Rima Hawkins

As a qualified and accredited Sexologist and Relationship Therapist, my approach is mainly Humanistic Integrative using various models. The client leads the sessions, making meaning, deciding changes they want to make and consolidate that change. The client takes responsibility for therapy whilst I use my knowledge, experience and skills to facilitate and enhance the process.

I work with all sexual dysfunctions, gender, sexuality & relationship diversity. My specialism is in Domestic and Sexual Abuse/Violence.

As a qualified and accredited Traumalogist, I use various approaches including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma. This is a model based on CBT and Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) theory. This is a recommended NICE Guidance therapy for PTSD and used for other trauma symptoms. Stabilising the client with trauma is essential before introducing active work and its important not to retraumatise clients. Trauma work is slow and steady and cannot be rushed.

On enquiry, I have a chat with my clients to establish if we are the right match and explore schedules. Once an agreement to work together is established, I share a contract*, which sets the boundary of confidentiality, expectations from each other, administration logistics including payments. All personal information is kept under the GDPR rules.

I undertake and facilitate assessment session/s, which includes an understanding of the issues followed by an agreement together of the aims/goals. If the work is beyond my scope, skills & ability to work, we will discuss referrals to specialists as I work within my skills & expertise. We will review sessions regularly to ensure and monitor the quality of progress. We will discuss endings when required so that the conclusion of the work is not abrupt.

When working with couples or polycules I may initially work individually for a session or so to have time with each client to establish a relationship. This is not always the case and is case dependant and done with consent and agreement with all parties involved.

As a Supervisor, I mainly work with Hawkins& Shohet's 7 eye model of clinical supervision. I am open to creative ways of working especially with supervisees working with different models. I supervise students of Sex & Relationship and/or General Counselling or Psychotherapy Courses only. I provide adhoc supervision on Intimate Partner Violence.

*The contract clarifies many boundaries including what to do if we have conflict of interest, our responsibilities when in a common queer space etc. Some clients & supervisees will be part of the same queer community with me so I encourage a discussion together to consider this before we start therapy or supervision.