Hello,

I am Paolo Imbalzano and I welcome you to my website.

I’m a UKCP-registered psychotherapist offering specialist trauma psychotherapy with a nervous-system centred somatic approach which integrates neurofeedback where clinically appropriate.

Talking therapies for some people fall short of shifting the nervous system patterns that keep unwanted symptoms and maladaptive relational or intrapersonal patterns going. When this happens, it may be because of traumatic adaptations. Moreover, it is not always obvious to appreciate the extent to which traumatic events or challenging upbringings are conditioning our life, this is simply because it feels familiar and one has developed ways to contain its impact (i.e. ‘survive’). However, that containment does condition life in ways that restrict our freedom of choice and our ability to connect with others (i.e. ‘live’).

My work strongly focuses on nervous-system stabilisation and trauma processing. Typical symptoms include chronic hyperarousal, shutdown/collapse, dissociation, sleep disruption, anxiety and chronic stress patterns. Where clinically appropriate, I integrate Neurofeedback alongside psychotherapy to support stability, sleep, and self-regulation (Neurofeedback requires attendance in person). I invite you to read a little bit more about trauma on the Special Interests page.

My integrated approach is formulation-led, carefully paced, and tailored to complex presentations. I formulate a tailored therapeutic plan for each of my clients. We review progress regularly and adjust the plan accordingly.

I provide my services in a safe, secure, non-judgmental, confidential, and compassionate environment.

I work with individual clients (16+) and may also offer couples work or group work where appropriate and by arrangement. I offer short, medium and long term treatments.

I also offer Clinical Supervision to support counsellors and psychotherapists (qualified or in training) in their endeavour to help their clients.

I receive in person in Shinfield (Reading, UK) and online over Zoom.

You’re welcome to contact me to book a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss what you’re looking for and to see whether my approach feels like a good fit.

Trauma and chronic stress patterns can underlie a wide spectrum of mental and physical health difficulties.

I have experience of working with clients presenting a variety of symptoms e.g. anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma/PTSD/complex PTSD, attachment-related issues, ADHD, ASD, OCD, etc. - see Help is at hand for a comprehensive list and also Special Interest.

The main trainings I completed include Relational Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (MSc, Diploma and Certified Transactional Analyst in Psychotherapy-CTA-P), Advanced Trauma Treatment (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1), Developmental and Relational Trauma Treatment (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 2), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR, all levels, with Frank Corrigan, the founder of DBR), and EMDR training (Parts 1–3). I also trained in Neurofeedback, hold a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, am a Master NLP Practitioner, and hold a Diploma in Supervision. I am currently enrolled in a Clinical Psychology degree.

In my Mindfulness and Body-informed practice, I integrate psychotherapeutic elements of several modalities including Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (Humanistic), Relational Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic psychotherapy, Internal Family System (IFS) parts work, EMDR, Deep Brain Reorienting, Neurofeedback and Cognitive Behavioural approaches.

I hold UKCP full clinical accreditation (Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College), I am an accredited UKCP clinical supervisor, and I am a BACP Registered Member, and I abide to their respective codes of conduct - you can find them at BACP Ethical Framework and UKCP Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.

My practice is also guided by the Relational Transactional Analysis Principles and by the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Guiding Principles which can be found on the “Guiding principles of my practice” page. My practice is also informed by contemporary neuroscience—particularly research on trauma, attachment, and nervous-system regulation.

I hope you appreciate what I offer. However, if you don’t choose me, please remember to check that like me your therapist is suitably qualified, belongs to a professional body, adheres to a code of ethics, and is properly insured.

Your choice of a therapist is a major decision. During treatment you will talk about personal issues and experiences, perhaps for the first time or in a way you have never done with anyone else in your life, and it’s important that you feel that you will be able to do this with the therapist you choose. I have your best interest at heart - we agree from time to time what to focus on - and apply my knowledge and therapeutic/personal skills towards our therapeutic goals.

I am grateful for the time you are spending reading my website content, I hope you find it informative and useful, and I would be happy to hear from you.

I wish you all the best for your healing journey!

“Like a filing cabinet, the past is a resource of information for learning, but it is not a place to live.“ - Anonymous

“It is a joy to be hidden, and disaster not to be found.” - D.W. Winnicott

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” - Leonard Cohen

“Your trauma might or might not have started with you, but it could end with you” - unknown

“I am not defined by my scars, but by the incredible ability to heal.” - Lemn Sissay

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” - Rumi

“And suddenly you realize that silence Has the face of the things you've lost” - translation from “La voce del Silenzio”, Paolo Limiti and Mogol

“I go out looking for You and find You coming towards me.” - Yehudah Halevi

“It was a while before we came to realize that our place was the very house of difference rather the security of any one particular difference.” - Audre Lorde

Only for clients who contact me via this website, I offer an initial complimentary 20 minute consultation.

W  -  click here for the online contact form

T  -  07803049039

E  -  Paolo@presentingpast.co.uk

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