I am an HCPC-registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist and I specialise in the psychological wellbeing of performing artists. I have particular clinical depth in trauma, performance-related injury, and the long-term psychological effects of rejection, criticism and high-pressure training environments.
I work integratively, drawing on a range of evidence-based talking therapy and body-brain integrative approaches. This includes ways of working that help the body and mind process distressing past experiences, approaches that help people understand and work with different parts of themselves with more compassion, and acceptance-based and solution-focused ways of working. I have a particular interest in the connection between mind and body for performers whose instrument is, in effect, their own body. The modalities I use include Eye Movement desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and solution-focused approaches, with a particular interest in body-brain integration work for performers whose instrument is, in effect, their own body.
I have worked with singers across opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop and other genres, classical musicians, actors, singing actors, comedians, dancers, and a wider range of creative professionals including writers, artistic directors, TV producers and visual artists. I support performers both in the therapy room and through ongoing voluntary work with my local theatre and a youth opera company, which gives me direct, current insight into rehearsal culture, the audition process, and the pressures of professional training.
My specialist interests include performance-related trauma, intergenerational trauma, workforce wellbeing, and the psychological aftermath of injury, including physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation, and conditions that affect a performer's control over movement or voice, such as dystonia and neurological tremors, as well as tinnitus. I am particularly interested in the psychological impact of harsh criticism, humiliation and overtraining pressure experienced during early training, and how this shapes a performer's relationship to their craft years later.
I can help with all aspects including stage fright, performance anxiety, managing setbacks and rejection, perfectionism and the pressure to be flawless, social comparison and jealousy, social anxiety, recovery from injury, building resilience, mental preparation and managing post-show slumps.
I also have extensive experience lecturing in psychology, providing clinical supervision for practising clinicians and for doctoral students' research, and running workshops and training for performing arts organisations. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I provide specialist teaching, training, supervision and consultation on trauma, workplace wellbeing and stress management.
I have significant experience working with individuals from the global majority, including co-publishing a Positive Practice Guide for the NHS.
I am fully bilingual and can offer therapy in Polish.