About the Therapists
Maya Gagni
I am a Person-Centred and CBT Counsellor/Psychotherapist, EMDR Practitioner, Supervisor, Dramatherapist, Couple Counsellor and Equine Facilitated Therapist with 20 years experience of supporting clients.
I offer a face to face and online service and I have a wide experience in working with a variety of issues including: abuse, domestic violence, addiction(s), anxieties, depression, PTSD, self-harm, trauma, child related issues, cultural issues, eating disorders, general counselling, identity issues, sexual identity and spirituality.
As an Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist I have trained with LEAP and with Leanne Milward (Flying with Horses). With Spirit and Sultana, our horses, I strive to offer you an environment that is accepting, reflecting, liberating and healing. I also offer EMDR with Spirit and Sultana but I can also travel to you if you wish me to work with your horses.
As a Dramatherapist I can offer you a level of therapeutic work that is metaphorical and rich in the tapestry of self expression. With arts we could explore any issues that might feel otherwise overwhelming.
As a trainer I have taught on a variety of courses within Spirit Project as well as for Further Adult Colleges like Lewisham College and City Lit. I have trained Counsellors from the Certificate level all way to the Diploma including CPD workshops for trainee and qualified practitioners.
For ten years I was the Therapeutic Services Manager for a counselling service for women affected by domestic violence. I then worked for IAPT services and I am now in private practice as well as working for The University of Nottingham.
I am a BACP and NCS Accredited therapist and HCPC Dramatherapist
Shirani Situnayake
I am a Person-Centered Counsellor, Supervisor, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist, Trainer and Group Facilitator with extensive experience of client work, facilitating groups and teaching trainees and qualified therapists.
I have a deep understanding and experience of working with a variety of issues, particularly those effecting women: child sexual abuse, domestic violence, self-harm, addictions, eating issues, sexual identity and cultural identity as well as general counselling.
Besides working for the Practice I facilitate Drumming workshops, CPD training for counsellors/psychotherapists and one-to-one and group Equine Facilitated Therapy with our 2 horses Sultana and Spirit.
As a trainer I have facilitated groups in a variety of settings including: Adult Education Colleges, charities, private colleges and private practices. These groups covered a wide range of subjects such as: Counselling, Supervision, Professional Development for counsellors and psychotherapists, drumming and Equine Assisted Therapy groups.
In my group facilitation work I bring an in-depth understanding of working across differences, empathy and congruency. I am a mixed heritage Sri Lankan and have lived in England since I was 7 years old.
I have trained in Horse Whispering with Leanne Milward of Flying with Horses, and have a Diploma in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy from LEAP, as well as being an experienced and qualified Counsellor and Supervisor.
My work is also informed by my own life journey and it’s fractures and I feel I bring a considerable amount of empathy and understanding to my therapeutic work. This makes me very well placed to support you with sensitivity, understanding and acceptance.
I am passionately connected to the natural world and the wildness within ourselves, that may be called forth by this relationship. I can help you access the essential spirit that is you.
I am an Accredited member of the National Counselling Society.
I speak basic Sinhala
Testimonials
It is within the herd that I have finally found my voice.....long forgotten but not lost.
Thank you, Cleo and Sultana for allowing me to be part of the herd.
Thanks to my therapist I am now more assertive and clearer of my needs and therefore more able to live a life that I want rather than what people want.
Although at the beginning I was very scared of horses, today I realised that the biggest fear was that I could be as powerful as the horses.
