Over the past year, I have undertaken a period of return to practice study and clinical work. I regularly attend courses and professional learning opportunities and in the past I have gained huge insights from seminars with Bruce Perry, Gabor Maté, Nadine Burke-Harris, Lisa Cherry, Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Suzanne Zeedyk amongst others. In my recent practice, I have also been informed by the IFS (Internal Family Systems) model. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a holistic and evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that views the mind as a system made up of different “parts,” each with its own perspectives, emotions, and motivations. Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS helps individuals identify and integrate these sub-personalities or “parts” to achieve mental balance and internal harmony. Through IFS, we learn to tune in to these parts, listen with curiosity, and understand what they truly need. At the core of it all lies the “Self” – a calm, compassionate presence within us that can lead with clarity and care. When we access Self, we’re able to guide our parts into greater harmony, so that all of who we are feels seen, supported, and integrated. There is a strong alignment between Dramatherapy, which can help us to explore the different roles we play within our lives, and IFS.
In April 2026, I attended Tanz, Ton, Wort/Laban Around The World, which was a 5 day event in London celebrating the work, teachings and legacy of Rudolf Laban. Laban was a dance theorist and teacher, who pioneered early dance therapy practice. This experience provided me with great insights into the crossover between dance and drama therapies and reminded me of the importance of paying attention to physical and non-verbal communication and somatic healing processes.
Tapping
I have recently gained certification In First Aid Stress and Trauma (F.A.S.T) with the Peaceful Heart Network (Sweden) to use Trauma Tapping Techniques. Trauma tapping techniques are mind-body approaches that combine elements of acupressure and psychology to help regulate the nervous system and release emotional stress. They are used for PTSD, C-PTSD, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms. More information can be found here: https://peacefulheart.se/
