Grief, Ritual & Trauma work
Don't wait till your death bed to let people know you love them!
My life, journey and therapeutic approach
Many people who present with issues in later life seem to have one thing in common – an attachment issue with one or both parents. This can involve neglect, abuse or absence. And it makes people more vulnerable throughout their lifespan without necessarily having the tools to manage crises, relationship difficulties, serious incidents etc. If you identify with this you may be more prone to illness, anxiety, stress and depression because your nervous system is constantly being triggered by external factors. This is certainly something which is manageable.
Within the work that I deliver, the quality of the relationship is one of the most important factors in helping people to find their internal sense of agency and resilience. In particular I find our early attachment can contribute to our ability to process pain, grief and loss. I work with a combination of understanding the impact of ancestral healing, ritual and integrative therapy.
William Fley
MBACP, Trauma Therapist, Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Director, adoption work, Grief and loss
I am a psychotherapist working with issues including anxiety and depression, grief, belonging, identity and trauma. I work with couples, adults and adolescents.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Struggling with anxiety, depression, or past experiences that won’t let you move forward? Seeking meaning, clarity, or a sense of peace in an ever-changing world? You don’t have to face these struggles alone. Professional psychotherapy can help you discover the strength within yourself to heal, grow, and thrive.
Why psychotherapy?
Life presents us with a tapestry of emotions—joy, sorrow, hope, fear. At times, these emotions can become tangled, leaving us feeling lost or disconnected from ourselves and those around us. Psychotherapy offers a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings freely, without judgement.
Whether you’re seeking help for specific mental health concerns or simply wish to better understand yourself, psychotherapy provides the tools to navigate life’s complexities. Through empathetic listening, evidence-based techniques, and a tailored approach, I can guide you toward new perspectives, healthier relationships, and a more meaningful life.
About my services
As a dedicated, compassionate psychotherapist, my mission is to support you on your journey towards healing and personal growth. I offer a holistic and client-centred approach, drawing upon a range of therapeutic modalities to meet your unique needs. Some of the areas I can help with include:
Anxiety & depression
Self-esteem and self-worth; shame
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Grief and loss; absent father syndrome
Relationship difficulties
Men’s issues and mid-life crises
Life transitions, identity and belonging
Personal development and life-story work
What to expect in therapy- starting your journey
The therapeutic process is a collaborative journey. In our sessions together we will:
1.Establish Trust: Create a safe, confidential space where you can speak openly and honestly, knowing you are respected and supported.
2.Explore Your Story: Gently uncover patterns, beliefs, and experiences that may be contributing to current challenges.
3.Develop Coping Skills: Learn practical strategies to manage difficult emotions, stress, and relationships in daily life.
4. Foster Growth and Resilience: Build on your strengths, cultivate self-compassion, and empower you to make positive changes.
5. Integrate Insights: Apply new understanding and skills to foster lasting transformation in how you view yourself and interact with the world.
6. Explore a holistic approach. Every individual’s path is unique, and therapy is paced according to your needs and comfort.
My ‘heart’ approach
I believe that healing begins with genuine human connection. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you. Depending on your goals and preferences I may incorporate elements of:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping you identify and shift unhelpful patterns in thinking and behaviour.
Person-Centred Therapy: Fostering a nurturing environment for self-discovery and acceptance.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Cultivating present-moment awareness to reduce stress and improve well-being.
Trauma-Informed Care: Creating a sense of safety and empowerment for those healing from difficult experiences.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring how past experiences shape current feelings and relationships.
You deserve a therapist who listens, understands, and adapts to your unique journey. Together, we will chart a path that feels right for you.
Availability
Recognising that everyone’s circumstances are different, I offer:
In-person sessions in a calm, welcoming environment
Secure video or telephone sessions for your convenience
Flexible appointment times, including evenings and weekends
Short-term and long-term therapy options
Quotes from firefighters:
“I didn’t have time to grieve at the time my mother died, and have kept myself very busy. Now, 20 years later, I’m feeling her loss as if it had just happened”
“I spent my life looking after other people and didn’t realize I felt so numb and was emotionally unavailable”
I truly love my job – my role in meeting new people and also sharing how I train and develop my skills.
I regularly take time off for my own reflection, silence and retreat time. I train with some of the world’s best mentors and teachers.
I also collaborate with network partners, mentor trainee mindfulness students and support many charitable causes. I see the the cycle of giving and receiving as part of my training, life approach, values and healing. Below is a list of key elements of my professional development.
Qualifications & accreditations:
MA Birkbeck College. University of London. A distinction in psycho-social approach to understanding policy in relation to mental health.
BA (Hons) in Psychology. Richmond American International University, London.
Post Graduate Certificate in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Regent’s College, London.
Post Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Surrey.
Two-year mindfulness teacher training course with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
Teacher certification in mindfulness and somatic processing with ‘Breathworks Mindfulness’ and Vidmalaya Burch.
Oxford Mindfulness Centre : Summer school certificate
EDMR-2026- Ines Santos
EMT-Emotional freedom technique for trauma
Ancestral Lineage Healing Training with Dr Daniel Foor
Training with David Treleven on trauma-sensitive mindfulness.#
One-year certificate on working with racial affinity groups with Ruth King.
Understanding internalized oppression Beth Berila
Woking with internalized racism With Dr Aesha Mckensay
Two-year African-centred model and approach in healing trauma, with Dr Erica McGuinness.
Three-year course from ‘Rigpa’ in Buddhist psychology and working with Vipassana.
Training in the forgiveness model with Dr Enright
Transactional analysis and working with couples- Winchester college
“A course of a life time” – understanding attachment and the implications for healing trans-generational trauma.
Gaia House : Solitary Month 2023, in addition to 7 weekly retreats on Vipassana
Buddpadipa Temple?: Wimbledon 2020-2025
Extra reading and research :
Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing by Daniel Foor
The Burden of Heritage: Hauntings of Generational Trauma on Black Lives by Aileen Alleyne
Transitioning to Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Companion for Therapists and Practitioners by Emma E. Redfern
Event and workshops:
The Absent Father professional development for mental Health with the BACP.
Presentations & Conferences :
Empowerment retreats : Mindfulness network for people of colour
Vipassana Training : Chithurst Monastery
Birckbeck Collge : David Bedrick and unshaming 2024
Birkbeck College with Rhonda Magee: 2024
Denmark International conference on mindfulness 2022
Manchester Mindfulness: 2023 – Presentation on grief
Buddhafiled annual event, Uk 2023: Belonging
Bangor international conference 2024: Grief Ritual
Sussex Mindfulness conference 2025: Grief 8 week course
Faith and Belief Fortum award 2023 for diversity and 2025 presentation on Grief
Buckingham palace recognition and invitee of garden party 2024
Your investment matters.
Within the work that I deliver, the quality of the relationship is one of the most important factors in helping people to find their internal sense of agency and resilience. In particular I find our early attachment can contribute to our ability to process pain, grief and loss. I work with a combination of understanding the impact of ancestral healing, ritual and integrative therapy.
I empower people to find their own solutions to their personal situations and challenges on their journey through life; and to undergo positive life transformations. I support them through difficult stages in their lives such as divorce and separation, loss and bereavement, midlife crises, identity and belonging, and early childhood trauma. I have 20+ years of experience, including within the NHS, higher education, employment assistance programmes and the Life Centre (serious incident crisis) etc.
And it makes people more vulnerable throughout their lifespan without necessarily having the tools to manage crises, relationship difficulties, serious incidents etc. If you identify with this you may be more prone to illness, anxiety, stress and depression because your nervous system is constantly being triggered by external factors. This is certainly something which is manageable.
Within the work that I deliver, the quality of the relationship is one of the most important factors in helping people to find their internal sense of agency and resilience. In particular I find our early attachment can contribute to our ability to process pain, grief and loss. I work with a combination of understanding the impact of ancestral healing, ritual and integrative therapy.