The parts of you that learned to survive are welcome here.
Reconnecting with what feels true.
Unmet attachment needs can lead to a disconnect between what we know logically, and what we feel. Struggling to bridge the gap between our intellectual and emotional minds can leave us feeling disempowered and stuck in a loop of emotional time travel. The Felt Sense aims to create a place to slow down and heal the wounds that prevent us from embodying our healthy adult self.
The name The Felt Sense is inspired by the subtle, intangible intuition that we carry within our body. It is often difficult to articulate, but it longs to be acknowledged. Trauma can generate learned coping responses that distract from and often numb this quiet knowing, as we attempt to shut out the pain affecting our inner world experiences. My hope is that through our work together, we can create the safety to truly listen inwards. By creating a connection with that inner knowing, we can build self-trust, autonomy and empowerment. Above all else, I hope The Felt Sense feels like a place where you can exhale, with no expectations to perform or show up in any way other than your authentic self. Every part of your experience is welcome, and it is through warmth and curiosity that I endeavour to tap into your felt sense that this is true.
About Lauren
I'm Lauren, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. My path into this work has been shaped by both professional training, and my own lived experience as an AuDHDer. It has taught me that brains vary widely, and despite a society heavily geared towards neurotypical needs, there is no single “right” way to process the world, I understand the impact of masking, and how this can alter our authentic self-perception and identity.
This is why my sessions are always flexible and free of rigid expectations. There is no pressure to sit perfectly still, tell a story coherently or chronologically, or make eye contact. You are welcome and encouraged to pause, stim and show your authentic self as we make sense of your world together. In order to feel safe, therapy needs to be collaborative and built to suit your needs, rather than imposing expectations on how you show up.
My work is grounded in trauma-informed and neuroaffirming practice, and I recognise that many of the ways that we learn to cope can be through pain-based behaviours that have developed for valid reasons. I'm particularly passionate about supporting people who have experienced trauma, shame and a powerful inner-critic, and the lasting impact of feeling different or misunderstood. I enjoy witnessing emotional growth, as people realise their capability in changing engrained patterns, and building a healthy-adult driven, meaningful life.
Whatever has brought you here, you're welcome exactly as you are.