Steffi Bednarek

I have been working as a Psychotherapist since 2004. I have specialist training in trauma therapy and work with complex trauma as well as depression, anxiety, bereavement and somatic issues. I am particularly interested in threshold moments, where things feel like they can't go on in the same way, whilst a new way has not yet emerged.

You can get a small sense of me by watching a short video on my website

www.psychotherapyinbrighton.com

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• I am a Gestalt Psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor with senior accredited status. I worked for the NHS, including the Department of Psychiatry where I also provided Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.

• As Head of Service, I have clinically, operationally and strategically managed psychotherapy and mental health services.

• In my work as a trainer and visiting lecturer,  I have worked for Universities, national and local Governments, the Council of Europe as well as for industry, NGOs and international help organisations.

• As a writer I have published nationally and internationally on mental health issues, leadership issues and on wider socio political issues that affect our wellbeing. I have been interviewed for a documentary by the BBC as well as the Huffington Post and regularly speak at conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

2021 Internal Family Systems Training

2018 Healing the fragmented selves of trauma survivors (Janina Fisher)

2013-2014 Working with complex personality disorders

2012-2013 - Post graduate certificate in leadership and management

2012-2013 - Somatic Trauma Therapy Training (Babette Rothchild - Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre)

2010 - Object Relational Gestalt Therapy training (Gilles Delisle)

2007 - Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre)

2002-2006 - Post graduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy (Sherwood Psychotherapy Institute)

1999 - Therapeutic Interventions with survivors of domestic violence (Ginette Larouche - Minsitry of Families Luxembourg)

1998-1999   - Post Graduate Certificate in Bereavement Counselling (European Institute of Grief Studies)

1998-1999 - M.A. in Psychology and Social Policy (University of Trier)

1994- 1997 - B.A. Psychology and Social Policy (University of Trier and University of Stirling)

In addition to that I have attended numerous short courses and training events on an ongoing basis since 1999

I am registered with Bupa, Aviva and other insurance companies.


H O W   I   C A N   H E L P   Y O U

I support clients to contain the troubling situation they are in so that the impact it may have on their life and their relationships is not spiralling out of control. We work together to identify what is needed to bring movement into a seemingly stuck situation and to find a way of integrating new behaviours into a more conscious and choiceful way of being. I believe that it is by connecting with our own potential and our inner resources that we heal, grow and expand.

Together, we explore current patterns and how they impact on your life and your relationships. Once you have become more fully aware of them and understand how you may actively maintain them, you can start experimenting with change. In the safety of the therapeutic relationship you may be willing to take the risk to express yourself more fully and feel yourself expand. From that place of awareness you can experiment with different behaviour. At that point you may see real change in your relationships and your environment and I will support you in finding a way to integrate this new way of being into your life.

I have witnessed many times what a profound difference this way of working can make to peoples' lives. That is why I am deeply passionate about my work.


O N   A   M O R E   P E R S O N A L   N O T E:

I was born in Germany, grew up in Luxembourg and have lived in the UK for over 16 years. I love to write, hike and kayak. I have a big interest in art, contemporary dance, performance and devised theatre. I spend a lot of time in nature and am currently learning about the medicinal properties of local plants.

I have a special interest in self-compassion and mindfulness and incorporate these approaches into my work. For more information on this please click here: http://www.self-compassion.org

Another area of special interest and experience is working with parents of children of all ages, supporting parents in the struggles of parenting.

Individual Psychotherapy

(50 minutes)                                £85 per session