Psychotherapist
Stacey Dart
BABCP 140464
She/her
“It’s not possible to change what has happened, but it is possible to change how you respond to it and how you live your life now.”
WHO I help
For people who look fine but feel anything but.
Stacey works with adults and young people who are living with anxiety, low mood, OCD, trauma or difficulties around body image. Many have become very good at keeping busy, looking capable and taking care of everyone else. Underneath, they feel exhausted, on edge or quietly convinced they do not deserve the same care they give so freely to other people.
The struggle shows up differently for everyone. It might mean organising life around avoiding certain places, lying awake replaying the day, withdrawing from plans or needing hours to recover after being the life and soul of the party. Some feel constantly alert to danger. Others blame themselves, struggle to try anything new or live with pain they cannot easily explain.
Often there is guilt, shame or a fear of getting things wrong underneath what first brings them to therapy. Old experiences can shape relationships, perfectionism and the need to be whatever other people seem to want. Stacey also understands the adaptations neurodivergent clients may need, and the particular pressure of moving from adolescence into adult life.
“Some people spend so much time looking after everyone else that they forget they’re worthy of taking up space too.”
how i work
Warm, straightforward, and willing to look at what feels difficult.
Working with Stacey feels grounded, collaborative and honest. She brings warmth and encouragement, alongside the kind of gentle challenge that helps clients notice where they may be stuck. She does not position herself as the expert on their life. The work is something they explore together, with the client setting the pace and direction.
Sessions begin by making sense of what is happening now and deciding what needs attention first. When everything feels tangled or overwhelming, Stacey helps break it down into something more manageable. Her CBT approach may include mapping patterns on paper, practising skills between sessions and trying small experiments in everyday life. Mindfulness, compassion, relaxation and grounding can help clients feel steadier before moving towards more difficult material.
Where past experiences are still intruding on the present, Stacey may bring in EMDR once enough stability is in place. Progress is reviewed openly, including when something is not working or another kind of support may be needed. Over time, clients can begin to understand their reactions, respond differently and discover that some of what once felt impossible is now within reach.
“The relationship you have with your therapist matters most. We’ll work together to see what feels possible, even if it doesn’t feel possible yet.”
It's nice to meet you!
Paddleboard. Salty air. Home organisation can wait.
Stacey has spent nearly 25 years working in the NHS, which gave her deep experience and a determination to make therapy more accessible to people who fall between service thresholds. Outside work, she is happiest on her paddleboard, walking by the sea or in the woods, and has recently returned to netball. Her friends would say she is much more playful than her calm therapist exterior might suggest.
Specialisms
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma & PTSD
Low self-worth
Identity
Neurodivergence
