A balanced life does not always happen by chance

I offer specialist trauma-informed psychotherapy with a nervous-system centred, somatic approach. We work at a steady pace to support regulation, reduce symptoms, and help you feel more able to live and connect.

You might be a good fit if you’re experiencing:

  • anxiety, chronic stress, hypervigilance

  • shutdown, numbness, collapse, burnout

  • dissociation, feeling unreal or disconnected

  • sleep disruption, fatigue, brain fog

  • shame, people-pleasing, relationship patterns that feel “stuck”

How we begin

In the initial phase we:

  • clarify what’s happening and what you want to change

  • build a safe working relationship

  • begin stabilisation and practical regulation strategies

  • agree an initial Therapeutic Plan tailored to you

How I work

My approach is formulation-led, carefully paced, and tailored to complex presentations. We review progress regularly and adjust the plan as needed.

Practicalities

  • Individuals (16+)

  • In person (Shinfield, Reading) or online (Zoom)

  • Sessions are typically 50 minutes, weekly (sometimes twice-weekly by agreement)

  • Click here for fees and other details.

Book a complimentary 20-minute consultation

If you would like to explore working together, you’re welcome to book a free 20-minute consultation.

W: Get in Touch >
T: 07803 049039 • E: paolo@presentingpast.co.uk

Learn about Neurofeedback (in-person) >

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Read more: the therapy process

If appropriate, we agree a short consultation period (often 4–6 sessions). During this time we gather just enough information about your current difficulties and relevant life history, and we start identifying what helps your nervous system settle.

By the end of this initial phase, I aim to offer a Therapeutic Plan that includes:

  • priorities (what comes first)

  • pacing (what your system can tolerate)

  • the type of work that best fits your presentation

  • how we will review progress

Stabilisation first (when needed)

When the nervous system is significantly dysregulated, stabilisation usually takes precedence. A dysregulated system can amplify emotions, thoughts, and behaviours — and this can create a feedback loop that keeps distress going.

For trauma-driven presentations, a bottom-up approach (starting with body and nervous system regulation) often provides the most effective foundation for deeper therapeutic work.

Trauma processing and post-trauma growth

As stability improves, trauma processing becomes more tolerable and effective. Over time, as the nervous system becomes less shaped by survival adaptations, therapy can expand into post-trauma growth, such as:

  • more freedom of choice and flexibility

  • increased self-trust and self-compassion

  • clearer boundaries and more satisfying relationships

  • greater capacity to feel without overwhelm or shutdown

  • a stronger sense of vitality and meaning

This stage is more centred around top-down approaches (extend the areas of psychotherapeutic exploration from body to feelings, thoughts, values, beliefs, behaviours, psychodynamics, relational patterns, life scripts), it is highly individual and depends on personal history and current life circumstances. New material can emerge that feels challenging at times; we work with it carefully, collaboratively, and at a pace your system can manage.

Ending therapy

Therapy continues until you feel ready to end. Clinically, it is often important to spend an appropriate number of sessions processing the ending of the therapeutic relationship, so change is consolidated and the transition is supported.

Modalities I integrate

My primary training is Relational Transactional Analysis, and I integrate additional approaches where appropriate, including:

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

  • Bodywork and mindfulness within relational therapy

    IFS (Internal Family Systems) parts work

  • Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) — a trauma approach that can enable deep processing while reducing the risk of overwhelm

  • EMDR

  • amongst others.

Neurofeedback alongside psychotherapy (optional)

Where clinically appropriate, I integrate ILF Neurofeedback to support nervous system regulation and stability, which can make psychotherapy and trauma work more tolerable and effective. Neurofeedback can also be offered as a standalone service.

Neurofeedback requires in-person attendance.

Read more about Neurofeedback >

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Other services

Served areas: Based in Shinfield (Reading, The United Kingdom). I typically work locally (around a 15-mile radius) and online where appropriate. Neurofeedback requires in-person attendance.