Lee-Ann Matthews

I work in an integrative, humanistic way, combining approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed practice, and relational therapy. My style is warm, steady, and down-to-earth: I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely welcomed, not managed. I believe therapy is most effective when it feels collaborative rather than clinical, and I’m not afraid to gently challenge patterns that keep you stuck.

I specialise in trauma, addiction, and eating disorders, as well as the complex ways people adapt to survive overwhelming experiences. I also have extensive experience with anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship difficulties, bereavement, and shifts that occur through life’s chapters. My focus is always on restoring connection — to yourself, your body, your values, and your sense of choice.

Sessions with me are paced at a rate that feels right for you. We might explore your inner parts and protective strategies, reflect on past experiences, or work practically with grounding and nervous-system regulation. I hold a strong ethical commitment to working with difference, power, and culture in the room, recognising how these dynamics shape our sense of safety and voice.

Above all, I aim to offer something real: a therapeutic relationship where you can breathe, be honest, and grow at your own speed.

My practice is a calm, confidential space where you can bring whatever feels too heavy to carry alone. I work with adults and offer both short-term and long-term therapy, depending on your needs. Some people come to untangle a specific issue; others come for deeper, ongoing work around trauma, identity, or long-standing patterns that no longer work.

I take a steady, trauma-informed approach. You won’t be pushed to tell your story before you’re ready. We’ll move at your pace, checking in regularly so the work feels safe, grounded, and useful. I draw on Internal Family Systems (IFS), humanistic principles, and relational practice to help you understand your internal world and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

I’m experienced in supporting people with trauma, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, shame, chronic overwhelm, life transitions, and the emotional aftershocks of difficult relationships.

Sessions can be held online or face-to-face, providing flexibility to suit your lifestyle. I am dedicated to inclusivity and aware of how culture, power, and differences influence our experiences and therapeutic relationships. My goal is to create a grounded, collaborative space where you feel seen, supported, and able to explore the changes you wish to make.

Before booking a first session, I offer a free 20–30-minute chat with no pressure or obligation. It’s simply an opportunity for us to meet, for you to get a sense of how I work, and for you to ask any questions you might have. You can use this time to discuss what has brought you to therapy, see if my approach feels suitable for you, and explore what you might need moving forward.

If you decide to continue, our first full session will move at your pace. We’ll talk about what you’re hoping for, any goals or concerns you have, and what support you feel comfortable with. There’s no expectation to share everything at once—just enough for us to begin building a safe, steady working relationship. My aim is for you to feel welcomed, informed, and in control of the process from the very beginning.