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.
As a Queer Australian Clinical Sexologist, Relationship Therapist, Yoga Therapist, Counsellor, and Educator based in the UK, I specialise in guiding individuals, couples, and people in Ethical Non -Monogamous relationships, on their journey towards greater emotional and sexual well-being. My approach integrates evidence-based practices, through the lens of GSERD (Gender, Sexual, Erotic, Relationship Diversity), Somatics and soon-to-be completed EMDR training for trauma recovery. I offer both in- person intensive therapy retreats globally and online sessions, providing a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Services that I offer you in healing:
Issues that I can help with as a Clinical Sexologist, Relationship Therapist, and Counsellor include:
- enhancing sexual pleasure
- consensual non-monogamy
- 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
- problematic porn use
- sex, gender, erotic and relationship identity concerns
- sexual compulsions
- 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 trauma & shame
- changes in the body (pregnancy, menopause, aging) and sexual pleasure.
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.
I am a Sex Positive Therapist and trained in Gender, Sexual, Erotic and Relationship Diversities (GSERD). I am against practices of conversion therapy. I am a LGBTQIA+ safe space.
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.
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 Clinical Sexology. 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, and am often in Eastern Africa. 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 Skype or WhatsApp upon request, but please note that they are less secure. I prefer to meet all clients for Clinical Sexology, Relationship Therapy, Counselling, 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
All sessions are 60 minutes long. Occasionally a 90 minute session can be pre-arranged. 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 Clinical Sexology/ Relationship Therapy/ Counselling, 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.
- Clinical Sexologist and Relationship Therapist. Trained with the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology in England which is approved by Pink Therapy as a GSERD Therapist.
- 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 10 Days Panchakarma in Maderia.
- 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 registrations 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
I am presently based in Brighton, UK. and in eastern Africa.
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, I spend a significant amount of time in Eastern Africa. 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. I call a few different places home, 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