SAFE-T™ is based on the principle that attachment security or insecurity has physiological, as well as psychological, symptoms. As these symptoms are mostly unconscious, using words or insight does not give us adequate access. We need to work at a level below language, essentially with a different part of the brain.

That part is the right brain where the limbic system holds visceral, emotional and implicit memory. It is there that our earliest sense of ourselves, and our relationship to others, is formed. Without accessing this, we are working with only a linguistic representation, frequently distorted, of those formative experiences that provide our relationship blueprint and unconsciously guide us through our relationship to ourselves and others.

SAFE-T™ uses a combination of the felt sense, interoception, imagination and a range of other expressive modalities to access this vital part of the brain and bridge new neural pathways to an explicit expression of Self and often a new narrative to live by.

Attachment Psychology is the foundation to SAFE-T™. We use somatic skills, creative modalities and important relational principles to support our client’s growing sense of safety, trust, self-knowledge; ability to take risks, manage disappointments and rejections; and development of a deeply-held internal sense that a protecting, wise and attuned someone lives inside of them, guiding them and keeping them safe while enhancing the capacity for joy.

Throughout SAFE-T™ is a constant theme of compassion and kindness and, within that, love. It is our capacity to love from our own accessed secure attachment while in session with clients that creates the fertile soil for transformation, both of our clients and of ourselves.

Note: SAFE-T™ is a synthesis of my trainings, study and experiences. Key influences are Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience by Dr. Diane Poole-Heller; Circle of Security by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper & Bert Powell; Somatic Experiencing™ by Dr. Peter Levine; NeuroAffective Touch by Dr. Aline LaPierre; Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples by Dr. Sue Johnson; Expressive Therapies by Dr. Mark Pearson and Dr. Helen Wilson, and Sandplay Therapy in the tradition of Dora Kalff & Margaret Lowenfeld.