I'm Sally Conway an online psychologist helping adults with anxiety and trauma overcome their fears so they can do more of what matters
Are trauma or stressful life events causing problems for you?
- Feeling overwhelmed and confused
- Remembering distressing things
- Wondering if you’re going mad
- Getting irritable or upset at the smallest things
- Struggling to feel anything at all
- Feeling scared and isolated
- Avoiding certain people or places
- Can’t see a way forward
If you’re struggling to cope after a serious event, or things in your past are impacting upon how you deal with the present then let me help you:
- Put your fears in their place
- Get your life back on track
- Start feeling like you again
How therapy can help
After therapy people feel more able to accept what happened to them. In most cases they are no longer troubled by distressing thoughts and feelings, or they have learnt ways to deal with them so they feel calmer and more in control. When this happens they are ready to take steps to build their lives again.
Most of all they feel more hopeful about their future.
What I offer
When we work together on your trauma or stressful life events I’d like to help you first understand why you are feeling like you do. Sometimes things that happened earlier in your life could be underlying your current difficulties.
This means when you encounter situations that remind you of your earlier experiences your old fears and anxieties can resurface. Consequently you think, feel and respond just as you did in the past. Usually this is not helpful to you in your current life!
If this sounds like you then a therapy called EMDR may help. To start, I’ll help you understand why you are having these experiences and why EMDR might be useful.
Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Before we work through your troubling memories we’ll look at ways you can manage any uncomfortable feelings that might come up. So you might be asked to think of people or places you find calming or supportive, for instance and we’ll use imagery to help you strengthen these feelings.
When you feel ready, I will guide you through your difficult memories whilst you watch a moving light or tap either side of your body. Sounds a bit odd I know! But just like when you dream, the rapid eye movements (REMs) have been shown to help work through your memories.
By doing this we are helping your brain to process the distress that is associated with the memories. This means you no longer feel overwhelmed when reminded of those events in your everyday life.
Once you are no longer distressed by those memories we will then work through any remaining difficulties you are having in your day-to-day life. Lastly we will think about any future worries you have and help you feel more equipped to handle those.
While EMDR can reduce unwanted emotional reactions in your present and fears you may have about the future, you may need some additional help undoing some of the ways you have learnt to cope with your struggles over the years. That is why I often integrate other therapies I am experienced in alongside EMDR to give you a treatment that is specific to you and your individual needs.
Coming to terms with trauma or stressful life events and the ways you have learnt to deal with them, can take time. I can help you to explore what’s important to you now in your life. Then think about the choices you make that will move you towards the way of living that’s right for you.
What else can I offer?
It may be that you do not want to relive the past but just focus on how you can deal with the problems you are having in the present and this is fine too.
Whatever your particular issues and preferences for therapy are, we will decide together on a treatment plan that will work best for you. By drawing on your expert knowledge of you and my psychological expertise we can select the strategies that best fit you and your needs.
The other therapies I draw on that work well alongside EMDR or just on their own include acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy.
In all of these approaches you will discover ways to handle any difficult internal struggles you may be having that are preventing you from having the kind of life you would like. This could involve learning skills such as mindfulness, imagery, and goal setting among others so that you know how to:
- step back from thoughts
- open up to feelings
- develop more helpful perspectives
- become a friend to yourself
- make choices that are right for you
- do things differently
I have seen some wonderful transformations in people when they no longer feel held back by their past. I’d love to help you too.
Your anxiety and trauma psychologist
I’m Sally an experienced clinical psychologist with an extensive background in helping people come to terms with trauma and distressing life events both in the NHS and the private sector. To see how I can help you with your specific issues please follow the links above.
Due to my own stress-related issues I made the decision to set up in private practice in 2019. Now I see who I want, when I want and still have time to do the things that are important to me.
As a result I am more relaxed and focused and I’d like to help you deal with your challenges so you can make the changes that are right for you too. So I can be in the best place to help you, I see no more than nine people a week for therapy.
After a productive day I like to unwind with a TV transformation show, whether it’s dancing, dating, baking or building! There’s nothing better than seeing someone achieve their full potential or find a genuine connection. I also love pizza, I even ate it on my wedding day!
Professional background
- Qualified clinical psychologist since 2011.
- Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) – Reg no PYL27049.
- Extensive training and experience in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
- Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner and member of EMDR Association UK.
- Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant.
- Registered provider with Aviva, AXA and Aetna insurance companies.
To learn more about my qualifications and experience, please follow the link to my CV.
Take the next step
How might your day be different if you could learn to live with what has happened to you?
By taking just one small step today you are opening the door to a new tomorrow.