Emma Hutton

Emma is an integrative psychotherapist with over 14 years experience of working with children, adolescents, parents and adults, though she now works mainly with older adolescents and adults. Emma believes that one of the most important aspects of successful therapy is the building of a strong, safe therapeutic relationship. Many people who seek therapy have been traumatised in some way and trauma can cut people off from their sense of connection to themselves, to their loved ones and to a meaningful world.  With an attuned and attentive therapist who brings curiosity, warmth and compassion, clients feel listened to, valued and validated and can feel safe enough to begin to emerge and reconnect with lost or cut off parts of themselves. 

Emma’s starting point is whatever has brought the person to therapy and what they would like to gain from the process. From there, every client’s journey will be different but Emma pays particular attention to formative attachment relationships and traumatic life experiences and the way a client’s expectations, self-beliefs and nervous systems have been uniquely shaped by their personal experiences.  

Emma has a particular interest in trauma and its impact on the brain and the body. In 2016 Emma trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). EMDR is a psychological treatment which helps people to process different aspects of traumatic memories (feelings, thoughts, physical sensations, negative self beliefs relating to the trauma) and although it was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) it is now also used for a wide range of psychological issues. EMDR is a powerful and highly effective treatment which Emma uses often in her work.  

Alongside working at TTC, Emma works part time as a counsellor at Chickenshed - an inclusive theatre company that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change in young people. Previously Emma has experience of working in both primary and secondary schools. Her work in schools included working one to one with children and adolescents but also supporting parents to reflect on their children’s struggles and how they could best support them. Prior to training as a therapist Emma worked for a disability rights organisation which included setting up a play scheme for children with ADHD and autism and co-running a therapeutic support group for parents and carers.