Bernadette Musker, Psychotherapist Relationship & Therapeutic Coach

I am a UKCP Registered Integrative Psychotherapist, Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and ICF Accreditted Coach. I was awarded an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy in 2010 from Middlesex University, London and a Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy from the Metanoia Institute, London. I also have a Postgrad Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy (2014) and I am particularly interested in working with couples and individuals who are experiencing relationship problems. I am also an ACC Certified Coach having trained with Optimus Coaching Academy, UK. I have extensive experience working with trauma and have also trained as a mindfulness teacher. As an Integrative Practitioner I work in a relational way utilising many different approaches and which I feel are best suited to my clients and their particular needs. I bring all my clinical experience as a Psycbotherapist to my coaching practice, and vice versa, as we explore your challenges and goals. This means I aim to offer the most appropriate therapy for the individual rather than a particular style of therapy which is not always suitable for each individual client and their unique personal circumstances.

I believe we are all capable of reaching our true potential and I will work with you to enable you to reach your goals and be your authentic self. Either through coaching or through therapy, or a combination of both. If you want to make a change in your life, what's holding you back? I can help you to delve deeper and uncover how you might be self sabotaging yourself so you can realise your goals and meet your aspirations. I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals and couples to achieve positive change, through the use of Positive Psychology, Neuroscience, Transactional Analysis, CBT and other developmental models. How I work and my Relational Model My model for practising psychotherapy is both developmental and relational. Theories with a key emphasis on the responsiveness and attunement of the child’s primary care givers, together with the environmental impact on the developing self, form the foundations of my way of working. As an integrative practitioner, my relational model of working is constructed from key ideas which are central to my values and beliefs. From birth and throughout our early years, the quality of care received from our primary caregivers will have a direct bearing on the quality of our mental health and our emotional resilience. The quality of our early relationships teach us how to be in the world and strongly impact our relationships with others and ourselves and can have a positive or negative impact on our sense of self. Our ability to deal with stress or trauma in later life will be strongly influenced by the security of our early attachment relationships. These early relationships help us construct our internal self structures and strongly impact our ability to regulate our emotional stability and resilience and help us deal effectively with adversity. These foundations underpin the therapeutic relationship too, as just as relationships have derailed the emerging sense of self, so too can they help to heal and repair the injured self through the attunement and responsiveness of the therapist. I help you understand your own personal journey and how your experiences in life and relationships shape your perceptions and self beliefs. It is possible to recondition your inner dialogue to enable a stronger sense of self, improve your self confidence and help you realise your goals and achieve your full potential.

I view Psychotherapy as Personal Development and an investment in yourself. I believe everyone wants to be the best person they can be. Once you are aware of your narrative it will be easier to understand how your life story and past experiences impact you in the present. The more aware you are of what makes you tick and why you respond in the way you do in different situations, the easier it will be for you to change.

I want you to be the best person you can be and it is very fulfilling to help others reach their full potential and become happier and healthier individuals. We all have struggles in life and there are times when we need extra support and someone to talk to. I am passionate about my work and have over 20 years of experience helping individuals both within my private practice and working within major public and private organisations. Let me help you make the changes you want in your life to enable you to reach your true potential and to live your best life to become your authentic self.

"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind".

When choosing someone to work with, the most important thing is to find a person you can relate to and trust. Research has shown it is not the therapeutic model which makes the difference, it is the relationship between the client and the therapist or coach. It is also important to chose someone who has experience and is qualified in their field.