Emma Pott - Profile

As a relational integrative psychotherapist, I provide psychotherapy and counselling using various approaches and adapt the therapy to your specific needs and difficulties. I work in a client-centred relational approach, which means I will incorporate all of my experience and knowledge in various therapeutic approaches to tailor the system to your specific needs.

I place a strong emphasis on the relationship between myself and my client. I see this is crucial in working from a trauma informed perspective where often difficulties have originated from difficult childhood relationships and experiences. Like many therapists I am trained to work with a range of difficulties, but I have a particular interest in working with clients who have experienced childhood trauma and difficulties such as self-harm that can often associated with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder / Borderline Personality Disorder / Complex PTSD.

Although I work in the present moment to understand someone’s difficulties and reasons for therapy, I believe our past does play a role and understanding through reflection on these experiences and how they inform the individual today is key for being able to make the changes the individual is wanting.

Finding and choosing a therapist can feel like a big step, particularly if you have struggled with your difficulties for a while. Its important to find a therapist with whom you feel able to be open with and who you think can help you. I offer prospective clients a free 20 minute consultation in the first instance. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other a little and for me to understand your difficulties and reasons for seeking therapy. During this call you can also get a feel for how I work and ask any questions you might have. We can also talk about initial treatment goals and how many sessions you might be wanting. If following this call you would like to work with me I ask clients to drop me an email to confirm this is to avoid any potential pressure to agree to therapy on the call. If we both feel we can work together we’ll arrange a first appointment to begin therapy. If I don’t feel we can work together I will explain why – normally this is because I will not have the skills or training to help you work on your difficulties and towards your goals.

I incorporate other trainings into my practice including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mentalization Based Therapy and most frequently Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Sometimes I find clients benefit from a psychotherapy approach but also learning what I describe as ‘tools for the toolbox’ so they can leave therapy equipped with a better understanding of themselves and also practical ways to overcome difficulties if needed.

I have over 10 years experience in mental health within the NHS and private providers having first trained as a mental health nurse prior to undertaking further therapy training at MSc level. I continue to work in the NHS within a specialist Complex Emotional Needs Service where I primarily deliver a DBT programme for clients who self-harm / struggle with suicidal thoughts, they may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder / Borderline Personality Disorder.