I'm Ailsa, a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist, Chartered Psychologist and wellbeing coach based in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
I have over 8 years professional experience working with children, young people and adults using motivation and lifestyle counselling, Dance Movement Psychotherapy and other creative, active, mindful and body-oriented methods. I am registered and accredited with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (RDMP), which is a member of the Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy college of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am also a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (CPsychol).
I am experienced in working with depression, anxiety and panic, stress, changing habits, relationship and family problems, confidence & self-esteem, workplace issues, eating disorders/nutrition issues, body image, obesity, athletic concerns, psychotic illness and developmental disorders such as autism and asperger's. I also work with more general or 'everyday' problems such as career dilemmas, parenting/caring stress and managing family lifestyle.
With the right help and support, there is light at the end of the tunnel for all these challenges.
As well as my work within different clinical settings (NHS, educational, sports/exercise and Mental Health and Social Care), I am a lecturer and researcher in behaviour change, health exercise & performance psychology, and creative, innovative & active psychological therapies at the University of Salford. I also guest lecture in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at the University of Derby. I have previously acted as a Trustee for an eating disorder charity, and currently undertake an annual charity trip to Uganda to empower children and communities using physical activity games and community health education.
I use a holistic, humanistic and integrative approach to helping others, as I have found that lasting change can only come about through addressing the whole – mind, body and 'spirit'. Using creativity and mindful body awareness enables people to access a completely new perspective and different ways of encountering and managing their problems, and this brings about powerful insights and shifts in mindset.
Rather than turn attention outwards in your wellbeing endeavour, I will encourage you to develop greater awareness of your own internal senses and mechanisms as the most important signpost. At the heart of this way of working lies a client-centred ethos, so that you always feel safe and in complete control of the pace, process and focus of the work.
I see individual clients at Cheadle Holistic Therapies – a pleasant and tranquil space in south Manchester, easily accessible from major transport routes along Kingsway (A34).
If you have any questions or would just like more information, I welcome your enquiries – please feel free to get in touch below.