How We Work Together
At Steps Therapy, I work in a way that recognises something many people don’t realise at first trauma, stress, and overwhelm don’t just live in our thoughts, they live in the body.
That’s why our work together isn’t just about talking. It’s about helping your nervous system feel safer, more regulated, and more able to cope with everyday life.
I use a trauma-informed, phased approach to support you at a pace that feels manageable and safe.
Phase 1: Stabilisation
We begin by creating a foundation of safety and stability.
If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or constantly on edge, this stage focuses on helping your nervous system settle. Together, we build practical tools to support you in daily life.
This might include:
- Understanding your nervous system and responses
- Learning grounding and regulation techniques
- Developing resources to manage anxiety, panic, or emotional overwhelm
- Building a sense of safety within yourself
This stage is essential. It ensures that you feel supported and resourced before moving into deeper therapeutic work.
Phase 2: Processing
Once a level of stability is in place, we can begin to gently explore and process what’s underneath.
This part of the work is always led by you, at your pace.
I draw on an integrative approach, including:
- Psychodynamic therapy (understanding past experiences and patterns)
- CBT (exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviours)
- Person-centred therapy (working with your lived experience in a supportive space)
- EMDR (where appropriate)
- Somatic (body-based) awareness and techniques
This allows us to process experiences in a way that feels contained, supported, and not overwhelming.
Phase 3: Integration & Moving Forward
In this phase, we begin to look at how you want to move forward.
Together, we focus on:
- Strengthening your sense of self
- Building resilience and confidence
- Creating new patterns and ways of being
- Supporting you in living more fully in the present
This stage is about helping you feel more like yourself again — or perhaps discovering parts of yourself you haven’t felt connected to in a long time.
Whether we meet online, in person, or outdoors, therapy is shaped around your needs. We’ll work together in a way that feels safe, supportive, and at a pace that’s right for you.
Sessions & Flexibility
I offer:
- Weekly sessions (recommended at the start of therapy)
- Fortnightly sessions
- Monthly sessions (once we have established a strong foundation and ongoing support feels appropriate)
We can work:
- Online
- Face-to-face at my Therapy Space in Bexleyheath
- Walk & Talk Sessions within local green spaces.
This allows flexibility depending on your needs, lifestyle, and what feels most supportive for you.
A Gentle, Collaborative Process
Therapy with me is not about rushing or pushing. It’s about working together in a way that honours your pace, your story, and your capacity.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.
We start where you are.
Getting Started & How We Work Together
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step. I aim to make the process as simple, supportive, and collaborative as possible from the very beginning.
Making Contact
You’re welcome to get in touch via phone or email. Whether you’re feeling unsure, have questions, or are ready to begin, I will respond as soon as I can and guide you through the next steps.
Initial Conversation
We can arrange a short introductory call to briefly talk through what’s bringing you to therapy and to answer any questions you may have. This is an opportunity for you to get a sense of how I work and whether it feels like the right fit for you.
Discovery Session & Assessment
Our first full session will be a collaborative assessment. This is a gentle space where we begin to explore what’s going on for you, your history, and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy.
Together, we will begin to shape how we work. As an Somatic & Integrative Therapist, I draw on a range of approaches, and within this session we will consider what might suit you best. For some clients, this may be more somatic (body-based) work, while for others it may feel more helpful to begin with talking therapy. Often, it is a blend of both.
This is not about fitting you into a model, but about finding an approach that feels supportive, safe, and effective for you.
Ongoing Sessions
I offer:
- Weekly sessions (recommended at the beginning)
- Fortnightly sessions
As our work progresses, we can review what feels right for you and adjust the frequency accordingly.
For clients who have completed longer-term work, I also offer occasional one-off or “check-in” sessions to provide continued support when needed.
Sessions are available in a way that best supports you:
- Face-to-face in my calm and welcoming therapy space in Bexleyheath
- Online for flexibility and accessibility
- Walk and talk sessions in nearby green spaces, where appropriate and agreed together in advance
Babies are always welcome in my therapy space, as well as in online sessions. I aim to remove as many barriers as possible so you can access the support you need in a way that feels manageable for you.
A Collaborative Process
Therapy is not something that is done to you, but something we build together. We move at a pace that feels manageable, creating a space where you can feel safe to explore, understand, and begin to make sense of your experiences.
I also understand that starting therapy can feel like a big step. You may feel anxious about opening up or sharing your inner world. For some, it can even feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar to talk about personal thoughts and feelings, especially when they relate to family. Here are my five tips for preparing for a session.
These feelings are completely natural. At first, it may feel unfamiliar, but with time, trust, and a supportive space, this can begin to ease. Allowing yourself to receive support is not wrong it is an important and courageous step towards looking after yourself.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.
Taking the first step is enough.
Starting therapy can bring up a mix of emotions. You might feel relief at finally talking, alongside some uncertainty or vulnerability. This is a natural part of the process.
In the early stages, our focus is on helping you feel more settled and supported. As we continue, you may begin to notice small shifts feeling a little calmer, more aware of your thoughts and responses, or better able to manage moments that once felt overwhelming.
Over time, many clients experience:
- A greater sense of emotional balance
- Increased self-understanding
- The ability to respond rather than react
- Feeling more connected to themselves and others
The tools and awareness we build in sessions are designed to support you beyond the therapy space, becoming part of your everyday life.
Therapy is a commitment to yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, patience, and support, meaningful and lasting shifts can take place.
Steps Therapy Case Study 1
Name changed for confidentiality.
Sarah came to therapy feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and deeply self-critical.
She wasn’t enjoying early motherhood in the way she felt she “should”
and found herself caught in a cycle of guilt and harsh inner dialogue.
In our work together, we began by gently slowing things down and helping her
feel more settled in her body. Over time, she started to notice moments of calm
and a softening in how she spoke to herself.
Rather than feeling consumed by anxiety and self-doubt, she began to
respond with more understanding and compassion.
The shifts were gradual, but meaningful feeling more grounded, more present, and more able to be with herself and her baby in a different way.
Every journey is unique, but this is an example of how change can begin, step by step.
Steps Therapy Case Study 2
Name changed for confidentiality.
Emma came to therapy following multiple losses on her fertility journey. She felt emotionally overwhelmed, constantly on edge, and disconnected from her body. Everyday moments could feel triggering, and she found it hard to find any sense of steadiness.
We began by focusing on gentle, somatic ways to support her nervous system helping her feel more grounded and resourced in the present moment. Over time, she started to notice small shifts: moments of calm, a softening of the intensity, and a growing ability to stay with her feelings without becoming overwhelmed.
While the pain of her experiences didn’t disappear, her relationship to them began to change. She felt more settled, more compassionate towards herself, and more able to hold both her grief and her life alongside it.
Take the First Step
If you’re feeling ready, or even just curious, you’re welcome to get in touch or book an initial session.
