Abi Newman

I offer a warm, relational and embodied space where you can slow down, feel listened to and begin to make sense of what you are experiencing. I work with curiosity, compassion and deep attention to the relationship we create together. You may be coming because you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck, exhausted, anxious or low. Perhaps you are repeating patterns you don't fully understand, or have reached a point where talking about things intellectually no longer feels quite enough. You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you need. We can begin wherever you are.

I see therapy as something we create together. The relationship between us can become part of the work, offering opportunities to notice how you relate, what you expect from others, where you feel safe or unsafe, and the ways you may have learned to protect yourself. I am interested in both the visible and less visible parts of our experience, including the patterns, feelings, body responses, beliefs and assumptions that can sit beneath the surface.

My approach is relational, embodied and integrative, drawing from somatic psychotherapy, parts work, depth psychology, creative approaches and ecopsychology. I am interested in the relationship between body, psyche, imagination, emotion and the wider world around us. I don't believe our struggles exist in isolation. Our experiences are shaped by our histories, relationships, families, cultures and the wider systems we live within.

While talking is an important part of therapy, we don't have to rely on words alone. Sometimes the body communicates something before we have language for it. We might gently notice sensations, breath, movement, posture, impulses or changes in emotion as they arise. Depending on what feels supportive, sessions may also include imagery, creative exploration, sound, mindful movement or other embodied practices.

I also draw on parts work, including Internal Family Systems-informed approaches. We all have different parts of ourselves that have developed in response to our experiences. Some may feel frightened, critical, overwhelmed, protective or disconnected. Rather than seeing these parts as problems to get rid of, we can become curious about what they are trying to communicate, what they may be protecting and what they might need now. This can create space for greater compassion, choice and a different relationship with ourselves.

An important part of my work is developing the ability to stay connected to what is happening within you while remaining grounded in the present moment. We can gently explore the past without becoming completely lost in it, finding ways to stay resourced as we meet what is asking for attention. I am a strong believer in pacing. Therapy does not have to mean constantly going deeper or pushing through difficult experiences. Sometimes the work is about slowing down, finding safety, developing resources, shared laughter or learning to listen to yourself. At other times, there may be a need for movement, expression or something more active. We can find the pace and way of working that feels appropriate for you.

I care deeply about the ways power, identity and difference are present within therapeutic relationships. I don't see therapy as a neutral space. I am interested in how our identities, histories, cultures and wider social contexts shape our experiences of ourselves and one another. I work proactively with consent, choice, boundaries and agency, and welcome conversations about what is and isn't working in our relationship. You don't have to become an "ideal client" or fit yourself around me. We can remain curious about the power dynamics between us and make space for your voice, including when something feels uncomfortable, uncertain or difficult to name.

Creativity can offer another way of knowing. This doesn't mean you need to be artistic or creative in any particular way. An image, metaphor, movement, piece of writing, sound, music or felt sense can sometimes express something that words cannot. I am interested in making room for these different forms of communication when they feel meaningful for you.

I also bring an ecological perspective to my work. I am interested in our relationship with the more-than-human world and in what can happen when we remember that our bodies do not exist separately from nature. For some people, this may mean bringing attention to the world outside the therapy room. For others, it may involve working outdoors through The Wild Way. Walking, sitting with the landscape, noticing the seasons or simply allowing nature to become part of the therapeutic space can offer another doorway into embodied awareness and relationship.

I care about creating a space where you don't have to perform, minimise yourself or have all the right words. There is room for uncertainty, contradiction, grief, anger, longing, joy and all the parts of you that may not always fit neatly together.

For me, therapy is ultimately about relationship: relationship with yourself, your body, your emotions, your inner world, your history and your relationships with others and, when it feels meaningful, the living world around you. It is a space to listen more deeply, become curious about what is unfolding and discover what might become possible when you no longer have to navigate it all alone.

We begin with a free 15-minute Zoom Discovery Call.

Following that, sessions are 1 hour.

I offer three core pathways of payment: Oak, Birch and Willow. There is also a Pay-It-Forward option, and the possibility of agreeing an amount that sits somewhere between pathways.

Willow Pathway

For those in tender or fragile seasons.

Life feels stretched or uncertain, and resources are limited. The Willow pathway is held gently to help make therapy accessible when it is most needed.

Session fee: £55

Note: Spaces on the Willow pathway are limited to support the sustainability of my practice.

Birch Pathway

For those whose forest sometimes feels dense or tangled.

You are managing day-to-day life, but finances, work or caring responsibilities may feel heavy. Choosing the Birch pathway allows you to make space for therapeutic support without overextending yourself.

Session fee: £75

Oak Pathway

For those whose roots feel steady and deep.

Life feels financially comfortable, and you are able to participate in this space with greater ease. Choosing the Oak pathway can also help to hold space for others, supporting accessibility for those choosing the Birch and Willow pathways.

Session fee: £95

Pay-It-Forward Option

If you are in a position to do so, you can choose to contribute above the Oak pathway fee. Your additional contribution helps to hold therapy places for those who need access to the Birch or Willow pathways.

In this way, resources can move through the practice, supporting greater access to therapy and nurturing a sense of community care and shared support.

Third-Party or Subsidised Payments

There are times when therapy is funded or partially supported by someone else, such as a family member, partner or organisation.

When sessions are being paid for in this way, the pathway chosen should reflect the financial capacity of the person or organisation offering the support, rather than your own.

You are welcome to share these pathway options with them so they can choose what feels appropriate and sustainable.

Choosing Your Pathway

I trust you to choose the pathway that fits your current reality.

This isn't about value, worth, or what is “better” or “worse”. It is about finding an exchange that feels honest, sustainable and appropriate for where you are now.

Your circumstances may change, and your pathway can change with them.

Please also feel free to ask about an amount that sits between pathways if that feels like the best fit.