Dr Shima Espahbodi
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Thanks for viewing my page, you can find more about me and my work on my site https://psychosoultherapy.com/. If you feel drawn to any part of my site or profile, please feel free to reach out with any questions. I tend to work intuitively with you to uncover, bring to awareness, and process whatever material has brought you here.
As an experienced integrative psychotherapist my practice has developed to include a broad range of clients from diverse backgrounds, ages, and cultures. I have over 20 years clinical experience gained working both as a clinical research scientist, academic, and psychotherapist in the NHS, academia and charity sectors combined. I have a compassionate nature and care deeply about helping people to heal from emotional/psychological pain and suffering.
Psychotherapy is regarded as a type of ‘talking therapy’ ~ however it is much more than that. It is a system within which a dynamic is formed between therapist and client which serves to catalyze the healing process. By working together we will be able to explore experiences, emotions, and thoughts that may be causing you difficulties/distress today. These may be related to the past, present, and/or concerns about the future.
My space is safe, non-judgmental and confidential, where you can share your material and feel heard, seen and accepted. Through the development of our therapeutic relationship, I will be able to facilitate your gaining insight, perspective and understanding. With this will come shifts in ones mental, emotional and physical energy, relief of distress and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Ultimately the work of therapy is to initiate the healing process of the self ~ the word ‘psychotherapy’ derives from ancient Greek where psyche=breath; soul; spirit and therapia=healing.
I am influenced by the work of Freud, Jung, Rogers, Laing, Buddhism, and Rumi amongst others.
“ I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Jung
“ The wound is the place where the Light enters you “ Rumi
List of peer-reviewed publications:
1. . Heading Frequency and Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Retired Male Professional Soccer Players. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(7):e2323822. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23822. Espahbodi S, Hogervorst E, Macnab TP, et al
2. Cognitive Impairment and Self-Reported Dementia in UK Retired Professional Soccer Players: A Cross Sectional Comparative Study. Sports Med Open. 2023 Jun 8;9(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00588-2. PMID: 37289312; PMCID: PMC10248966. Macnab TP, Espahbodi S, Hogervorst E, Thanoon A, Fernandes GS, Millar B, Duncan A, Goodwin M, Batt M, Fuller CW, Fuller G, Ferguson E, Bast T, Doherty M, Zhang W.
3. Foot and ankle Osteoarthritis and Cognitive impairment in retired UK Soccer players (FOCUS): protocol for a cross-sectional comparative study with general population controls. Espahbodi S, et al. BMJ Open 2022;12:e054371. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054371
4. Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections for Osteoarthritis. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies. Ayub S, Kaur J, Hui M, Espahbodi S, Hall M, Doherty M, Zhang W. Rheumatology. 2021. 60(4):1-11. DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa808
5. Fatigue Contributes to Work Productivity Impairment in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA): a Cross Sectional UK Study. Espahbodi S, Bassett P, Cavill C, Freeth M, Hole J, Sengupta R. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2017 Jul; 35(4) :571-578.
6. Colour Doppler Ultrasonography of Lumbar Artery Blood Flow in patients with Low Back Pain. Espahbodi S, Doré CJ, Humphries KN, Hughes SPF. Spine. 2013 Feb 15;38(4):E230-6. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31827ecd6e.
7. Preparing for the World of Work: An Exploratory Study of Disabled Students’ Experiences of Work Placement. Georgiou CE, Espahbodi S, De Souza LH. Journal of Education and Work. DOI:10.1080/13639080.2011.598143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2011.598143
8. Colour Doppler Ultrasound of the Lumbar Arteries: A Novel Application and Reproducibility Study in Healthy Subjects. Espahbodi S, Humphries KN, Doré CJ, McCarthy ID, Standfield NJ, Cosgrove DO, Hughes SPF. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 171 – 182, 2006.
9. Colour Doppler Ultrasound in the Assessment of Lumbar Spine Blood Flow in Patients with LBP. Espahbodi S, Humphries KN, Doré CJ, McCarthy ID, Standfield NJ, Cosgrove DO, Hughes SPF. J Bone Joint Surg Br Orthopaedic Proceedings, 2006 88-B: 305-306
10. Visualization of Solute Transport into and within Lumbar Intervertebral Disks Using Delayed High Dose Gadodiamide-Enhanced MR Imaging. Bydder GM, Herlihy AH, Espahbodi S, Oatridge A, Hajnal JV, McCarthy ID, Curati WL, Crock HV, Hughes SPF. ASNR Am S Neuroradiol 2001.
11. Impaired Blood Flow in Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. Espahbodi S, Humphries KN, McCarthy ID, Standfield NJ, Cosgrove DO, Hughes SPF. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Br) 2001; 83-B:SI
12. The Effect of Vascular Disease on Disc Degeneration: Preliminary Results. Espahbodi S, Humphries KN, Standfield, McCarthy ID , Cosgrove DO, Hughes SPF. European Spine Journal 1999; 8:SI:p23
Training, qualifications & experience
PhD: Imperial College London ~ Investigation of Lumbar Artery Haemodynamics in Patients with Low Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. 2005
MSc: Imperial College London ~ Medical Physics
BEng (Hons): Leeds University ~ Mechanical Engineering
Diploma in Trauma Therapy (COSRT accredited) ~ pending completion 2023
Diploma (CPCAB) accredited ~ Therapeutic Counselling 2012
Biodynamic Body Psychotherapy: Emotional Vasomotoric Cycle (LSBP), London June 2020
Biodynamic Massage Therapy. November 2021 (LSBP)
3 Core Principles of Biodynamic Psychotherapy (LSBP) June 2020
Touch - The language of the body. Aspects of a psychotherapeutic process (LSBP) June 2021
Trauma, Dissociation and Recovery: Healing the Brain-the neuroscience of trauma leading to complex PTSD and DID. Cert. (PODS), London 2016
Working with Relational Trauma: Early childhood trauma through the lens of Attachment Theory. Cert. (PODS), London 2015
Trauma and the Body: the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the body and physical health. Cert. (PODS), London 2014
Living and Working with Dissociation. Cert. (PODS), London 2013
Why do people self-harm? Cert. (SRF), London 2012
Domestic Violence: The impact on attachment relationships in families, Cert, (SRF), London 2011
Foundations in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Cert. (CPPE), London 1993
Good Clinical Practice, Oxford University 2012
Medical Statistics for STATA, MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London 2002
I have and continue to work with people who have experienced severe childhood trauma including sexual, physical and psychological abuse and neglect. The manifestation of such trauma may include self harm, suicidal ideation, mood swings, addictive behaviours, incarceration, isolation and many other experiences that can cause distress and suffering
I come from a clinical science background having worked in the NHS (London and Oxford's major teaching hospitals) with patients experiencing chronic pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and other associated psychological factors which can significantly reduce a person's quality life.
I work creatively and may depending on individual needs incorporate art and music into our therapeutic work together.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and abide by their code of ethical practice. As such my name is on the BACP Register for Counsellors and Psychotherapists .
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£125.00 - £200.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
* Unwaged clients negotiable depending on affordability and capacity.
For a limited number of clients in exceptional need I may be able to offer reduced fees. There may be a waiting list.
Each session = 60 minutes
When I work
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