Orla Blakelock (my pronouns are They/them)

Hello, my name is Orla (they/them), welcome to my page.

 I am trained as an integrative relational therapist. I am culturally attuned in my work and call upon multiple therapeutic theories including: person-centred, psychodynamic and transpersonal.

  I practice with curiosity, creativity and empathy to help you unfold your story and have a space that honours you. When helpful to your process I use dramatic role play, music, drawing, writing, mindfulness and body work as therapeutic aids to help with self-expression. I work with clients to break down hierarchy and encourage empowerment in the therapeutic process, human to human. 

I  offer you a safe and understanding space in which you can explore whatever  is on your mind. No problem is too small or too big, because you matter.

 I am trauma-informed and work deeply with clients to identify the wounds holding them back in life, helping them to lean into the pain so it can receive the attention it needs to heal. We are taught to avoid or fix our pain; this is a misguided myth; in the context of therapy the solution is in building enough trust in the therapeutic relationship to make space for your experience to breathe. In doing this inner freedom begins to be enabled. It's hard work, but it's heart work, and I am here to guide and hold you in this process. 

I work with a wide variety of issues including: abuse (including narcissistic abuse), sexual trauma, racial trauma and identity, bipolar disorder, depression, LQBTQ+ (including gender dysphoria and transitioning), empath and HSP (highly sensitive people) challenges, redundancy, relationship issues, codependency, hearing voices, low self-esteem, stress, bereavement, inner child work, addiction recovery (including sex and love addiction), anxiety, self-harm and other forms of emotional distress. 

Working with issues concerning intersectionality and identity journeying are areas of particular passion for me. For those it is meaningful to, I identify as a Non-binary, Queer person with British and European heritage. I have ADHD and mental health lived experience; my lived experience informs my practice and I provide an inclusive space in which all aspects of identity can be honoured and repaired where there has been shame planted. Whether you have had wounding in your identity as a result of your age, gender, sexual preference, sexual orientation, kink identity, relationship diversity, religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, neurodiversity, health, heritage, education, social background, class or political belief - together we can cultivate an environment in which you can move through the fire of that shame and walk out into empowerment and pride.