Hello,

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

I’m a UKCP-registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.

As a psychotherapist, I offer 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 encoded in the nervous system. Moreover, it is not always obvious to appreciate the extent to which traumatic events or challenged upbringings are conditioning one’s life, this is simply because the way one experience him/her-self feels familiar and one has developed ways to contain its impact (i.e. ‘survive’). However, that survival perception, in fact, restricts freedom of choice and the ability to connect freely and in a fulfilling way with others (i.e. the ability to ‘feel alive’ as opposed to an ongoing perceived sense of threat). This can lead to various degrees of dissociation. The Self is kept hostage of a nervous system whose priority is to keep the whole organism alive, quality of life is a very secondary concern as the nervous system has not enough current capacity to take care of. Trauma and chronic stress patterns can underlie a wide spectrum of mental and physical health difficulties. Click here for a brief description of trauma and its manifestations.

The good news is that with appropriate help, support and patience the nervous system can be helped to restore a better balance. 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). As nervous system traumatic adaptations ease following trauma processing, working towards post-trauma growth occurs.

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 hold UKCP full clinical accreditation (Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College), I am a UKCP-registered supervisor, 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. Click here to read more about me and the services I offer.

I also offer Clinical Supervision to support counsellors and psychotherapists (qualified or in training) in their endeavour to help their clients. Click here to read more about my Clinical Supervision services.

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

If you are interested to explore the possibility of working together, click here 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.

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

W  -  Get in Touch Here

T  -  07803049039

E  -  Paolo@presentingpast.co.uk

Help is at hand

Life can be difficult at times .... Help is available!

Life can be difficult at times .... Help is available!

About me

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LIFE CHALLENGES OFFER US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO OURSELVES AND TO CHANGE OUR WAYS OF BEING.