Certified Transactional Analyst. UKCP Clinical Psychotherapist. Relationship Therapist.
Trauma Therapist. Clinical Supervisor
tel. 07780 568496 email: judithcarson55@gmail.com
I'm afraid if you're scrolling on a phone this might be rather a long scroll. I have aimed to include some general information alongside the business bones. Should you have further questions feel free to email me.
A beginning...
I can still recall my great relief in first hearing that there is no such thing as a silly question. Similarly there is never an inadequate reason to ask someone to listen to a worry or be alongside distress
The reasons why people seek professional help are as varied and complex as our uniqueness as individuals.
Human struggles are often a lonely experience and while talking things through can feel daunting we know it can also help to process difficult memories, put things into perspective and be an empowering experience.
In addition to bringing relief to acute and chronic distress, therapy can facilitate a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships and your life.
Having said that, making decisions about who to ask and what will be helpful is not easy, particularly when we're under stress or feeling overwhelmed.
If, after reading something of my approach and experience you would like to meet, I welcome a brief phone call or email.
What therapy?
When seeking a therapist the plethora of modalities is undoubtably unhelpful for the majority, including therapists themselves. Many modalities look to the same or similar theories yet use different language to discuss and explain; adding to the confusion.
All psychotherapists bring their varied backgrounds of life experiences into their work and many will have diversified and expanded to include other modalities along the way. A therapists original modality is one that must meet a standard; a learning basis that needs to meet a level required by accrediting bodies and which adheres to a shared professional and ethical commitment.
As a profession we cannot stand in stillness when it comes to learning about the human condition, hence many therapists will diversify and have areas of particular interest and experience.
Arranging an in-person session to meet a therapist will offer the opportunity to ask questions that are important for you and for you to have a sense of what and who feels right for you - and for the therapist to decide if they can offer what you ask or need.
As a collaborative endeavour you have the right to take your time to decide and the right to say goodbye if that feels right too.
Individual therapy - long or short term?
Many people I see have been struggling with their worries or problems for a while.
I have undertaken long term weekly work for many years and as I look to change my practice I am now also changing the focus for new clients to work in a more targeted and short term way.
While experience tells me that long term, in-person psychotherapy can be more suitable and effective in many situations, I have also found that short term work can not only be effective but also more available both financially and for people with constraints on their time.
Some aspects will remain the same as long term work; including the first few weeks to meet regularly in order to build a rapport, to understand the problems and identify where to begin.
We will then agree an approximate time to spend focussing on the outcome you would like and that we've agreed to aim for.
This work is transparently collaborative and from time to time we'll review to ensure we remain on track.
As any additional issues (inevitably) arise we will meet them and decide between us where they lie in the overall importance of our working agreement. We might agree a brief sidetrack or to revisit when the original work is finished.
Alternatively you might decide to continue with another therapist, or in a different therapy once we end. All of these options remain open.
Either of us can suggest when the time for finishing therapy has arrived.
Wherever possible the ideal is that we can spend some time reflecting, consolidating and closing our time together.
A bit about me
My initial training and experience began in nursing. After working in several different areas I specialised in Intensive and Coronary Care before working in Australia; predominantly in Trauma and Spinal units.
I returned to UK and retrained as a Community nurse.
This was followed by several years living and travelling in Asia, Australia and Brazil.
Once back in UK, and following a year training as a reflexologist, I embarked on a psychotherapy training and qualified as a Certified Transactional Analyst (Psychotherapy)
Modalities of training are complex but in ordinary terms CTA training is one that leads to accreditation by EATA - the European Association for Transactional Analysis and UKCP - the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy to work as a clinical psychotherapist.
I am also a member of UKATA (United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis)
My further trainings include diplomas in;
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Contemporary Trauma Therapy
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Relationship Therapy
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Supervision
For some people an indication of experience is helpful and while this is not an exhaustive list it might help in ruling out something specific that is being sought.
Often several problems present together and untangling and finding a starting point can in itself bring some relief.
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Adoption - adults who have been adopted
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Adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and childhood trauma
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Relationship issues
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Complex bereavement
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Anger
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Anxiety
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Bereavement
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Depression
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Family issues
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Health related issues
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Identity issues - as an exploration of self
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Sexual trauma/abuse
I have not listed issues such as addictions, disordered eating or OCD as these can often present as ways of managing extreme distress and are therefore automatically included within the therapy.
There are times when these issues are indeed the focus of a persons suffering, in which case I would not undertake treatment and advise they seek the expertise of a therapist specifically trained in these areas. I am however, able to help with assessment and if this is the case, to discuss options for the next step forward if appropriate.
A bit of business and ethics
If we agree to work together it is usual to spend a few sessions together before we agree a therapeutic contract i.e. what you want to achieve, what I can offer you and what I ask of you in terms of commitment to yourself and the process.
Therapy is a collaborative endeavour and so it is important that you feel empowered and that I have the appropriate skills and capacity to offer you.
My own regular (confidential) supervision sessions are an essential addition to my work and your overall care in addition to being an ethical requirement of my membership bodies.
Relationship therapy - co-creation
(where stories come together)
This work can involve any two individuals who are experiencing difficulties or want to improve their relationship.
For the work to be possible, judgment and blame need to be set aside to make way for curiosity and listening. This can feel difficult in the presence of hurt and my aim is to provide a place of safety and respect for both parties while often holding a space for wounds to be heard and hopefully healed.
This is a most vulnerable area and it takes courage to confront and look at ourselves and often our patterns of relating. Hence any couple who arrive for therapy warrant respect and kindness.
Working within a landscape of diversity is a natural aspect of relationship work. There will be three of us in the room trying to understand and make ourselves understood while experiencing our own thoughts and reactions.
The experience of openness and misunderstanding within the therapy is a place of learning albeit at times uncomfortable.
Although usually involving intimate relationships this doesn't need to be the case. Psychotherapy can be an effective tool for understanding communication and expectations while bringing clarity and growth to relationships.
If there is a decision for partners to separate this time can feel very destabilising and fraught with uncertainty.
Bringing your relationship into therapy can offer a stable and reflective space for you to work towards the changes you want.
Avoiding blame and judgement allows for reflective consideration and respectful communication to happen. This enables understanding of any difficulties and to identify what each of you wants for the future.
Supervision/Group supervision
I see trainees and qualified therapists as well as other professionals for supervision.
If you are a trainee looking for a supervisor you may wish to check if your training establishment have particular requirements regarding modality.
This may not preclude us working together as 'additional supervised hours'.
I have been fortunate to have enjoyed long and rewarding supervision relationships, as well as some short term potent supervisory interventions.
I am greatly in favour of therapists using their supervision creatively so while I am open to working in both long and short term I can feel equally excited to work with one-off consultations as needed.
Fresh eyes and ears and an alternative approach help us either confirm our track and help us stay, sometimes hold on, with greater confidence or confirm the need to change.
I have a Diploma in Supervision and am an approved supervisor with Metanoia Institute.
Introductory sessions are charged at the normal rate as outlined below.
Fees
In order to keep up with increased membership costs etc I review fees on an annual basis.
£75 for individual therapy sessions lasting 60 minutes
£90/120 per 60/90 minute session for couples.
Individual supervision £75 per 60 minute session
Availability
At this time I have only availability for Relationship therapy and short term consultation supervision (ie specific case supervision).
If you would like to be notified of any future availability I welcome enquiry by email.
Location
My consulting room is located in a quiet location on the outskirts of Cuddesdon approximately 20 minutes from Oxford. There is no bus service but there is parking on site.
