Hannah Murdoch

Welcome, My name is Hannah, BSc(Hons,) MA, Dip Sup Gestalt 

I am an experienced Body Movement Psychotherapist, Couples therapist and Supervisor working in Bristol, Stroud and online. This might be your first experience looking for therapy or you may have had therapy before but are now looking for something that includes a more creative, embodied approach. People come to therapy for many different reasons which are entirely personal to them, but often it is at a point when there is a recognition of the need for some additional assistance or when previous strategies may not be working so well. I aim to create a welcoming, safe and consistent space, so that we can work with whatever you want to bring at a pace and depth that is right for you. 

I work with the whole person in mind, bringing experience and sensitivity to people’s different traditions, personal, cultural and spiritual beliefs and many different world views. I work with all orientations of individuals and couples, heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ 

I have 25 years’ experience of working with the body and movement in psychotherapy, within the NHS, social care and now privately. My experience also includes working as a lecturer on the MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths University, as a senior physiotherapist NHS, and as training manager for pathways to wellbeing teaching ‘The Body Mind Approach’. 

Psychotherapy 

Body Movement Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that not only uses words but also uses the body, movement and creative processes to make sense of personal experiences and move through times of difficulty. Sessions may include the use of verbal and non-verbal elements to help support the connection between different aspects of themselves, facilitating self-awareness, self-expression and personal growth. 

Clients do not have to have any prior experience of body work or using creative art forms to benefit from this type of psychotherapy. 

Sessions can help with issues associated with : 

· depression and anxiety 

· the effects of bereavement and separation 

· life transitions 

· self confidence, & self limiting belief systems 

· relationship difficulties 

· body image, sexuality & identity 

· stress related issues including PTSD

· history of trauma and/or abuse 

· neurological injury (eg. stroke, head injury) FND 

· overwhelming feelings 

· life limiting conditions, or hard to treat physical symptoms 

Couples and Relationship Therapy 

Intimate relationships can bring much to our lives, they can be experienced as loving and fulfilling but also challenging and painful. If things aren’t going so well it can often leave people feeling frustrated and confused, not knowing what to do or where to go next. It might be that you have come to a point in your relationship where you feel that you are just off track, stuck, in crisis or are even questioning whether to continue, this could be for a number of reasons. 

These are some of the common reasons people come to couples therapy for help: 

· improving communication 

· coping with life changes e.g. moving in together, bereavement, redundancy, marriage 

· developing and improving intimacy and sexual connection 

· addressing affairs, betrayal, or trust issues 

· managing anger, conflict, and power struggles 

· maintaining personal freedom and individuality 

· changes in life stage or role (menopause, parenthood, carer) 

· ill health, life limiting conditions 

· strengthening commitment, shared vision, and values 

· being/becoming parents or integrating families 

Whatever the challenges you're facing as a couple, I can help you open up conversations safely to be able to explore these issues in more depth. I also bring my experience working with creativity and the body in psychotherapy to help guide and support the process. I aim to create an environment where you can both come and begin to really listen to one another and to feel heard. I endeavour to understand how life is for each one of you, without blame or taking sides. Together we can explore patterns of relating, areas of challenge and resource, and what might help you to move forwards. 

Supervision 

I offer supervision to both trainee and qualified psychotherapists, arts/body psychotherapists, counsellors and other health professionals that are looking for a model that uses verbal, creative and embodied approaches within supervision. I use an integrative model in supervision and find that using a mixture of approaches can be a rewarding and effective way of getting to the heart of the matter when reflecting on clinical work. 

This creative model of supervision often gives unexpected and valuable insights into therapy with clients and can help to support therapists with their developing practice. I have experience supervising therapists working in a variety of different organisational settings and client populations. I offer group and individual supervision in person and online and have experience providing supervision for individuals, charitable organisations and academic institutions. I hold a Diploma in Supervision with The Gestalt Centre for Psychotherapy UK, and attend regular supervision for my work.