Amana van Staden

My personal experiences took me on an extensive journey of self-discovery, ultimately leading to a complete overhaul of my life. I was adamant to break the cycle of generational trauma and to find a better path for myself. Personal psychotherapy was central to understanding and working through my own development and emotional world; also, the experience of ‘being a client’ allowed me to understand the experience of psychotherapy from both perspectives. However, following years of psychotherapy I couldn’t help feeling like something was still missing, and it related to my body, which, up to that point, felt excluded from the therapeutic process. Although talking therapy brought me much understanding and emotional healing, I still suffered from debilitating chronic pain, which I had struggled with from adolescence. I knew instinctively that it was caused by psychological factors and that was when I came across Somatic Experiencing, a body-centred therapy developed by Dr Peter Levine for the healing of trauma (read more on my website). This work was so transformative that I decided to embark on its 3-year training programme to become a qualified SE practitioner. While still in training, I am qualified to trainee practitioner level, meaning I can work with clients using the SE approach. This has illuminated and transformed how I treat and approach trauma work with clients.

In an earlier career, I led an EMEA business function for a global technology company. Working in a corporate environment gave me a first-hand experience of the pressures of corporate culture and the personal and group challenges that can arise. After retraining, I gained an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the University of London. This was a rigorous clinical, experiential, and academic training, during which I had the opportunity to work alongside the counselling team at Kings College, London. Since completing training, I set up a private practice in Bloomsbury, London, where I worked until relocating to East Sussex. The move was borne out of my intimate relationship with nature and its profound effect on my mental health and general wellbeing.

In addition to this, I have over twenty years of experience as a meditation practitioner and teacher. There is the option to incorporate mindfulness practices into therapy work, which some clients find helpful.

My approach is one of deeply listening to what you bring. I offer gentle and caring support coupled with a belief in your inherent ability to heal. I incorporate both psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing to address mental health issues and symptoms.

How and where I work:

I work from the Wellington Centre, in Hastings. I usually meet clients once per week. I generally work on a long-term, open-ended way, but can also see clients on a short-term basis, in which case the work tends to be more focused and directive. (I am able to see clients for online sessions, on a Tuesday).

If you are interested in working with me then I will usually start by having a brief telephone conversation with you. This is for you to tell me a bit more about what is going on for you. It also gives me an opportunity to ask a few questions and to talk more about the way I work. If after the call you would like to move forward then we will agree on a time for an initial session, which will also allow us to determine if we would like to continue working together on a regular basis.
 

•  Trauma Specialist 
• Somatic Experiencing
• Psychosomatic conditions/ chronic pain 
• Birth Story Processing
• New parent mental health 
• Perimenopause and monopause informed
• Group/ organisational dynamics
• Mindfulness Meditation

Professional Affiliations:

• Registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• Insurance includes Personal Indemnity and Public Liability
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Certificate
• Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office
• Mindfulness Meditation training accredited by the Society of Holistic Therapists and Coaches

I abide by the code and ethics of these organisations.