Interpersonal Psychotherapy

 My therapeutic approach is integrative, trauma-informed  and relational, drawing on attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology and evidence-based psychotherapies. 

I understand emotional and psychological distress as arising within the context of relationships, life experiences and the nervous system, rather than as isolated symptoms.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy  (IPT) is an important part of this framework. IPT focuses on how current relationships, life transitions, losses and interpersonal challenges influence emotional wellbeing. From an attachment-informed perspective, it recognises that early relational experiences can shape how we relate to others, communicate needs, and manage emotions in the present.

In therapy, we explore how interpersonal patterns, role changes, unresolved grief, or relational conflicts may be contributing to distress such as anxiety, low mood, or a sense of disconnection. 

IPT provides a structured and compassionate way of strengthening communication, improving relationships, and increasing meaningful social support.

This interpersonal focus is often integrated with trauma-informed and nervous-system-based approaches such as EMDR, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), neurofeedback, and experiential methods. Together, these approaches support both emotional processing and relational repair, helping clients develop greater clarity, regulation, and capacity for connection.

Therapy is collaborative, carefully paced and tailored to each individual, supporting healing, resilience and lasting change within both internal experience and relationships.

 Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma therapy designed to help the brain and nervous system process distressing experiences that have not been fully resolved. These unresolved experiences can continue to affect emotional regulation, sense of safety, self-beliefs and relationships long after the original events have passed.

EMDR is widely recognised and endorsed by leading organisations, including the World Health Organization, Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, and Medicare Australia, for the treatment of trauma and trauma-related difficulties.

When adapted for complex trauma and attachment-related experiences, EMDR is delivered in a gentle, carefully paced way. Therapy places strong emphasis on safety, stabilisation and the therapeutic relationship. You are not required to relive or recount traumatic events in detail. Instead, the work supports your nervous system to gradually process what has been overwhelming, at a pace that feels manageable and respectful.

EMDR helps address how earlier experiences—often rooted in relationships—continue to influence present-day emotional responses, patterns of connection and beliefs about yourself and others. By engaging the brain’s natural capacity for healing, EMDR supports the integration of traumatic memories so they no longer hold the same emotional or physiological charge.

Over time, this process can support greater emotional stability, increased self-compassion, improved relationships, and a deeper sense of safety and resilience in daily life.

For more information about EMDR, visit www.emdraa.org.

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), developed by Dr Frank Coorigan,  Consultant Psychiatrist based in Scotland, is an evidence-based,  neuroscience-informed and trauma-focused therapeutic approach designed to address shock and attachment trauma by targeting the brain’s earliest threat-response mechanisms which thought to occur at the brainstem level.

DBR goes to the roots of trauma and works with pre-conscious orienting responses and neurophysiological sensations that occur prior to emotional or cognitive processing, supporting resolution of trauma .  A defining feature of DBR therapy is its embodiment of an intrinsic healing process that aligns with the evolutionary development of the brain and nervous system.

Magdalen is a Level 3 DBR practitioner.

More information on DBR can be found on DBR website https://deepbrainreorienting.com

 Neurofeedback therapy—also known as neurotherapy or EEG biofeedback—is a non-invasive, drug-free approach that supports the brain and nervous system to function in a more balanced and regulated way. It works by gently training brain activity toward healthier patterns, which can support emotional regulation, focus, sleep, resilience, and overall wellbeing.

Neurofeedback is grounded in the principle of neuroplasticity, recognising that the brain has an ongoing capacity to adapt, learn, and reorganise throughout life. When brainwave patterns are well regulated, they support attention, learning, emotional stability, social communication, and stress resilience. Neurofeedback aims to address patterns of dysregulation that may contribute to psychological, emotional, or neurological difficulties.

Neurofeedback has been used to support individuals experiencing a range of concerns, including:

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Attention difficulties (ADD/ADHD)
• Autism spectrum conditions
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleep difficulties
• Migraines and headaches
• Acquired brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy
• Age-related cognitive changes
   

Professional bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognise neurofeedback as an evidence-supported intervention for ADHD.

What to expect in a neurofeedback session

During a neurofeedback session, small sensors (electrodes) are placed on the scalp to measure brain activity in real time. These sensors do not deliver electricity or stimulation. Instead, they simply read brainwave activity (EEG).

When the brain begins to shift toward more regulated patterns, it receives gentle feedback—often through visual or auditory cues. Over time and with repeated sessions, the brain learns to sustain these more balanced states, supporting improvements in emotional, physical and cognitive functioning.

Course of treatment 

Consistent training is important for optimal outcomes. An initial block of approximately 20 sessions, usually conducted at least once per week, is recommended. Progress is reviewed regularly to determine whether further sessions would be helpful.

For neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD or autism, and for more complex or long-standing presentations, 40–60 sessions may be needed to support sustained change.

Further information about Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback can be found on the EEG Institute website:
http://www.eeginfo.com/what-is-neurofeedback.jsp

 Magdalen offers consultancy, training, and clinical supervision for mental health practitioners who wish to deepen and extend their clinical practice, particularly in trauma- and attachment-informed work.

Her work supports clinicians to thoughtfully integrate neuroscience-informed, relational, and experiential approaches into their therapeutic repertoire, with a strong emphasis on safety, ethical practice, and reflective clinical thinking.

Consultancy and supervision provide a collaborative and supportive space to:

• Reflect on complex and challenging clinical presentations
   
• Strengthen trauma-informed and attachment-focused practice
   
• Integrate modalities such as EMDR, neurofeedback, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and Small Figures Work
   
• Support professional development, clinical confidence, and sustainable practice
   

Training offerings include experiential workshops and professional development programs designed to enhance clinical skills, deepen therapeutic engagement, and support meaningful and lasting change in client outcomes.

Magdalen also delivers Small Figures Work Training, running annual workshops for therapists who wish to expand their clinical repertoires beyond talk-based therapies. This work supports transformative and systemic change across clients’ internal emotional worlds and relational systems.

Further information is available at www.smallfigureswork.com.