Read below OR see http://naomi-west.com/about

It is natural that when life feels overwhelming, we sometimes need someone to support us. This journey of support can be enriching. Exploring the difficulties in a depth way can offer insights that help us grow as people and reconnect to our wellbeing.

Many people are a little bit nervous when they attend their first therapy session, especially if it's their first time. This is completely normal. I offer a free initial meeting so we can simply meet and discuss what psychotherapy is, and your needs, in a safe and gentle way.

Core Process Psychotherapy is a Mindfulness based Psychotherapy with an evidence base for its effectiveness in helping to understand and alleviate suffering. I can also offer a number of art forms to support your journey if we feel it would enhance the work. Not everyone would like to work with the arts but some benefit greatly. You can read more about the different art forms here. The arts can be a powerful direct non-verbal exploration of what is happening for you.

Why Do People Come for Psychotherapy?

You might chose to come for a variety of reasons such as:
*Wish to explore yourself and your experience of life.
*Wish for more freedom in the way you live.
*Deepen self-knowledge and self-understanding.
*Increase creativity.
*Wishing for a sense of ease, peace and trust.
*Spiritual crisis and the search for deeper inner meaning and purpose.
*Alleviation of suffering such as:

Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Eating disorders
Trauma
Stress
Relationship difficulties
Abuse
Loss of Direction
Life transition
Confusing Feelings
Redundancy

Formal Training

*Post-Qualification MA in Mindfulness Based Psychotherapeutic Practise
*Post-Graduate Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts
*Graduate Diploma in Core Process Psychotherapy
*Qualified STEPS effective thinking skills facilitator
*Registered senior trainee with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.

I have five years of postgraduate training, and ran a clinical practice at Castle Quay Doctor's surgery and The Bridge Child and Family Centre from 2012. I graduated with an MA in in Mindfulness Based Psychotherapeutic Practise in 2015 and am now a senior trainee working towards accreditation.

I have also been running therapeutic arts groups, retreats and events since 2012, see www.artsinmindfulness.com.

I worked as a Wellbeing Facilitator for six years with families undergoing difficulties in Jersey for Brighter Futures Charity.
I offer an emotionally warm and non-judgmental space. The intention is that this allows trust to develop, and a safe place to explore and deepen what is happening for you. We inquire and let go of what may be at the root of your suffering.

You can attend sessions with me at the Lido Medical Centre, or at an additional clinic in St Helier.

Sessions are typically once weekly for 50mins per session. Research has shown that this is the best frequency and duration for effective change and healing.

The Karuna Institute's Code of Ethics is followed (please find this available on 'forms' page).

You can read more about Core Process Psychotherapy here.

My History

The foundations of my training were at the Karuna Institute. Core Process Psychotherapy (mindfulness based) unites the teachings of the Buddha with contemporary Western psychological research. Both offer an understanding of suffering and its alleviation that work together to support the client. Clients of all spiritual traditions and none are welcome.

In 2008 I came to work with Brighter Futures Charity where I set up a number of services and run, managed and supervised a number of group and one-to-one client support. I offered clinical supervision to the staff alongside the head of Parenting Support Services, and practiced Family Therapy as supervised therapist and as part of the reflective team. I completed my work with the charity in 2015 to accommodate an expanding psychotherapy practice in which to welcome new clients.

As for my earlier life I was brought up in an environment with plenty of arts through my family. I understood that these arts are a means of exploring the world around us and within us. This was through fine art and music in my family, and later included dance and theatre. On leaving dance school I volunteered facilitating therapeutic dance to children from the then war-torn Kosovo. The arts continually open up my experience of life, and knowledge of myself and I love to facilitate this for others. The arts can give accurate and broader expression to thoughts, feelings and experiences. I also offer therapy without use of the arts. It is unique for each person whether the arts are used at all, and if used in what way and to what frequency.

Through my youth I was exposed to a range spiritual traditions through family: Quaker, C of E, Brahma Kumaris and the teachings of GI Gurdjieff and I have a great respect for a multitude of traditions. I later became interested in the work of psychoanalyst CG Jung and his work with images, dreams and metaphor. I eventually found myself landing in Zen Buddhism as a practice that deeply supports my inner life. I found this practise with a simple sitting meditation at its core very helpful in moving through a difficult time in my life.

I work with people from all spiritual/religious traditions and those with none. I am happy to explore the presence of the sacred in people's life, in whatever form(s) that takes.

I offer you a free initial meeting either in person or through Skype. This is a chance for both you and I to find out more about each other, and more specifically about the journey you wish to undertake.

07797 77 99 49
hello@naomi-west.com