Welcome to Thinking Feeling Moving
Hello, my name is Lisa McGarva (she/ they). Welcome to Thinking Feeling Moving. This is a place to heal on many levels.
I trained as a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist with CICS in the UK. I am a GSRD (Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity) Therapist. I integrate my expertise as a Yoga Therapist, Educator, and EMDR Trauma Therapist to support individuals, couples and polycules in achieving greater emotional, mental, physical and sexual well-being.
I am pluralistic in my approach using a bio-psycho-social framework while working somatically to help people feel safe in their bodies, gain a deeper understanding of their sexuality, explore how it fits withing their relationship/s, and access pleasure.
I am Australian, sex-positive and queer. I work globally either online, or in person via intensive therapy retreats.
Services that I offer you in healing:
Issues that I can help with as a Psychosexual Therapist, Relationship Therapist, and Counsellor include:
- enhancing sexual pleasure
- consensual non-monogamy
- EMDR Trauma Therapy (PTSD and C-PTSD).
- LGBTQIA+
- repairing relationship ruptures
- better intimacy, connection & communication in relationships
- relationship problems couples/ polycules
- erection problems
- inability to orgasm
- desire discrepancy (low or high libido)
- painful sex (vulva, vagina, anus)
- premature/early ejaculation
- delayed ejaculation
- compulsive sexual behaviours (including pornography)
- sex, gender, erotic and relationship identity concerns
- specific sexual interests (BDSM, kinks and fetishes)
- sex education- understanding anatomy, arousal & how to access pleasure.
- disability and sex (life long or acquired).
- attending to shame
- changes in the body (pregnancy, menopause, aging) and sexual pleasure.
- sex worker friendly
- neurodiversity in sex and relationships
- intercultural relationships
- long distance relationships
Clients may come to see me for therapy related to a sexual and or relationship matter. They do not need to have a diagnosis of anything. A 'problem' exists if it is a problem for you. Let's have a chat.
Issues that I can help with as a Yoga Therapist include:
- back pain such as strain or disc herniation, SI Joint dysfunction and sciatica.
- scoliosis
- auto-Immune disorders
- anxiety and Depression
- chronic fatigue
- frozen shoulder
- recovery from surgery
- recovery from illness
- being a healthy weight
- better sleep
- better digestion
- working through a period of transition in their life
- creating a yoga programme your exact needs.
Issues that I can help with as an EMDR Therapist include:
- Releasing dysfunctional ties of the past so that adaptive responses can be made in the present.
- Facilitate a distinction between remembering an experience rather than re-experiencing it over and over.
- Achieve a position where remembering is no longer emotionally disturbing
- Improving your view of yourself
- Relief from bodily disturbances
- Resolution of present and future anticipated triggers
- Retraining Pain
Yoga Therapy Programmes are individualised programmes designed for your body to heal. Upon assessment you are provided with a link to a private video of a programme for you to follow and practice. The programme is highly specialised for your unique individual needs. Follow up sessions are filmed as a practice for you to follow as you heal.
Yoga Classes
I also Teach Yoga privately online and sometimes teach drop in community classes (depending on where I am as I often travel). I am a Hatha Yoga Teacher and can also teach Yin and Restorative Yoga. As your Yoga Teacher, you learn about yoga which is so much more than just ‘doing’ it.
A winning combination
As a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist, and Yoga Therapist I have a uniquely specialist skillset which is wonderful in improving a multitude of sexual health problems. https://psychcentral.com/health/mindfulness-meditation-sexual-health
A note on touch and nudity
In my capacity of being talk based therapist my work does not involve touch of any kind in relation to the Psychosexual Therapy. In my capacity of being a Yoga Therapist, physical assessments are required. Assessments for Yoga Therapy programmes can be conducted both online (or face to face if I am available) of which are done clothed and with consent. At no time with either types of therapy will you or I be in a state of undress.
In Person Sessions
I am based in Brighton, UK. Therapy sessions are primarily held online. Bookings and payments are still done through the website. If you are wanting to have therapy with me in person you may wish to consider intensive therapy where I can be your personal Therapist for a concentrated amount of time in the Reconnection Retreats offered. We have personalised therapy at a negotiated global destination.
Online Sessions
I offer online video sessions via Microsoft Teams as it is the most secure platform. It is possible to have sessions via WhatsApp upon request, but please note that they are less secure. I prefer to meet all clients for Psychosexual Therapy, Relationship Therapy, Counselling, EMDR Trauma Therapy and Yoga Therapy firstly in a Pre-therapy 60 minute consultation available on my bookings page. This is to ensure that we are a good fit for each other and that you feel comfortable in working with me as your Therapist before going ahead for sessions.
Sessions are booked in by you at your convenience to fit in with your schedule, or may be booked in by me at the end of each of our sessions. You will be able to see the time zone conversion on the bookings page. Please note that my business hours in Australia work out to be in the afternoons and evenings which is great for shift workers and FIFO’s.
Session Length
Most sessions are 60 minutes long. Occasionally a 90 minute session can be pre-arranged. EMDR Therapy sessions are 90 minutes. If you require a longer session due to language challenges, disability, or being neurodiverse and if you require closed captioning in our online session please advise me beforehand. There is a space to advise me of this upon booking.
Fees
Sessions upon booking can be paid in AUD, USD, EURO and GBP. Paying in these currencies will not incur any conversion fees. Upon booking you will be sent an automated email for payment of the session. It is at this point you can choose your currency. The session appointment is not secure until payment has been made. Please go to the booking and payment page to see relevant fees in various currencies for services. Payment is required 48 hours before each session.
Pre-Therapy Assessment Forms
It is really important that you feel comfortable in working with me, also that I have the right skillset to meet your needs. If after reading through my website, you’d like to meet with me, please book in for a consultation either for Psychosexual Therapy / Relationship Therapy/ Counselling/ EMDR , or Yoga Therapy or the Reconnection Retreat to discuss your needs. When you book in, I will send you a little paperwork to complete. It is private and confidential. It helps me to prepare for our meeting so we can make the best use of our time together when we meet. If you choose not to go ahead with Therapy, your paperwork will be deleted.
I look forward to meeting with you, and hope to be working with you on your healing journey. - Lisa
A little about me
Lisa McGarva.
- Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist. Trained with the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology in England which is approved by Pink Therapy as a GSRD Therapist.
- EMDR Therapist (trained with Mirabilis Health in the UK)
- Yoga Teacher (500 hours. Level 2. YA)
- Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)
- Counsellor (ACA)
- Studied The Universal Healing Tao with Grandmaster Taoist Mantak Chia (in person).
- Undergone Intensive Panchakarma for 21 days at Vaidyagrama Ayurvedic healing Village in India. Also committed to attending Panchakarma regularly most years in Madeira.
- Immersion at the Isha Yoga Centre in the South of India.
- Completed Sadhguru’s Inner Engineering Programme.
- Bachelor of Education Double major in English, Film and Media Studies. I taught in Primary and Secondary schools mostly in the areas of Special Education and Intensive Behaviour Support for 20 years. I have been trained to train other Teachers in numerous programmes such as Functional Behavioural Analysis, Positive Handling and Crisis Management.
I hold Memberships with:
- College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (UK)
- Australian Counselling Association
- International Association of Yoga Therapists
- Yoga Australia
- Queensland College of Teachers
- Society of Australian Sexologists
- Pink Therapy.
Now that we have the official bit out of the way, a little about me as a person. I hope it gives some insight as to why I am passionate about doing what I do.
I understand relationship diversity and queer spaces. - I’m queer. I am also in my second beautiful marriage. I can help you safely navigate your own way in your social life, professional life, family and relationship/s. Living in a few different countries, I understand what it means to be Queer in a space that is not accepted or even safe. You are safe with me.
I understand cross cultural relationships. - My husband and I are from different cultures. I have previously lived in Japan, and although I am based in the UK, and travel quite a lot. I am very mobile and global.
I understand long distance relationships. - For many years my husband and I spent most of our time in different countries from each other. The rhythm of life being away from each other most of the time, then short periods of time together when life is concentrated is quite a dance. I understand shift work and FIFO life, and what it means to live this life within a relationship.
I understand what it means to live in a few different places at once. - in 2019 I left Australia to be living globally with my husband, and I know what that means with regards to relationships, family, friends, and feeling grounded enough wherever you are on the planet to find your centre within.
I understand the body, the mind, and problems that people have concerning issues of sex and relationships. - The health of your body and mind is incredibly important. I work with people who wish to be in better health. To feel healthier in their bodies, feel safer in their bodies, access pleasure without shame, help them to let go of traumas, and have better relationships not only with themselves but in intimate relationships.
- Jessy
I came across Thinking Feeling Moving after having been searching for a little while for a suitable psychotherapist and within the first 5 minutes of my trial session, I knew... read more
15/06/2023turdarmyThis was my first time attending therapy and Lisa was very welcoming, helping me cope with immediate, acute issues and giving me the capacity to navigate issues in the future.... read more
10/05/2023Paloma F-AA unique, healing, safe space and an understanding that is very hard to find elsewhere. I was also introduced to yoga nidras which have been a massive help and addition... read more
13/04/2023 - John Barwick
I found Lisa easy and comfortable to talk to. She used plain language that put me at ease. She was very professional and always ensured that I was comfortable... read more
23/12/2022GLORIA KITURI was introduced to Lisa as a Psychotherapist in November 2021 by a Clinician I was meeting for the first time. Despite our sessions being online and not face-to-face as... read more
05/09/2022Aswin SekharLisa is a calm, compassionate and efficient therapist. Her thoughts and advice are meaningful, insightful and useful to navigate the ups and downs of challenges one faces in life, relationships,... read more
05/09/2022
You might like to learn a little more about me on LinkedIn or get in touch via one of the channels below.
Lisa McGarva is an Accredited Clinical Psychosexual Therapist with the Society of Australian Sexologists Ltd.
She adheres to the Society’s Code of Ethics and Practice. To find out more, go to www.australiansexologists.org.au