Lisa Stimpson

I offer a free initial 30 minute telephone consultation to explore whether therapy is for you, or to discuss details of a programme of nature-based anxiety & wellbeing groups. 

Hello and thank you for looking at my page. 

As well as a general introduction, my page consists of 3 sections relating to:

- Individual psychotherapy

- Couples counselling

- Nature-based workshops focusing on anxiety & wellbeing

Please scroll to the relevant area. 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

I am a UKCP accredited psychotherapist, a couples counsellor, EMDR practitioner, mindfulness coach and group facilitator.

I have over 20 years experience working in counselling clinics and in private practice with adults, adolescents and couples.  I offer both short-term focused work and longer-term deep psychotherapy.  I specialise in anxiety & panic attacks, trauma, depression and self esteem. 

MY APPROACH

I provide a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for you to express and explore whatever you are struggling with.  My friendly and relaxed environment is a place you can be listened to and supported to learn a range of valuable skills for dealing with difficult thoughts, emotions and behaviour patterns.    My personal style as a therapist is to be interactive; In sessions, I teach how the brain and nervous system work and how to apply tools and practices to help you make the changes you need for greater confidence, self awareness and self acceptance.  

Developments in brain science are exciting and positive: Our brains CAN be rewired from negativity loops to balance and resilience.

PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS

How I Work

a) Understanding Our Different Parts and Our Thinking Patterns

It is common to think we are "one personality".  In fact, we have many different parts - parts that developed in early life in response to certain life experiences.  It can be illuminating to become conscious of how each part influences our life.  Common ones are the "self critic" and a part that feels "not good enough" and these often play a significant role in keeping us feeling insecure and not fulfilling our potential.

I use this example: our whole self is like a bus, with lots of different passengers (our different parts) and with one passenger driving the bus (taking the lead) at a time. Different triggers and a different passenger takes over the driving seat.

Have you ever noticed that a different part of you has “taken over” in certain circumstances? Once we are aware of what is happening or who our various “passengers” are, we have CHOICE as to whether to let that particular “passenger” take the wheel!

Underneath all of the parts is another aspect of you that holds all of the wisdom, confidence and kindness needed to solve your problems and anchor you in self esteem.  Therapy can help you to connect with this healthy, compassionate aspect of yourself.

b) Releasing Painful Feelings.  Trying to escape emotional pain (through addictions or distractions or repression) actually keeps it alive in you. Drawing on Compassion Focused Therapy, I offer techniques that help you to connect with the feelings with gentleness which allows the body to dissolve them.

c) Creating A Meaningful Life.  As you step away from a sense of limitation, you can turn your attention to some crucial questions. What do you want your life to be about? What is important to you? What are your values? How do you really want to relate to the world around you? What gives your life purpose?  These more existential and spiritual aspects of the work can be deeply satisfying, creative and expansive.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing)

Most people have experienced trauma (anything that was overwhelming) at some point in their lives.  EMDR is a quick and effective non-talking method of desensitising traumatic memories.   

EMDR therapy can be used to treat a wide range of emotional and psychological issues, including:    Anxiety and panic attacks *  Depression * Phobias * Childhood trauma * Addiction * Chronic pain * Self-esteem issues * Relationship issues

EMDR replicates REM sleep and serves to "deactivate" emotions that still have an emotional charge.  The therapy is based on the principle that the brain has a natural ability to heal itself and that when we experience traumatic events, the natural healing process can become disrupted. EMDR therapy helps to reprocess these traumatic memories and restore the brain's natural healing process, leading to lasting relief from symptoms.

COUPLES COUNSELLING

You may be experiencing ongoing conflict in your relationship, a breakdown in communication, a breach of trust, or just a slow decline in your sense of intimacy.

It is important to understand what is driving the conflicts in your relationship.  In relationships we all long to feel that our partner is really there for us, to have our backs, support us and be available for us when we need them.  This is what we as humans are hardwired to need.  When it is not there we feel anger, stress, hurt and disconnection.  Often our attempts to address this come in the form of attack or criticism which only fuels the disconnection.

In couples therapy we explore how our history and relationship experiences are impacting our partnerships in the present.  Being in a relationship can reactivate old wounds from childhood and often we are influenced by the relationship dynamics we witnessed in our parents.

We also have differences in our values or ways of communicating which can drive rifts between us. When we try to communicate about our needs but end up feeling misunderstood.  A vital aspect of couples therapy is learning how to listen to our partner.

My role is to mediate and bring clarity and openness to help you develop a deep understanding of each other and explore how to communicate in a more effective way.

2023 SPRING & SUMMER PROGRAMME OF NATURE-BASED WORKSHOPS Run by Natureways-Therapy (a CIC of which I am a co-founder, director & facilitator)

1) Releaf: Understanding & Alleviating Anxiety (series of 4 workshops)

Set in a beautiful woodland, seated around a central fire, Re:leaf is a series of Monday morning workshops combining the healing benefits of being in nature,  mindfulness,  brain education, therapeutic support .  Participants will learn simple brain hacks, learn how to create a sense of safety & take away a toolkit of strategies on how to master anxiety.

Dates: Spring Course: Mondays Apr 17, Apr 24, May 1, May 8
Summer Course: Mondays Jun 12, Jun 19, Jun 26, July 3
Time 9.30am – 12 Noon
Location: Twyford Farm, Twyford Lane, RH17 7DJ
Cost: By donation.

2) Wild Minds Together: Reducing Anxiety with a parent & Child Woodland Experience

For children: Learn about anxiety & survival systems through woodland games; boost confidence & resilience; build a toolkit of strategies for dealing with anxiety

For parents/carers: Support group to learn about anxiety and how to help your child.   

Shared woodland activities with parents/carers & child to build connection

Course dates: Saturday May 13th and May 20th
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Location: Twyford Farm, Twyford Lane, RH17 7DJ
Cost £280 per child and parent/carer.
2 complementary/low cost places available

ECO-THERAPY & MINDFULNESS - "WALK & TALK" IN NATURE

Many of us are over-worked, over-loaded and over-stimulated.  Being in nature offers a soothing, calming, re-balancing backdrop for you to explore your challenges and release difficult emotions.  Nature can become a 3rd party in your process towards growth and there is no easier place in my opinion to become practiced in the art of mindfulness.

I offer sessions lasting 90 minutes in the forest which can be a combination of 'walk & talk' or finding 'sit spots'.

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I hope this has given you the information you need.  Thanks again for reading my page and I am happy to have a no-obligation chat with you to discuss how I can help.

I wish you all the best for your well-being and growth.

Lisa

Individual Counselling

60 minute session:  £90

Extended sessions also available on request

Couples Counselling

One hour session: £90

75 minutes: £110

I have a number of reduced cost sessions