About me
You may feel stuck in patterns that keep repeating, even when you understand them and are trying your best to change.
Perhaps you find yourself overthinking, people-pleasing, becoming emotionally overwhelmed, shutting down, pulling away, or feeling constantly on edge. You may struggle with relationships, intimacy, self-worth, trust or feeling safe enough to fully be yourself with other people.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, insightful and self-aware, but still find themselves reacting emotionally in ways they cannot easily control.
Sometimes these patterns are connected to trauma, relational trauma, difficult early experiences, loss, rejection, emotional neglect or relationships where needs were not consistently seen, understood or safely held.
Over time, these experiences can shape how we see ourselves, how safe we feel with others, and how we respond to closeness, conflict, vulnerability and intimacy.
I work with individuals and couples who want to work with these deeper patterns and create meaningful, lasting change.
How I Can Help
Therapy can provide a space to slow things down and make sense of what is happening beneath the surface.
You may be struggling with:
Trauma or relational trauma
The impact of difficult childhood or relationship experiences
Repeating relationship patterns
Anxiety, overthinking or hypervigilance
Emotional overwhelm, shutdown or dissociation
People-pleasing or difficulty expressing needs
Shame, low self-worth or self-criticism
Difficulty trusting others or feeling emotionally safe
Conflict, communication difficulties or emotional distance
Fear of rejection, abandonment or being hurt
Difficulties with vulnerability or closeness
Intimacy, desire or sexual connection difficulties
Sex beginning to feel pressured, avoided or emotionally difficult
The impact of past experiences on present relationships
Trauma and Relational Trauma
Trauma does not always come from one obvious event. Sometimes it develops through repeated experiences of not feeling safe, understood, protected or emotionally supported.
You may have grown up needing to adapt to other people's emotions, becoming highly independent, responsible, watchful or focused on keeping the peace. You may have learnt to disconnect from your own feelings or needs in order to cope.
These strategies can be incredibly protective at the time, but later in life they may show up as anxiety, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, difficulty trusting, relationship problems, shutdown, hypervigilance or feeling disconnected from yourself.
The aim is not to erase what happened, but to help your nervous system and emotional world recognise that the past is no longer happening now.
Working With Individuals
Individual therapy can help you understand the emotional and relational patterns you find yourself repeating.
You may find yourself becoming anxious when someone pulls away, struggling to say what you need, taking responsibility for other people's feelings, or protecting yourself by becoming distant or independent.
You may know that your reactions feel bigger than the situation in front of you but still find them difficult to control.
Together, we can explore what these reactions are protecting, where they may have developed, and how you can begin responding from a greater sense of safety and choice.
Working With Couples
Couples often come to therapy when they care deeply about one another but have become caught in patterns they no longer know how to change.
You may be having the same argument repeatedly, avoiding difficult conversations, struggling to repair after conflict, or feeling increasingly disconnected.
Sometimes one partner pursues reassurance while the other withdraws. Sometimes both partners shut down. At other times resentment, criticism, defensiveness or misunderstandings gradually create distance.
Past experiences can also become activated within relationships. One partner's fear, withdrawal, anger or need for reassurance may trigger something vulnerable in the other, creating a cycle neither person intends.
Couples therapy can help you slow this pattern down, understand what is happening underneath each person's reactions and begin creating a safer way of communicating and connecting.
The focus is not on deciding who is right or wrong, but on understanding the relationship between you.
Intimacy and Psychosexual Therapy
Sexual difficulties are often about much more than sex.
Stress, trauma, anxiety, relationship dynamics, body image, health concerns, past experiences and emotional disconnection can all affect sexual wellbeing.
For some people, closeness or sexual contact can activate anxiety, shutdown, pressure or fear. For others, differences in desire can gradually create rejection, resentment or avoidance.
You may find that sex has become something you feel you should want rather than something that feels safe, connected or enjoyable.
I offer a thoughtful, non-judgemental space to explore these difficulties, whether you attend individually or as a couple.
We may explore desire, intimacy, communication, expectations, pressure, avoidance, emotional safety and the meaning that sex has come to hold within the relationship.
My Approach
My work is grounded in evidence-based approaches - Attachment-Focused EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Schema Therapy. This allows us to work at both a relational and deeper emotional level, supporting meaningful and lasting change.
I do not believe therapy should be a one-size-fits-all. I work collaboratively and adapt the therapy to you, your experiences and what feels most helpful.
Therapy Options
Sessions are available in person at my private practice in Cubley, Derbyshire, or online across the UK and Europe via Zoom. I’m conveniently located just 10 minutes from Uttoxeter and Ashbourne, and within 20 minutes of Stoke-on-Trent, Burton upon Trent, and Derby, just five minutes off the A50 Sudbury roundabout.
I primarily offer mid- to longer-term therapy, allowing time to work at depth and address the roots of difficulties rather than only managing what is happening on the surface.
Sessions are most commonly held weekly, as consistency can support emotional safety, trust, momentum and meaningful progress.
An Inclusive Practice
My practice is neurodivergent- and LGBTQ+ affirming and grounded in openness, authenticity and respect for the uniqueness of each individual and relationship.
Fees
Individuals and Couples: £110 per 50-minute session
If you are considering therapy and would like to explore whether working together feels right, you are very welcome to get in touch to arrange an introductory conversation.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training, Qualifications & Experience
I began working in the mental health field in 2019 and later founded Live Life Happy Therapy to support individuals and couples experiencing emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, and long-standing patterns often rooted in earlier relational experiences.
My work has a strong focus on attachment and relational trauma, particularly where clients feel stuck in recurring emotional or relationship patterns they struggle to shift alone.
I integrate EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, and body-aware approaches within a relational framework, supporting clients to reconnect with themselves and develop more secure and fulfilling relationships.
Alongside my therapy work, I continue ongoing professional development in trauma, attachment, intimacy, and relationship therapy. I am currently undertaking a Level 7 Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy, working towards COSRT accreditation, further deepening my work with intimacy, desire, and emotional connection within relationships.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy horse riding and spending time with my family, both of which help keep me grounded in the realities of everyday life.
Qualifications & Professional Training
Advanced Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy Level 7
Advanced Patterns in Psychotherapy Level 7
Integrative Counselling Level 5
EMDR Therapy (EMDRIA & EMDR Europe Approved Training)
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT Externship)
Schema Therapy (ISST Approved)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 & 2
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy
Young Person & Adolescent Counselling Level 5
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Psychosexual Therapy Diploma Level 7 (ongoing)
Continued Professional Development Includes
Attachment-Focused EMDR
Trauma & Relational Trauma Treatment
Somatic Approaches to Trauma
Rupture & Repair in Relationships
Healing Shame & Self-Loathing
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Neurobiology of Trauma
EMDR Couples Therapy
Healing Trust & Relationship Trauma
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£110.00 per session
Additional information
Fees working with Nicola
Individuals & Couples Therapy £110 per 50-minute session
For your convenience, you can reach out directly via email or phone. Alternatively, visit my website to book using my online scheduling link.
When I work
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