Natasha Wicks Mind Matters – Helping you to help yourself

Most people find the idea of coming to therapy or counselling quite daunting. Some are deterred by the thought of talking with a stranger, or they are fearful of being judged. Your relationship with any counsellor will be built on trust. All your communication will be in a safe and confidential environment, which is an essential part of counselling. Once the initial tentative stage is over, most people find that having someone to talk to who is a stranger is, in actual fact, very liberating.

Having the capacity to think and feel emotions with clarity and self-awareness is an essential part of being human; but it’s not something that we are all innately able to do, or even generally taught how to do. As your counsellor, I can give you my thoughts and point of view, but more importantly, I will help and guide you to find your own solutions, paving the way to your own recovery.

You could be at any stage of your life, there is no specific time or set of circumstances that could lead someone towards counselling or therapy. It’s often when we encounter a sense of overwhelming frustration, anxiety, a feeling of being trapped or unable to move forward that we find the courage to reach out for help.

Spoken Therapies

Counselling

Counselling is the process of assisting and guiding people. It is a “talking therapy”, to resolve personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties.

Whilst a generic term, it perfectly sums up a broad spectrum of spoken therapies that help to manage stresses attributed to everyday despondency, anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, depression, relationship challenges, bereavement and loss. It can help you to regenerate your zest for life.

Counselling allows people to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and comfortable environment. With help and guidance, issues become clearer and so too, the steps that need to be taken to resolve them.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a powerful psychotherapy technique used in the treatment of psychological trauma arising from a diverse range of traumatic life experiences. It is effectively used to treat PTSD and other mood/anxiety disorders such as Depression, Phobias and Panic Disorder.

EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of its simplicity and the fact that it can bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress.

I will teach you techniques to handle any emotions or feelings you may experience during the session or afterwards. This is an important stage as it allows you to ‘unpack’ during sessions, but still go on with your daily life afterwards.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

We all learn our coping mechanisms at a very young age but not all the influences we are exposed to at that tender stage are good. Unlike some other therapies, CBT does not lead you back down the path to your past but rather keeps you in the present, positively breaking down problems into smaller portions that are easier to deal with and finding tangible and constructive ways to help you improve your state of mind on a day to day basis.

Our emotions often cast us off from our safe zones and no matter how present you might feel during talking treatments, you can still be left feeling adrift after each session. CBT gives you a powerful toolbox to carry with you and assist you everyday.

Touch Therapy

Cuddle Therapy

Touch triggers a cascade of healing chemical responses including a decrease in stress hormones and an increase in dopamine levels and serotonin (the happy hormone). Additionally, touch has been shown to increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity, thereby helping the body to maintain its defenses. Without human contact, we are more susceptible to anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inattention, increased stress hormones and cortisol levels.

During my time as a Mental Health Therapist I have found myself in situations where I have felt my client would benefit from a hug. As an accredited Cuddle Therapist, I can remove the ethical constraints that would otherwise be in place, with extremely rewarding results.

Learn more about Cuddle Therapy here

I am a registered and insured therapist with Cuddle Professionals International, having completed their certified diploma course and observe CPI’s Ethical Touch Protocols. As a Cuddle Therapist I have personally been featured in a variety of national newspapers, magazines and online media. Enjoy some of the features below.

Cuddle Therapy is regularly featured in the media, from Good Housekeeping, The Sunday Times, Grazia, AskMen to GB News, ITV’s This Morning and Radio 4, amongst others . To find out more about Cuddle Therapy, visit CPI’s website here.

Helping you to help yourself

A safe place to find your balance in a world full of demands

Testimonials

I’ve recently started EMDR with Natasha, finally feeling confident that I can start to work though trauma with someone by my side. Natasha has given me the tools to be able to tap into my safe space in my mind so that when I am feeling overwhelmed and panicked I am able to cope. For the first time in a long time I feel hopeful for my future, and that is all thanks to Natasha.

So balanced and honest and warm… thank you so much

I have been around Natasha whilst I’ve been in a very vulnberable state and she was nothing but calm, balanced, honest, caring and warm. It’s who she is as a person as she recognises the gravity of helping people during their most vulnerable time and does not take the reposbility lightly. I’m so glad she chooses to help other people.

Trusting Natasha to help me is the best decision I’ve ever made.

I reached out to Natasha when I was at a very dark point in my life. Having previously struggled to engage with any kind of therapy and being nervous to let my guard down, I was apprehensive about trusting someone new. But trusting Natasha to me is the best decision I’ve ever made. From our first session, Natasha has made me feel completely at ease. Cuddle therapy has become by safe space; with Natasha, I feel safe, cared for, and comfortable to express my emotions. I’ve been able to make positive changes to my life and I couldn’t have done it without her ongoing support.

She greeted me with a hug, just like an old friend.

I recently visited Natasha for a 90 minute appointment, this was my second appointment with Natasha but the gap was way too long, extended of course by Covid and other obstacles, it was so good to see her again.

Natasha is a very warm, open and generous human being, she greeted me with a hug, just like an old friend, it was a lovely start to our session.

After a quick change into something more comfortable, I had taken a pair of lounge pants and a tee shirt to change into, we went into her very comfortable lounge and we settled down on the couch, it was so nice and comfortable to be close to Natasha’s warmth, snuggling was so cosy and relaxing, it was exactly what I needed. The time, as usual, seem to fly by, planning to visit again but sooner rather than later this time.

Her pricing is reasonable and affordable.

So I sought out Natasha as a private therapist as I was let down so many times by the NHS. It was good to learn her pricing is reasonable and affordable. The sessions with Natasha have proved so valuable to me with the knowledge she has. I fully recommend her and am grateful for her sessions.

Natasha helped bring a sense of calm back into my life.

Suffering with depression and anxiety was such an isolating feeling for me. I constantly felt unsafe, vulnerable and low. Seeing Natasha helped bring a sense of calm back into my life. She created a safe space free of any judgement where I could share my thoughts and feel heard, seen and present again. A large part of my recovery grew from that feeling and I can’t speak highly enough of Natasha.

Whether I needed a long silent hug, a download of my thoughts and feelings, a chance to escape or even a more general chat, Natasha was always there. Not having to worry about the mood I was in, or how bad my symptoms were, allowed me to talk and share more openly and freely. Natasha is not only a great listener but she also talks from a place of genuine care and I could really feel that in my sessions. Since seeing Natasha I have become a much more open person who is less afraid to talk about myself and my struggles with mental health.

A brilliant listener…

Natasha is kind, wise and a brilliant listener. She is really skilled in analysing the words being spoken and validating, and explaining, emotions. I rate her very highly and would recommend her to anyone.

An absence of awkwardness from the start…

I would have no hesitation in recommending Natasha. She takes the time to explain how the cuddle therapy works, and ensures that there is an absence of awkwardness from the start. Natasha demonstrates a deep understanding of a variety of life experiences, and how to assist clients in dealing with those experiences. She presents a non-judgemental approach and demonstrates a high level of empathy. These enable the client to quickly trust Natasha and feel safe in sharing their situation with her.