10 Questions with Poppy Batts

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

• My personal experiences of trauma, adversity and health challenges are what led me to pursue a career as a psychotherapist. Once I learned that healing is possible, and the joy that can be experienced in life, it felt impossible not to choose this as a career. I have a great interest in mental health and the healing professions, this is my passion, but it is my own healing journey that brought me into this field. I find the work highly rewarding and am grateful for all current and previous clients who have invited me to guide them through their own journey.
  

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

• I believe professional and personal development is a continuous journey, and there is no end to growth. I have come across various individuals, philosophies and aspects of life that have influenced me today. This includes, but is not limited to Carl Jung, Gabor Maté, Brené Brown, Carl Rogers, Bessel van der Kolk, Judith Herman, and Stoic Philosophy.
  

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

• The impact of complex trauma, and traumas experienced during childhood and adolescence, either recent or in the past.
  
  I have an interest in women's health, particularly supporting those who identify as female. Moving into womanhood, or embracing one's whole self in the female body. In today's society, there are many challenges females are faced with, and I enjoy supporting individual's through these.

• What method/s do you use?

• Although I am trained as a psychodynamic psychotherapist I incorporate a variety of methods and approaches into my practice. This is because each individual is uniquely different, what may work for one person does not necessarily work for another.
  
  I believe the relationship you have with your therapist is essential for healing. Feeling comfortable, or feeling safe enough to express that you feel uncomfortable and find ways to soothe this, is incredibly important to experience all the positive benefits of therapy.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

• This is highly individual. Each one of us has a different past, different relationships, different home life, different foods and different experiences throughout the therapeutic journey. Everything contributes to our ability to heal and feel well enough to face the challenges our futures hold.
  
  I welcome this to be an open discussion in our therapy sessions. For us to explore how you are feeling, what you find helpful and less helpful in sessions, and for myself to provide feedback and non-judgemental guidance throughout the process.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• Therapy continues to humble me. Seeing my clients bravely face their adversities can sometimes leave me in awe at their courage and commitment to the process.
  

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• It is hard to narrow it down - I love being a therapist. It is incredibly rewarding, challenging, scientific and a creative process to be apart of.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Yes absolutely! This is normal and natural for everyone and part of the human experience. Knowing that this is natural, that they do not last, and learning ways to manage them is part of the therapy process.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

• I think there are many answers to this question, but what I specifically notice in the Western world is a lack of self-awareness leading to poor connection and communication difficulties. Increasing our awareness of our bodies, minds, emotions, and interpersonal dynamics can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and happier relationships - most importantly our relationship with ourselves.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

• "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown and "When the Body Says No" by Gabor Maté.