Our Background
Our knowledge and experience in mental health and wellbeing
Who we are
Inspire Life Therapy is run by Ingrid Steele and is a networking organisation that works in partnership with other therapists and organisations that share a common goal of supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
I’ve been working in the private sector to support people and organisations to grow since 2008, after 14 years working in NHS mental health services and the Department of Health. I’m a qualified psychotherapist (including a specialism in hypnotherapy called Guided Imagery), exec coach and organisational development facilitator. I’m a narcissism-aware therapist, trained in gender dysphoria, complex PTSD, as well as in mediation, restorative practice, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, NLP and reiki. Outside of everyday practice, I also co-chair the York Peer Group for Human Givens Therapists and am a trustee of the charity One Step Borders which helps young people in the area of mental health and wellbeing.
Clients feed back that I am calm, warm and approachable, that they feel accepted, comfortable and safe being themselves with me. It is important that you are in control of the therapeutic process and that sessions give you the space to explore what is important to you. Trained in the Human Givens approach to psychotherapy and counselling, my focus is on supporting people to meet their needs in balance. I will work respectfully and sensitively with people whatever they may be experiencing, such as longstanding or recent experiences of anxiety and depression, trauma, addiction, self harm or eating difficulties. You may be having relationship difficulties, challenges living in a blended family, be bereaved or dealing with some kind of loss. Or you may be exploring important aspects of yourself, such as gender, identity or neurodivergence.
We focus our attention on making sense of whatever’s happening for you, on building awareness, insight, clear goals and a genuine confidence in yourself and how you can use all of your resources to move forward. We can also help you to develop a better understanding about what is happening in your brain and body, your somatic awareness, awareness of your emotions, and how they drive your thoughts and behaviours. Sometimes our work includes learning how to be and feel safe within yourself as a foundation for building safer and healthier relationships with others. Above all, our aim is for you to leave sessions feeling better in some way, have greater hope, calmness, motivation and clarity about your next steps.