Welcome to Anna Carver
About Me
I have had a broad life experience, walking many paths before finding the one of therapy:
From cook to mental health support worker with ex-offenders; then from PhD student to (in late rebellion) carpenter and joiner; then from life skills tutor for young people with learning difficulties to mental health advocate and finally to therapist.
I am of mixed cultural heritage and so have a personal understanding of both white privilege along with that which comes from lived hidden difference.
I understand the complexity of intersectionality and the marginalisation that can result from it.
My Approach
My core belief system is Person-Centred, though I have been influenced by Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Object Relations theories along my own learning and therapeutic journey. I use Eye Movement and Desensitisation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (see Trauma and EMDR page)
I believe we all come into the world vulnerable and dependent,
AND with an inherent and biological wisdom to equip us to lead fulfilling lives of quality with mutually rewarding relationships
......... and then life happens!!
Veils can begin to form that obscure the connection between our consciousness and this wisdom: emotional, intellectual and bodily.
We may have experiences that have taught us to ignore or turn away from our own truth because it doesn’t feel welcome in the outer world; thoughts and feelings relevant to these past experiences continue to control us in the present; strategies that worked in the past no longer do because they are not being adapted by our current inner truth at the same time this inner truth is fighting to be heard
Everything can feel unclear and we can feel lost
or it can feel dark and stormy and we can experience great turbulence inside
I also believe that in dialogue with a non-judgmental, present and empathic other, our own truth can begin to shine through these veils and obstructions, so that we can then move through life with greater clarity, confidence and satisfaction.
My Training
BA Honours Degree in Psychology, Manchester University
Post Graduate Diploma in Person Centred Counselling
Gestalt Certificate in Working with Couples
Certificate in Integrative Supervision
Diploma in Supervision, Gestalt Centre
EMDR Europe registered practitioner
My Ethical Code
As a senior accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I adhere to their Ethical Framework. I also follow the Metanoia Institute’s code of ethics.
Counselling
There are times in life when we can all feel emotional distress and pain, confusion or shame in response to life events such as redundancy, deteriorating social, family or work relationships, illness...
Trauma, PTSD and EMDR
Please take a moment to read this succinct excerpt taken from emdrassociation.org.uk to explain trauma, it’s impact and how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) works.