Hey there! I'm Alexandra.

I'm a working-class therapist using hypnotherapy, EMDR for psychological trauma, and creative play for personal exploration for people on low incomes. At IMAGINE with Alexandra we understand first-hand how some forms of therapy, especially creative-based therapies, are too expensive for most people and offer my time using a sacred-economic model of gift giving. In other words, we exchange goods or skills for my time, input, and witness to your life. You can choose from a variety of sessions; take a look and see which feels best for your needs.

The Dialogue Sessions.

The DIALOGUE SESSIONS

We meet to discuss what's going on for you. Bring your troubles, your big and little sadnesses, the things that plague and pester, even the pleasant moments that linger like chocolate, and we will dig beneath the surface to discover your meanings and their relevance to the grander story of your life. In other words, we chat over a cup of tea.

The Dialogue Sessions are not the same as psychotherapy or counselling; there is no expert in the relationship. The sessions are similar to engaging with an emotional support worker. The aim is to side-step the medical model; you have probably done all that stuff before anyway. Neither do we look at your life through the dichotomy of 'sick/well', 'crazy/sane', 'normal/abnormal'. I think we're all kinda crazy, it's a mad world. Instead, we seek to discover, understand, and integrate who you are without the pressure of personality change or symptom reduction at the core of the encounter. The sessions are perfect for people experiencing inner conflict or change who want to talk about it with someone who cares but is not involved in their daily life. The sessions also support people who think differently from their circles and want a sounding board for their feelings and thoughts.

What to expect

Honesty, empathy, and space to reflect and contemplate. Many people bring experiences they fear telling their therapist for the fear of being branded 'mad', such as otherworldly experiences, dreams, imaginary friends, daydreams, synchronicities, limerent longings and transendent moments. I have a specific interest in the lives of daydreamers and the richness of the material that can arise to birth the true self.

Equality

In an attempt to loosen the power dynamics of therapist vs client and mad vs sane inherent in most helping relationships, the Dialogue Sessions rest on a premise similar to those of co-counselling and peer support models: you will be treated as the expert of your own life. My role is to walk alongside you on the adventure - like Sam to your Frodo.

What you can expect

*Confidential conversation.
Respect for your right to be different to me and others.
Empathy (I'll always try to feel things from your point of view.)
Open-mindedness (I do not belong to any political, spiritual or psychological tribe, but I do have a deep interest in ideas, concepts, structures, politics, spirituality, religion, and people.)
Free expression (I will not police your language or personal meanings, but may question what these things symbolise to you and form your approach to life.)
Suicide prevention (I am trained in suicide first aid and will talk openly with you about staying alive. After my time facilitating support groups with Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide and seeing the impact on those left behind, I am not a suicide affirmative person, and I will intervene.)

*confidentiality is within the context of UK law. I will break confidentiality if you reveal that you or someone you know is abusing a child or vulnerable adult, or planning to die by suicide. I will signpost you to specialised organisations that can support you further with these thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Fee: gift economy

Exchange skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, previous dialoguers exchanged items such as yoga sessions, paintings, pots of honey, books, rice, and bread. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis.

The imagine sessions

IMAGINE single session therapy [online]

Length: approx 2 hours.

Combines: exploration time, hypnotherapy, EMDR, and therapeutic writing/symbol/sound making. Includes a hypnotherapy recording and contemplation for self-post-session treatment.

Perfect for single issues such as:

imposter syndrome,
procrastination,
creative blocks,
creative motivation,
pitching anxiety,
networking anxiety,
stage fright,
outcome obsession,
rehearsal anxiety,
completion anxiety/starting anxiety
rejection sensitivity,
fear of success/fear of failure,
maladaptive daydreaming.

Considerations: Are you generally satisfied, but do you have a specific issue affecting your creative life that you'd like to explore further? Single-session therapy is excellent for solution-focused change, but for deeper exploration, the multi-session approach is more appropriate.

Fee: gift economy - exchange skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, previous dialoguers exchanged items such as drawings, pots of honey, books, rice, and bread. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis. (Subsequent sessions open in Jan 2026, book soon.)

IMAGINE multi-session therapy [online or in-person]

Length: approx 2 hours.

Duration: 1 session per week for 4 weeks. (or fortnightly/monthly depending on personal capacity)

Combines exploration, parts hypnotherapy, and therapeutic writing/symbol/sound making. Includes a post-session creative project and regular check-ins via email or WhatsApp.

Perfect for combination issues such as:

inner child play sessions: self-esteem and rejection sensitivity
inner teenager reclaimation sessions: shame and addiction
ownership sessions: social media addiction and creativity comparison paralysis
Reclaiming sessions: recovery from industry bullying and exploitation

Considerations: Is this the right time? Multi-meet sessions are weekly and intensive. We agree on a post-session creative project together for the next session's discussion. The depth of these sessions can provoke post-session contemplation, change, and emotional release. For instance, if you are in the middle of a run, tour or project, these sessions are not ideal. If you are resting after a run/tour/production/publication, it might be the right time.

Fee: gift economy.

Exchange: skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, previous Imaginers exchanged items such as yoga sessions, paintings, books, and music lessons. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis. (Subsequent sessions open in Jan 2026, book soon.)

IMAGINE creative self sessions [online or in-person]

Length: approx 2 hours.

Duration: 1 session per week for 8 weeks. (taken weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on capacity)

Combines: trauma-informed exploration, parts hypnotherapy, EMDR, and therapeutic writing/symbol/sound making. Includes a post-session creative project and nervous system regulation training, along with check-ins via email or WhatsApp between sessions.

Perfect for complex issues such as:

recovery from adverse childhood experiences
shame and addiction recovery
social media addiction
post cancellation support
cancellation anxiety
industry bullying and exploitation recovery
post-traumatic experience recovery
post-traumatic relationship recovery
identity confusion recovery
maladaptive daydreaming recovery
post-cult recovery (new-age, new-thought, new-politics)
free speech and self-censoring recovery.

Considerations: Is this the right time? The Creative Self sessions are weekly and intensive, exploring your creative identity, how you express yourself, and the reasons behind it. The sessions aim to reduce long-standing issues that influence your creative life. The depth of the sessions can provoke post-session contemplation, change and emotional release. For instance, if you are in the middle of a run, tour or project, these sessions are not ideal. If you are resting after a run/tour/production/publication, it might be the right time.

Fee: gift economy.

Exchange skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, previous imaginers exchanged items such as bedding, artwork, and theatre tickets. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis. (Subsequent sessions open in Jan 2026, book soon.)

Parts hypnotherapy sessions

Have you ever said, "Part of me wants to, but another part doesn't"? Parts hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that aims to alleviate the discomfort of inner conflict by exploring the various parts within our psyche. Parts hypnotherapy enables you to understand and often resolve inner conflict, presenting as:

addiction (sex, vaping, alcohol, food, drugs, co-dependence)
identity confusion
limerance
people pleasing
health anxiety
abusive tendencies
toxic behaviour
phobias
indecision and self-doubt
post-cult recovery
low self-esteem
low mood
disordered eating

What to expect

You'll have four sessions of hypnotherapy and exploration of the part through art-making and/or writing.

Session one: Identification of Parts.

You learn how to identify your different parts and understand their roles. This helps to create a sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Session two: Dialogue with Parts.

Under hypnosis, you will engage in a dialogue with these parts, allowing them to express their needs, fears, and motivations. This can help to reveal underlying issues that may be affecting your life.

Session three: Integrating your parts.

The goal is to foster harmony among these parts, enabling them to work together more effectively. This can lead to greater inner peace and improved emotional well-being.

Session Four: Future Focusing and Reinforcement.

Under hypnosis, your parts will have their new roles and a future way of being and behaving reinforced.

Considerations: If you feel your presenting issue is due to trauma, you may need to integrate EMDR into sessions over a more extended period of time (6-12 sessions). To discuss this further, email me in the contact box below.

Mindfulness tuition

Many people sigh and roll their eyes when the word mindfulness is used, and I understand. Not only can mindfulness be challenging to master, but it can also make trauma symptoms and physical pain feel worse before relief is found. Yet, mindfulness is still an excellent practice for both pain management and trauma recovery; it just takes time and perseverance. If you have ever been advised to learn meditation but don't know where to start, the Mellow Sessions could be just what you need.

Benefits can include.

Deep Stress Relief
Mindfulness provides a potent tool for alleviating the overwhelming stress that often accompanies trauma, helping you find calm amidst chaos and reclaim a sense of safety.

Empowering Emotional Regulation
By cultivating mindfulness, you can learn to observe your emotions without judgment, empowering you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively to triggers.

Enhanced Self-Awareness
Mindfulness encourages a profound understanding of the impact trauma has on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, fostering healing and personal growth.

Greater Emotional Resilience
Practising mindfulness strengthens your ability to cope with trauma-related challenges, allowing you to face difficulties with more confidence and grace.

Reduced intrusive thoughts
Mindfulness invites you to stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the power of intrusive thoughts and memories associated with past trauma and helping you cultivate inner peace.

Safe Exploration of Inner Experiences
Mindfulness creates safety when exploring uncomfortable emotions. Ever heard someone say 'I'll meditate on it'? Mindfulness can be a great way to uncover complex problems by allowing the mind to rest and the answer to emerge from within its depths.

Improved Sleep Quality
Mindfulness has been shown to promote relaxation and calmness, leading to better sleep, which is crucial for those recovering from trauma.

Reduction of Anxiety and Hyperarousal
Mindfulness techniques can help mitigate anxiety and hyperarousal symptoms linked to trauma, allowing you to experience more moments of calm and clarity.

Facilitated Healing and Integration
By fostering acceptance and compassion towards yourself, mindfulness helps you integrate traumatic experiences into your life narrative, promoting healing through understanding.

Restoration of Autonomy and Power
Mindfulness empowers you to reconnect with your body and senses, restoring a sense of agency and control over your own experience.

What to expect
We will meet for 10 one-to-one sessions, online or in-person, and embark on a series of sessions to help you integrate a meaningful mindfulness practice, tailored to your needs, into your life. Sessions provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and review your progress. You will also receive a guided meditation to listen to between sessions.

Fee: gift economy - exchange skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, people in the past have exchanged items such as drawings, pots of honey, books, rice, and bread. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis. (Subsequent sessions open in Jan 2026, book soon.)

The doodling and writing sessions

The therapeutic doodling and writing sessions encourage self-expression, they involve using stream of consciousness writing and drawing as a tool for emotional healing and self-discovery. Here are some key aspects the sessions encourage.

Self-Reflection.
Writing about personal experiences encourages reflection and increases empathy for self and others.

Emotional Catharsis.
Putting your emotions into words can alleviate emotional distress and provide an outlet for pent-up emotions, allowing individuals to process complicated feelings such as grief, anger, or anxiety.

Storytelling.
Therapeutic writing often involves re-scripting your life's narratives or reworking specific events. Through storytelling, you can reframe your experiences and find new perspectives.

Creative Expression.
Engaging in creative writing, such as poetry, journaling, or fiction, can help you gain clarity about your feelings on a topic or experience, promoting self-acceptance and authenticity.

Enhanced Communication.
For some, therapeutic writing enhances their ability to express emotions and communicate more effectively with others. It can create a bridge between internal feelings and external expression, helping individuals articulate their needs and boundaries more effectively.

What to expect.
You are invited to bring an experience to explore during the session (e.g., a job loss, divorce, or the arrival of a new baby). If you prefer to explore your inner world instead, we can integrate active imagination techniques. During the session, you'll be guided through a writing or drawing exercise. We will take some time to explore your creations together, facilitating a deeper understanding and integration of their meanings.

Fee: gift economy - exchange skills, services, or food. If anxious about what this means, previous doodlers exchanged items such as drawings, pots of honey, books, rice, and bread. If this feels too daunting, you can still use cash by donating to my KoFi instead, on a 'pay what you can' basis. (Subsequent sessions open in Jan 2026, book soon.)

Common questions

Q. Do I have to be creative?

A. No, you do not have to see yourself as creative. As Camus wrote, "The aim of art, on the contrary, is not to legislate or reign supreme, but rather to understand first of all". In this light, your creative project is not an assessment of your creative skills or aptitude but inspires an awakening of the creative principle that is available within us all. It can help with:

Processing complex emotions.
Overcoming fear and self-doubt.
Increase empathy for self and others.
Reclamation of self and identity after abuse.
Self-reflection and understanding, much like a mirror shows you yourself.

As Jung writes, "we never need to ask ourselves what the material consists of or what it means, but this question forces itself upon us as soon as we enter the visionary mode of creation". These questions are what we will explore together, and you will be supported and guided every step of the way.

Q. Can I pay cash instead of gifting?

"If you're in trouble or hurt or need - go to poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones." John Steinbeck.

A. I'm aware that the gift economy can feel daunting for many people; it's an old way of paying for services that can feel intimidating. When I first encountered it, I was unsure if I had a skill or exchange worth the service I wanted to pay for. Don't be discouraged, drop me an email. If you are really struggling to accept the structure, or don't want to participate that way, you can still use cash by paying "what you can" via my KoFi without feeling you must explain your reasons.

Q. Are sessions confidential?

A. All sessions are confidential, *subject to the limits of UK law. I will never ask you to provide a testimonial or share/advertise anything related to my therapy services on social media. You will not be required to take part in any of my research or future publications. You will get a contract before therapy begins, outlining what you can expect and your client's rights.

*UK law requires disclosure of information in cases of actual child and vulnerable adult abuse, violent plan towards a third party, and terrorism

Why I became a therapist

When I was eighteen, I was diagnosed with clinical depression (they didn't know it was PTSD back then). After finding no answers in the psychiatric system, I picked up the book "On Becoming a Person" by renowned psychologist Carl R. Rogers in the local library. I read the words, "What is most personal is most universal" and the concept changed my life. I began my journey towards becoming a therapist and a person finally living beyond clinical depression.

Creative writing and painting played a crucial role in my recovery. I had not created since I had been at school, and given up writing due to struggles with dyslexia. It was a talented analyst who requested that I write down my life story, and the act of writing re-connected me with a part of me I had abandoned. With this part of me intergated, life became more than livable, it shone with hope. I became curious rather than judgemental, contemplative rather than certain, and I wanted to help others discover the same hope through creativity.

Over the subsequent twenty-five years, I've worked on and off in mental health, in various capacities and roles. I've been privileged to be a listening support worker with various charities and grassroots organisations, both online and in-person, including The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Shropshire Mental Health Services, Victim Support, Home-Start, Cancer Aid, and Women's Aid.

Primarily I am interested in daydreaming, fantasy, imagination, perception, consciousness, and their shadow counterparts. These interests led me into new age circles and out again, (phew!) and then into training with the Centre of Applied Jungian Studies which brought the depth to my therapy work that I was craving but could not find elsewhere. In Jung I found a kindred introvert and in my peers I gained radically unique thinkers, for my clients they get a sturdy process anchored in a post-Jungian foundation.

More recently, while working in TV, I turned my attention to working with creatives and non-creatives from all walks of life, from people experiencing homelessness to internationally recognised individuals. I am especially passionate about uplifting working-class artists whose wrestle to keep their craft alive after long hours at work (I know this feeling first hand) ensuring that every creation matters.

I enjoy faciliating encounter groups and support groups. I'm an experienced group facilitator, having started in the 2000s with Self Help Services facilitating a depression support group in the heart of Manchester. I've also facilitated groups with Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide. I have set up and facilitated free grassroots community projects such as The Women's Playgroup, a creative arts group for survivors of sexual violence (funded by Trafford Council's 'Make Trafford Smile Fund) and OsMINDS, a weekly mental health drop-in with Oswestry Climate Hub. I've been a crisis mental health worker and I'm trained in ASIST suicide prevention and first aid. Another passion of mine is supporting people through the ACA 12-Step reparenting process by offering both EMDR and inner child hypnotherapy.

A highlight of my career was training with Professor Windy Dryden in Single Session Therapy. As a young depressed teen mum I devoured all his self help books from the library. Getting to learn from him first hand was a dream come true. Using Single Session Therapy, especially with suicidal clients, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my therapy life so far.

I'm now a member of the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists, and Hypnotherapists) and the National Hypnotherapy Society, and I adhere to their codes of ethics. I hold an enhanced DBS on the update system. I am a huge believer in life-long learning, and will always be adding new techniques to our work together.

If I sound like the right therapist for you, and you feel the time is right, fill in the contact form and we'll take it from there. If you want to wait, or the time is not quite right, sign up for the free e-zine that goes out twice a year and you'll get an idea over time of what working together would look like. Either way, thank you for being here. We'll speak soon!