Gestalt Therapy 

Having a child with autism can have a profound impact on parents’ self- esteem, sense of well-being and stress levels as well as on the whole family’s quality of life. Isolation, not feeling understood are some the most prevailing experiences voiced by parents. It can mean going through painful experiences of loss and grief on many levels and also around all those wishes and desires one would have for the future of a child, complicated further with the impossibility of being able to have an idea of what that future might look like and hold for them. 


Parents’ aspirations for their own future may also suffer as a consequence as they have to dedicate their lives to their child’s care. Their whole life might feel like it has been put on hold. This can lead to more isolation as they are deprived of space, time and opportunities to look after their own needs.

About You

At times the experience of being a parent might even be felt as a traumatic event depending on the level of difficulty for bonding the child with autism suffers from, leaving parents feeling a sense of failure, regret and guilt. This can be extremely traumatizing, shocking and heartbreaking for parents. The Psychotherapy provision I provide at Starling will support you in how to feel more emotionally equipped to deal with the whole range of emotions, feelings, thoughts and experiences that may arise as a consequence of being a parent of a child with autism. It offers you a much needed, safe space to share and explore whatever you may find challenging or overwhelming.

How It Works


Therapy can be a place for you to explore different, new and desired ways of being and feeling. A place to explore the possibility of finding excitement, joy, hope, peace, completion, satisfaction and to work towards fulfilling your unique potential. A place to forge the type of change you want, a place where you can explore the endless possibilities of being.


Listning you

When you come to therapy I will provide you with the space, confidentiality and attention you need by listening to your story, desires, needs and whatever might be troubling you. In collaboration and dialogue we will devise a plan of support uniquely tailored to your needs and to you as a whole individual. I will do this by being a constant, attentive and attuned presence. I see the therapeutic relationship as the vehicle through which change happens and therefore our relationship will be central to our work. I will with the support of embodied techniques, metaphors, empathic listening and focusing support you to connect with your self and whatever you feel in that moment whether that may be anger, loss, confusion, helplessness, stuckness, desperation, anxiety or anguish.


Support


I will support you in taking the steps you need in order to resolve some of the unresolved experiences you might carry and create the change you want so that you can feel you are better equipped emotionally to deal with the day to day of raising a child with autism. The work you need might be short term or long term. This will be fully explored in our first meeting. After our initial meeting therapy sessions will happen on a weekly basis at a time and day agreed by the two of us. I offer the opportunity to have our sessions in person in one of my practices or online through Skype or Zoom as I am aware of the commitment and time constraints you may be facing. If online I normally suggest if possible that our first session is conducted in person so that we can establish if we can work together and get a sense of each other. I offer a completely confidential space and in this respect follow the UKCP code of ethics.

Share by: