At Systemisk Psychology we are interested in how our social systems and environments influence us. Our compassionate and engaging approaches to supporting wellbeing start with understanding how connected we feel to the world and others as the core to our growth. Connection to a safe world allows anyone to shift from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving.’
I’m Nina, founder and Clinical Director of Systemisk Psychology. I am a BPS Chartered Psychologist, HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist and NHS Consultant Psychologist. I am trained in a range of different therapy approaches to provide an integrative approach to psychological care and wellbeing. I am passionate about holistic approaches to compassionate living, which includes strengthening our connections to each other and to our environment. I am also a mum of three, therefore understand only too well the need to invest in our own, and our family’s wellbeing.
Systemisk Psychology offers a variety of therapeutic approaches, provided by Psychologists, tailored towards the client’s needs. They also accommodate the client’s interests to support a sense of safety and motivation to engage. ‘Traditional’ therapy is offered, including CBT, EMDR, CFT, and ACT, amongst others. In addition to the more traditional, ‘come sit on my couch’ approach to therapy, we also offer other active and engaging ways of accessing therapeutic support including, ecotherapy and animal assisted therapy.
Ecotherapy is a therapeutic approach that involves doing outdoor activities in nature. The focus is on doing the activity, rather than on the therapy. By the primary focus being the task, and secondary focus being the wellbeing work, the process is experienced as less threatening and intense than more traditional therapeutic approaches. This supports an individual’s experience of exploring and appreciating the natural world. By focusing on an external sense of safety and security, and environmental gratitude, the external flow of compassion is fostered. Over time, the experience of caring for and looking after the ‘world’ around (the green environment in which we are engaging with), we build skills for compassion that can then be reflected inward, towards the self. Systemisk has use of their own private, secure woodland, so you can be safe in the knowledge that this space is protected, and you won’t be interrupted (by humans anyway!), during your dedicated therapeutic time with nature.
Animal assisted therapy is a complimentary therapy form that includes the use of animals in treatment. The focus is to improve a client’s social, emotional and psychological connectivity; enhancing and supporting the connectedness that they have with themselves, the world and others. There are known physiological benefits to integrating animals into a wellness approach, such as positively impacting on blood pressure and levelling of stress hormones. The main function of the animals’ presence is to sooth and offer comfort. Many mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, are due to an imbalance in the emotion systems. Often this results in our soothing system, or ‘rest and digest’ setting, being switched off or dominated by other systems. The presence of an animal, and the action of stroking that animal, engages with the soothing system, fostering a ‘safer’ internal state for the client to engage with the courageous task of turning towards their distress through the therapy process. On the whole, the goal of animal assisted therapy is to help people to cope with some of the difficult emotions that may be present for them right now, and to ensure an element of pleasure, even playfulness, within sessions from being around animals. This approach can be particularly helpful when working with children and young people. (The welfare of our animals is paramount, and their use within any therapeutic process is always routinely assessed by our dedicated animal welfare consultant).
All our approaches involve interacting with and influencing change in key systems impacting wellbeing. With young people, this often means connecting with school to support the educational systems understanding of how to get the best out of their students. This usually only takes some small adjustments. If your child is having difficulties in a school context, let us help them, you and school work out the reasons why and what small changes, could make a big difference!
We offer therapy and wellness activities for all ages – either short or longer term pieces of work. We understand that the hardest part is often reaching out, or knowing what help you need. We offer a free 20 minute, no obligation consultation to support you, and reassure you, that reaching out and asking for help is the most courageous thing you could do. Visit our contact page.
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We look forward to welcoming you with warmth and compassion.
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