Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Therapy | Internal Family Systems | Dramatherapy | Supervision | Artist Wellbeing | Birmingham | Kings Heath | United Kingdom | lou-platt
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Therapy with Lou Platt

There is always hope, even in the darkest of times

Hello, and welcome. Here you'll find out a little bit more about me and what it might be like for us to work together.

I'm an experienced psychotherapist, who is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.  Being a dramatherapist and an IFS practitioner, I combine the approaches of IFS with imaginative, embodied and creative methods in ways that feel accessible, enlivening and deepening of your therapeutic journey. 

 

I provide 1:1 psychotherapy for adults in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

My Story

I have always been interested in what may help make life a little easier, create more flow and overcome past hurts that are still impacting present circumstances. This led me to train as a drama-psychotherapist in 2004 and since qualifying I have worked in various settings helping people recover from past trauma and to effectively let go of out-dated coping mechanisms, such as addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, anxiety and depression.

In 2020 I trained in Internal Family Systems therapy and wholeheartedly believe this way of working is a deeply transformative, compassionate and life-affirming practice.

I often find myself turning to nature when in need of self-nurturance, care and grounding. I enjoying walking, swimming and cycling in the British countryside. I also write poetry and sometimes draw as a way of making sense of me and my relationship to others and the world. I'm also developing my movement practices in yoga and qi-gong.

As a therapist, I consider myself to be compassionate and yet able to challenge with care when that might be needed. I am often in therapy myself, and see this as an essential part of being a therapeutic practitioner myself. I attend various trainings and workshops throughout the year, alongside reading articles and books, in order to keep my practice up to date and continually developing.

I am passionate about supporting the mental health of those working in creative industries (theatre, TV, Film and dance) I am the founder and director of The Artist Wellbeing Company Ltd

Internal Family Systems Therapy

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is based upon the belief that we are all made up of many parts, or sub-personalities, which can be in conflict with one another or might be creating patterns and behaviours in life that can be deeply challenging. It is also a deeply compassionate approach, as alongside the many parts of self, there is a belief that we all possess a core self which is loving, accepting and healing. When in connection with this core self, we can release ourselves from old out-dated and unhelpful patterns and heal old wounds.

Internal Family Systems therapy is an evidenced based practice and is growing in popularity around the world.

To find out more about IFS, you can read Richard Schwarts; book: No Bad Parts. Or listen to various talks on IFS in this podcast series.

Working Creatively & With the Body

Sometimes it can be hard to find the right words, or when words alone are not enough, dramatherapy can draw upon various creative techniques to aid the therapeutic process. Dramatherapy believes in the healing power of the imagination, body-awareness and creativity.

Creative methods used in a sessions include focusing on bodily sensations, movements and breath; the use of metaphor and the imagination; or working with objects or images to externalize your internal world in order to obtain new perspectives and insights. As the client, you will always have choice about what you want to try in a session, and I'm experienced in helping you make choices that aid your therapeutic aims and objectives.

 

Dramatherapy can work well with Internal Family Systems, as the use of creative techniques can help you gain better understanding and connection to your various inner parts.

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To book in with with me, please email or call

lou@artistwellbeing.co.uk

07547 333615

My practice is based in Kings Heath, Birmingham

HCPC Registered - AS08365

Member of British Association of Dramatherapists

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