Alexandra Stevens

I am a Gestalt psychotherapist and accredited EMDR practitioner. I trained at the Gestalt Centre London and qualified in 2015 as an individual and group psychotherapist. As part of my training and since qualifying I’ve worked as a group facilitator for a domestic violence organisation, as an associate tutor at the University of Surrey on the counselling doctoral programme, as lead therapist for a major psychiatric clinic and as an EMDR therapist in a residential clinic for complex trauma.

Since qualifying I have been passionate about continuing my learning. I have trained in cognitive based therapies such as Schema Therapy, CBT and DBT. I also have a lifelong interest in the relationship between body, mind and emotions. I have practiced yoga and meditation for many years and this led me to train in Polyvagal Therapy and Sensorimotor Therapy. I work in an embodied way with clients where appropriate.

I specialise in working with complex trauma including developmental trauma. I gained additional training in attachment-focussed EMDR at the Parnell Institute. I have worked with a wide range of issues that can result from trauma such as Dissociative Identity Disorder, Bi-polar and Borderline Personality Disorder as well as anxiety, depression and relational issues, amongst others.

Before training as a therapist, I worked extensively with refugee communities in a Not-for-Profit organisation running training schemes for adults and young people. My interest in other cultures motivated me to study for a BA degree in Development Studies. I have also worked as a tour representative in the Moroccan and Corsican mountains and as an English teacher, to name a few of my past jobs. My varied work experience means I have met with people from many different walks of life and from varied socio-cultural backgrounds. This solid life experience gives me a grounded and empathetic approach and a real curiosity and respect for each individual I work with. As a person of mixed heritage, I am also comfortable working with issues of diversity, shame and identity.

I agree with the Gestalt principle that each of us is doing the best we can with the resources we have available to us. I view ‘symptoms’ as a creative (if outdated) way we tried to overcome a difficult situation. With the correct support from a collaborative therapeutic relationship we are able to shift old unhelpful patterns and create new ways of being and behaving that leave us feeling more empowered and whole.