, showing you how to apply EFT techniques yourself to help to bring back a state of balance. Once learnt, you will have a useful therapeutic tool that you will be able to utilise again and again for your own wellbeing.

EFT has been used for a number of years in the USA, helping veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is now gaining in popularity in this country as awareness of its therapeutic potential increases and is gradually being incorporated into NHS practices across the country. EFT has no side effects and is suitable for all ages.

* the emotional aspect of physical pain can be helped and it is strongly advisable to consult your GP for any issue which may be medical in nature.

Positive EFT

As the heading suggests, this is a way of using EFT to bring about more positive emotions; helping to give the day a lift and to increase feelings of self-confidence, energy and well-being.Again, through tapping on specific acupuncture points while focusing on how you want to feel, you can begin to feel more in control of your emotions and can get the day off to a much better start.This is a particularly useful approach to use with children as it empowers them to take control of how they wish to feel. In these times of increasing childhood stress, having something literally at your fingertips that can help to reduce anxiety and to boost positivity is so important and, for me, helping children to find a way to help themselves, that they can access throughout their lives is one of the things that gets me up in the morning.So how good can you feel today….?

Animal Healing using Energy Techniques

This is not a replacement for veterinary care, however it does have a very special place as a complementary therapy.

We all have an energy body, a spiritual part of ourselves; that makes us the individuals we are. Animals are no different and, like us, can be affected on an emotional and spiritual level by all sorts of things; changes in their environment, moving house, loss of those around them, physical illness, being mistreated or being accidentally injured….all occurrences that can lower their resilience.

‘Energy body problems, if left untreated, will cause behaviour problems and health problems’.

For animals and people alike. Our energy needs to flow in a steady and healthy way so that we may experience peace, balance and harmony within ourselves. As a healer I use my senses and my intuition to tune in on these unhelpful blockages and then work with the animal, either in situ or from a distance, to help to restore them to emotional health and vitality.

Always consult a vet if you feel that your animal is ill, as you would call your GP for yourself. However, if you or your animal are suffering emotionally or spiritually, contact me for a no obligation chat.

Sample Contract For Energist’s Services

I, the undersigned, agree to secure the services of Nicky Carling for the purposes of energy healing at £60 per hour, sessions to be mutually agreed upon before commencement.

I agree to pay Nicky in full before commencement of each session.

I understand that by consulting an energist, we will be dealing with energy body related problems and solutions exclusively.

I understand that no physical healing is promised and there is no claim of cure for any form of diagnosed illness in any way.

I understand that there will be no physical or material diagnosis, nor prescription of physical or material remedies. All our work together will be strictly energetic and energy body centred.

I understand that the treatment of the energy body has varying effects in individual cases, and we cannot predict the effect of any energy treatment, nor what side effects will emerge.

I fully understand that I am responsible for my animal’s physical, mental and energetic well being, and will consult with the appropriate professionals as and when this becomes necessary.

I have read and understood the terms of this consent form, and I am happy to go ahead and discover more about the causes and effects of energy interventions with the help of my practitioner.

Signed……………………………………. Date…………………………………

Tuning Fork Therapy

Tuning fork therapy blends ancient sound practices with modern understandings of how vibration affects the body. When activated, a tuning fork produces a stable frequency that travels through air and tissue. These vibrations can interact with the nervous system, which is highly responsive to sound and rhythmic stimulation.

Research into sound‑based therapies is still emerging, but several scientific principles help explain why people often feel calmer and more balanced after a session:

Most importantly, tuning fork therapy is a complementary wellness practice. Its primary strength lies in promoting relaxation, grounding the mind, and creating a sense of internal coherence—conditions that naturally support the body’s own healing processes.For many people, the combination of soothing sound, focused intention, and vibrational resonance makes tuning forks a simple yet powerful addition to their wellbeing routine.A session lasts between 30-45 minutes, during which time We will work on the Chakras and clear energy blockages. Focus will then change to specific areas of concern as appropriate.Please note that Tuning Fork Therapy is not suitable for clients with a pacemaker or during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Let’s make sense of things together

Warm Guidance for Personal Growth

My aim is to provide empathetic counselling and trauma therapy. I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where you can heal and thrive; a space where you can explore what has been holding you back and where you can begin to rediscover yourself. There may be some tears but I promise you that we shall have some laughs along the way too.

My view has always been that life is to be enjoyed as much as possible but we all know that there can be ups and downs and on occasions we need a little help. Sometimes lifestyle changes are enough to get us back on track but if the anxiety or trauma is too great then getting professional help can be the best and most expedient way back to a sense of health and wellbeing.

I am a Specialist Trauma Therapist and Counsellor and I am experienced in providing mental health support for anxiety and confidence issues, changing behaviours, and problems stemming from unresolved childhood experiences, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. I help clients to understand how they feel as they do and assist them in moving forward with resilience.

All of the therapies that I work with have a strong element of empowerment; through working together you will learn how you can help yourself in the future and will find your own belief in your ability to do so. Together we look at the problems, untangle them and begin to move you forward on your journey.

Some of the approaches I use may seem a little different whilst others seem very logical. I have seen all of them work effectively, otherwise I wouldn’t use them. That said, many clients have a preference for how they would like to proceed and what approaches they feel comfortable with. This is why we work together to create change and why I have a very broad range of approaches to draw upon; I can fit the therapeutic process around each individual, rather than trying to shoehorn them into one or two interventions.

All of the therapies are complementary and should not replace medical advice or treatment. Please visit your GP if you think that something may be medically wrong.

Therapy face-to-face, online or on the move!

I have my own private therapy space but for those of you that don’t like the idea of sitting and talking, or who prefer to be moving around, how about a session of therapy on the move?

I am lucky enough to be near Western Park in Leicester, which is just five minutes walk away. As a local council facility, it provides an easy strolling area with good pathways. There are slight gradients in some areas but nothing too taxing. If you are someone who likes to take a walk around a park, why not combine this with therapy and watch nature work its magic whilst you work through your issues.

Online therapy was very effective throughout the pandemic and is a way of accessing therapy that I continue to offer, helping to make therapy available to as many people as possible through WhatsApp, Google Meet or Zoom. This means that I can work with clients around the world, either privately or through Better Help.

www.betterhelp.com

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is essentially a state of deep relaxation where the conscious, controlling mind takes a back seat, allowing for the subconscious mind to take the lead and be more receptive to accepting new and positive, maybe even life-changing, ideas.

Hypnotherapy can be very effective for the following:

During a session of hypnotherapy you will firstly be encouraged to relax by listening to a gentle slow paced invitation to switch off your conscious mind and let all of your daily worries drift away, a bit like a guided meditation. This will then be followed by the positive suggestion part of the therapy which supports the changes that you wish to make in your life, in line with what we will have already discussed. The session finishes with a ‘wake-up’ which sets you back on course for continuing with your day.

Unlike stage hypnotism, you are in full control throughout the session and will probably remain aware of what is going on around you. You are not ‘knocked out’ but will hopefully be relaxed enough to take the time you need to absorb all the new and positive ideas that are available to you.

You can never be made to say or do anything that you do not want to and if I, or anyone else, were to make suggestions that you did not morally approve of, you would simply disregard them. You will never give away any secrets or be made to act in a ridiculous way. You are always in control but at the same time, you are also very deeply relaxed.

I offer a free thirty minute consultation, in person or by phone, during which we will look together at what you want to change in order to help you to improve your life, and we then decide together how we are going to do that. You will always be treated as an individual and the approach that I use will be tailored to suit your needs and issues.

Whilst Hypnotherapy is very effective, it is not magic. It can support and encourage you to make changes in your life by giving you a positive internal script. It can relax you and help you to build your confidence but, as with all personal development, your effort is also required; you need to want to make the changes and to put your heart into it. I would love to be able to wave a magic wand to right all that is wrong but that does not look likely anytime soon…unfortunately!

*Please note that a deposit is needed to secure the session. This is to reflect the time spent preparing a specific approach for each client.

Reflections from a client:

I found Nicky on hypnotherapy directory as I was struggling with direction in life and also felt as if I had a few mental demons that needed sorted out and were holding me back in life. I talked to a few other therapists over the phone as well, but Nicky was the quickest to reply….. so I decided I would stick with her and see how it goes. I must say I am extremely pleased with how things turned out.

Nicky first of all is a lovely women, and I found it very easy to talk and open up to her about all the things on my mind. She was very professional during our sessions, yet still very personable, and I could tell early on she knew what she was doing so I felt reassured that I wasn’t wasting my time. During the first session I mostly talked whilst Nicky paid close attention, making notes, and by the end she made some very acute observations which really penetrated the surface and struck me on a deeper level. In the second session we talked some more before proceeding onto some visualisation exercises, which were incredibly powerful and revealing to me, and finally we commenced hypnotherapy. Nicky had prepared this beautiful and personally tailored script (which she later sent to me as part of the session – amazing!) which she read out whilst I entered this semi-conscious state. It was an incredible experience and clearly worked as afterwords I felt incredible. I will be continuing to listen to the recording daily for a long time to come.

Can’t thank her or recommend her enough.

(August 2018)

Remember your Healing Journey

An individual work of art

Mayflower Therapies are proud to be associated with talented Scottish Artist, Elle Carling @celticoathingstones Etsy shop

Many clients find the tactile nature of stones helpful to hold and to reflect on the healing journey that they have completed. It takes courage to look at the damage of the past and the timelessness of a stone, particularly one that has been beautifully decorated, can be a connection to the work that has been undertaken and the courage that has been found within.

I have known Elle for a number of years and I love looking at the beauty, quality and exquisite detail that is lovingly put into each of these handheld works of art. The earthy quality of a simple stone combined with the skill of the artist, creating each stone as a unique piece, is a theme that weaves through the process of therapy for me.

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Discover Our Therapy Stones

Each stone symbolizes healing, growth, and emotional resilience, serving as a meaningful reminder of your therapy journey with Mayflower Therapies.

Healing Stone

A carefully chosen stone representing recovery and personal strength.

Growth Stone

Symbolizes your ongoing progress and emotional development.

Resilience Stone

A tangible reminder of overcoming challenges and trauma.

Session Charges

Hypnotherapy

£60 per hourly session.

Price includes a recording for further use at home where appropriate.Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

£60 per hourly session.

All clients leave the session knowing how to use this effective tool for themselves.Distance Animal Healing using Energy Techniques

£60 per hour divided into 6 x 10 minute healing sessions.Bach Flower Remedies

£60 per hourly session.

Price includes a bottle of the remedies individualised to your needs.

£5 Replacement bottle – each bottle lasts for 3-4 weeks.Person-Centred Counselling

£60 per hourly session

Sessions are normally weekly or fortnightlyParks Inner Child Therapy (PICT)

£60 per hour, £90 per hour and a half. £120 per two hour session

Clients are seen at intervals to suit their circumstances – monthly sessions are just as effective as weekly.EMDR

£60 per hour

Clients are taught some resourcing techniques so that they can carry on helping themselves after the session.Lifespan integration

£60 per hour

I work in a blended way, combining all the therapies that I am proficient in, to create the best individualised ‘fit’ for each client. I do not charge individually for each therapy so, where more than one approach is used in a session the price will be at £60 per hour. Please ask if you need further clarification.Therapy sessions on the move (where appropriate)

£60 per hourly session

Clients must be able to vouch for their own ability to walk around the local area.

I am unable to take personal responsibility for this.Tuning Fork Therapy

£30 per session (usually 30-45 minutes) Contraindications – pacemaker or first trimester of pregnancy.Please expect to pay the full cost of the session at the time of booking or at least 24 hours prior to the session time. This is particularly necessary for Hypnotherapy sessions as much of the work is carried out prior to the appointment.

Payment can be made by cash, bank transfer or Revolut payment link (particularly useful for International payments).

Full payment is required for cancellations within 24 hours of the session time.

Thoughts and Musings

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my blog and information page. I would very much appreciate your thoughts on my interpretation of things if you get a minute to message me..

Thoughts and Musings:

New Year thought

Just a thought that I wanted to share going into the new year; there is a lot of research out there now which is looking at the impact of stress on our physical body. This is particularly relevant in terms of illness. Please check out books by Gabor Mate and Dr. David Hamilton for more information on this. Knowledge is power and this is as good a time as any to take control of our own physical and emotional health.

Have a lovely happy and healthy New Year x

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Are you missing a trick?
Over the last few months I have begun to notice an interesting theme emerging. This is something which costs little and can promise much, and a skill that we can all learn to harness for our own success and wellbeing; it is the power of our own mind.During a break in test match coverage this summer there was a short programme that asked three of our top cricketers how they prepared on the night before a test match began; what did they do once all the training and physio had been completed in order to prepare themselves for the coming few days. The answer was music to the ears of a mind therapist such as myself because that’s exactly where they put their energies; into strengthening the mind which they did in a number of ways, all familiar within my practice. They visualised success, mentally rolling through the play and seeing themselves in action achieving great things. They worked on the internal voice, keeping it positive and supportive, not letting even a sliver of self-doubt insert itself and begin to undermine them. These little negative voices are very much the mainstay of the work I do with clients and they can appear when we least expect them. A memory of something that someone once said, criticising or doubting our ability, maybe years ago but just waiting in a dark corner of the mind to make its presence felt when it has the potential to create mayhem. The good news is that they can be got rid of very easily once they have been identified and strong visualisation techniques can be put in place to reverse any effect that they may have had.But the mind does not stop there; the placebo effect has been maligned for a long time although I have never had an issue with it – if I think something is doing me good and I feel better then job done as far as I’m concerned, particularly if it does not involve chemicals and their side effects. Science has now got to the point where the placebo effect can be measured and once again the mind can be seen to produce amazing effects particularly in handling pain and depression. That is not all however, in fact the possibilities can be as creative as we can be ourselves and evidence to support this is now filtering through. Two excellent sources for information on this are Dr. Michael Moseley (BBC) and Dr. David Hamilton (Hay House Publishers).So the next time you feel tempted to just do the body work, as important as that is, don’t stop there. Your mind is where some real magic can happen so why not learn how to utilise it?For more information on anything mentioned above please contact me x

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It’s that time of year again….!Yep, here we are again and, if you are like me and haven’t quite got used to summer yet, you may be wondering how the hell we got here so fast!The snowy weather over the last couple of days has given me time to get organised for the coming festivities but also time to think. As a therapist I am quite used to working with those who are anxious about Christmas for a number of reasons; they may have lost someone without whom, Christmas just becomes a time of pain and sadness. There is the added expense as well as all the extra stuff to do. Throwing everyone together and expecting them to be happy can be stressful (and nigh on impossible sometimes) and our expectations can be higher than may be realistic – it is, after all, a day much like any other and, if you struggle to be in the same room with someone before the barbs start flying for the rest of the year, it may be a stretch to think that Christmas day is going to be any different! The weather can also create problems, and we have all that to deal with before we even get to January and the rest of the Winter without anything to look forward to, even if we could afford to do it!That all sounds bleak but it doesn’t need to be. Some things are admittedly beyond our control but, if we set our stall out accordingly this can be a really useful and enjoyable time or, at the very least, a time when we can achieve something. Many, many years ago when we used to hibernate pretty much, the time would be spent mending tools, resting, telling stories…. and if you think about it the time we have now can be used in a similar way. We can take time to plan, to reassess, to read or look into something that may be beneficial to us, or that can just move life along a little bit. We can allow ourselves to rest so that when the Spring arrives we are ready to get out there and live it to the full. How often during the year do we hear ourselves say something along the lines of ‘I would do that/read that/look into that/ watch that if only I had the time’ so really, if we think of this time as a gift rather than an endurance we can really make the most of it.So how else can you help yourself? SAD lights can be really useful if you find that your mood drops during this time of year. I will be fine until February but then I will really have to dig deep to find my resolve so a SAD light is very beneficial for me, particularly at that time. The ones that come on gradually may be a better bet than the old one that I have got which I’m sure can be seen from space and elicits several expletives when it is turned on! Be kind to yourself in this regard 🙂Bach Flower Remedies can also help: Mustard for the gloomy feeling that you can’t shake off, Hornbeam for the feelings of lethargy that can be more prevalent at this time of year, Sweet Chestnut for the despair felt because of the loss of loved ones and also Star of Bethlehem for shock, grief or loss. Agrimony for when you feel you need to keep smiling and therefore mask your real feelings, Centaury for when you struggle to say no to the growing demands on your time over the festive period and, not to forget Impatiens to help you to keep hold of your patience around your ‘nearest and dearest’!Emotional Freedom Techniques can also be really helpful to handle any spiralling emotions but remember as well that, sometimes just to stop and take a moment to breathe can be all that’s needed because that can be the first thing we forget to do at busy and stressful times.So take a minute now to breathe, to stop and breathe, and then carry on with your day with renewed calmness. And if you need a little bit of hope, take yourself outside and just have a look at all the new shoots that are beginning to show themselves….Spring is just around the corner.Have a wonderful time this Christmas and please get in touch if I can help therapeuticallyNicky xPlease check out this short clip created by Bristol University students – my nephew, Spencer, is one of them. I think it’s very powerful and would love to know what you think…

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