Sandra Otila Ortiz

Me and my therapeutic approach

I am a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and a Relationships and Psychosexual Therapist. At the heart of my way of engaging therapeutically is a deep exploration of our experience of Self and its relational movement with Soul. At a personal level, it is about being and relating at the level of the heart  or “heartfulness” in which Soul and human attributes come together to dance attuned and in rhythm. The aim is to uncover step by step the great potentiality of our Self and remove veils of perception that cloud our vision. It is within the heart, that what we perceive as negative aspects of our self, limitations or negative experiences, are in reality a golden treasure within. 

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My training​​

I graduated with a BSc Psychology Counselling and Therapies from the University of Bedfordshire, and trained as an Islamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist with Stephen Maynards and Associates.. The heart of my way of engaging therapeutically is transpersonal in essence that follows Sufi teachings of the sciences of the Self/Tassawuf. 

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I have also a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology from the University of Bedfordshire and a Post graduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy from Tavistock relationships. Currently I am undertaking a Diploma in Systemic Therapy for Family Constelations and Trauma integration at the Instituto de Luz sober Luz in Mexico City.

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My Therapeutic experience

I have been a counsellor since 2016 with experience working with children at Place to Be working and with teenagers, young adults and adults at Lateef Project for as a Senior Psychotherapist and as an honorary psychotherapist/Counsellor at Nour Domestic Violence. I did a trainee placement at St Pancreas Sexual Problems Clinic as a Psychosexual therapist working with both individuals and couples through their sexual problems and I have my own private practice. Currently I keep a balance between voluntary and agency work along side my private practice. 

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I have experience working with diverse common life problems as well as anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, domestic abuse and violence, sexual abuse and child sexual abuse, abandonment, bereavement, porn and sex compulsion and the struggle between religious/cultural beliefs and gender identification/sexual orientation, relationship and psychosexual issues for individuals and couples. I have also provided therapeutic support for counselling students in their journeys to becoming counsellors.

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I am an active member of the BACP, BPS graduate membership, MNCPS accredited, COSRT and ESSM.

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I am passionate about working with an awareness of  culture, spiritual, gender and sexual diversity in the provision of mental health services. I am originally from Mexico and my close family is of a mixed and multicultural background. 

In my work, I always look for a holistic approach into psychological but also, spiritual and physical well-being that allows us to be in connection and intimacy with our bodies.

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Other hobbies and complementary therapy practices

I enjoy teaching. I find very rewarding witnessing a heart opening and flouring. I have been for the past 7 years teaching CPCAB levels 2 and 3 in Counselling skills and Counselling Theory in islamic Counselling at Stephen Maynards and Associates.

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I am also a Reiki practitioner Master level and a EFT Practitioner. I hold a personal practice on Qigong for several years and I am also a sacred and therapeutic dance practitioner. I strongly believe on the importance of intimacy and relationship not just with others but with oneself and life around us. Therapeutically I witness the benefits and importance of sensual embodiment with life.

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Other languages

Besides English, I can provide therapy in Spanish.