Sophia Boucher

Does this sound familiar?

Do you find yourself flying off the handle with the people you love most and then wonder why you overreact? You might even ask yourself, "Why am I like this?" If you had a difficult or traumatic childhood yourself, you may be carrying invisible wounds and not realise how these scars, or deep-held secrets, can continue to affect your life today.

You might feel numb, invisible, or somehow different from everyone else. It may feel as if you are an outsider or disconnected from other people, even those closest to you. You struggle to trust anyone enough to let them in. Instead, you keep people at arm's length, but at the same time you desperately want to feel understood and connected. This can feel incredibly lonely and isolating, as though no one truly knows the 'real' you.

Perhaps you find yourself snapping at your children or partner and then immediately feel consumed by guilt and shame. You may wonder where these flashes of anger come from and worry about the impact your reactions have on the people you love the most. Thoughts such as, "I'm a terrible mum" or "I'm a terrible dad" may run through your mind. Deep down, the question you keep asking yourself is "Who have I become?"

If you've never felt safe enough to share what happened or trust someone with your deepest pain, you may wonder what it would be like to finally lift the lid off everything you've been carrying and release some of the pent-up emotions in a safe and compassionate space. Realising you are not alone and that many of your reactions and emotions make sense in the context of what you have lived through can be incredibly comforting.

How therapy can help

My clients often tell me that one of the first things they notice is waking up without that constant knot in their stomach. They can enjoy time with their children without feeling on edge and feel calmer when something goes wrong instead of immediately reacting. They begin to understand and trust themselves again, recognising that their past is something that happened to them rather than something that defines who they are.

Over time, many clients find that whilst the memories remain, they no longer hold the same emotional charge they once did. Clients frequently describe feeling less reactive and less overwhelmed by anger or anxiety. They notice they have more space to pause before responding and feel calmer and more present in their relationships. Many tell me that family life feels more settled and that they can respond to their children with greater patience and compassion.

As our work progresses, clients often begin to reconnect with themselves. They develop a clearer sense of who they are, what matters to them, and what they need from life and relationships. Their confidence and self-esteem grow as they begin to feel more secure in who they are.

Why work with me?

I understand that reaching out for support can feel daunting, especially if trusting others has been difficult for much of your life. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my work, and I will meet you with warmth, compassion, and acceptance.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years as a trauma nurse, supporting patients and their families through some of the most vulnerable and challenging times of their lives. This experience taught me the importance of truly listening, sitting alongside distress with compassion, and providing a calm and safe space where people feel seen, heard, and understood.

Taking the first step

My work is tailored to you as an individual. I intergrate counselling with approaches such as Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) and hypnotherapy, all of which can help when working with painful memories. Together we'll explore what has happened, make sense of how it continues to affect your life today, and work towards lasting emotional change.

If you have recognised yourself in these words and would like to explore how therapy could help, I offer a free introductory 15-minute telephone call. This gives us the opportunity to talk, answer any questions you might have, and help you decide whether I am the right therapist for you.

• Counselling: £65 per session
• Hypnotherapy and IEMT: £80 per session