Naomi Seal

One of the bravest things we can do is ask for help.  I hope to be able to offer you some of that here.  The foundation of my work is relational, which means that the relationship between you and I will be important.  I am trained as an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, meaning that I studied multiple modalities and can adapt my practice to suit your needs.  Having access to various styles of therapy can help people to explore and access different aspects of themselves more readily.

My training is trauma-informed and included psychodynamic therapy, which focusses on how past experiences may have helped to shape present experiences and feelings about the self.  My training also included person-centred therapy, which centres on empowering clients to reach their potential and CBT which focusses on how our behaviours and thought patterns can impact us.  I also utilise elements of somatic (body based) practices and Polyvagal theory, working with the nervous system and threat responses (Fight/Flight/Fawn/Freeze), alongside IFS (Internal Family Systems), which considers the varied aspects of the self.

Through our work together, I might use different elements of these therapeutic styles, but the focus will be on what you need.  Working relationally means that our relationship will be a part of the therapy; this may include looking at how we work together; considering moments of connection and potentially disconnection, noticing how they feel.  Bringing our relationship into the work can help identify familiar patterns or ways of being that might be difficult to identify alone, and that you may bring to other relationships in the outside world.

Beginning therapy can feel really vulnerable, relational therapy requires vulnerability on my part too.  Where there is discomfort, I will be with you in that, when there are relational difficulties, we can work through those together, if I make mistakes I will take responsibility for them.  I will be invested in your therapy, and in you.

There is a long list below, detailing what I can help with, but underneath these labels, whether they are symptoms, diagnoses, behaviours, experiences or feeling states, fundamentally, I work with people, and whatever they need to bring.  

All of us can be complex and messy, but we can be simple too, sometimes what we need is for someone to be with us in the mess, to sit with us, through our difficulties and at times help us to untangle some of them.  I hope to be able to do that for you and with you.

For a little background, I am a trained Integrative Psychotherapist with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling and an MSc in Therapeutic Counselling.  I also have an MA in Education: Culture, Language and Identity and before training as a Psychotherapist I worked within arts education, and I have professional associations with Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts and ACT Mental Health (Accessible Counselling and Therapy).    

Before booking a first session, I offer a free introductory 20 minute video call.  This can help us to get a feel for each other, you can let me know a little about what has brought you to therapy and what you might like to gain from it.  It will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have. This will give us an opportunity to gain a sense of whether we might be a good fit.  

After this initial session, if you would like to work with me, then we can decide on a way forward, you will be sent some paperwork including a contract and some personal details forms, and we will book in your first session.  I offer long-term and short-term therapy, but in general I suggest a minimum commitment of 8 sessions. 

During your first therapy session we will take some time to go through boundaries and confidentiality and cover any practical matters or administrative questions you may have.  If needed we may also spend a little time going through your personal details forms.  After that, the time is yours.