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Yvette Litchfield Psychotherapy & Counselling

It is a privilege to welcome you to Yvette Litchfield Psychotherapy & Counselling (YLPC), where I offer compassionate and evidence-based support to improve overall psychological well-being and functioning. The two core offerings of my practice are therapy and clinical supervision.

Therapeutically, I specialise in Performing Voice Therapy for singers and other professional voice users, and EMDR Therapy for those struggling with distressing memories. 

As a former opera singer, I founded my clinical practice in recognition of the unique level of vulnerability faced by singers and and the combination of challenges that emanate from this. Healing gives rise to the ability to vocalise freely and be authentic in the world; to use one’s true voice.

As a trauma-informed EMDR therapist, my highest priority is creating a safe and non-judgemental environment to heal from distressing memories without reliving them. Therapy is a safe space to discover and express emotions, needs and boundaries, and strengthen the mind-body connection.

I offer person-centred Clinical Supervision for psychotherapists and counsellors, including those still in training and at the outset of their careers. My supervision style is collaborative, strengths-based, and grounded in reflective practice. I support clinicians in developing clinical skills, while fostering insight, ethical decision-making and self-awareness.

What are EMDR Intensives?

An emerging form of EMDR Therapy known as EMDR Intensives condenses treatment into a shorter timeframe. Instead of standard 60 or 90-minute weekly EMDR Therapy sessions, treatment sessions are 120 minutes and scheduled closer together – generally three sessions per week, for one or two weeks depending on the presenting concern, with an initial assessment.

While conventional EMDR Therapy allows for some checking in with daily challenges around the EMDR reprocessing, EMDR Intensives focus exclusively on moving through the eight phases of the EMDR treatment protocol in relation to the presenting issue, accelerating relief from trauma symptoms. Clients for whom the traditional cadence of weekly sessions doesn’t work may prefer this streamlined and effective mode of delivery.

This is a targeted approach with an evidence base for highly effective results when directed at discreet issues, in particular PTSD resulting from single-event trauma. Please note that some complex trauma may not be suitable for processing with EMDR Intensives.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) — such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds — which activates the brain’s natural healing mechanism. This mimics what happens during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of your sleep, when your eyes flicker left and right.

During EMDR, when a memory is reprocessed using BLS, it effectively ‘overloads’ your working memory. As a result, three key changes often occur:

  • The memory feels more distant or less vivid
  • Emotional distress significantly decreases
  • More adaptive or positive beliefs start to emerge

Over time, new neural pathways develop between the emotional and logical areas of the brain. This can lead to more positive and constructive thoughts, feelings and behaviours. These changes tend to be long-lasting, as EMDR targets and resolves core issues rather than simply managing symptoms.

EMDR Therapy will take different lengths of time depending on your individual circumstances. Some memories resolve in a few sessions, sometimes EMDR takes several weeks or months.

As EMDR addresses painful memories and emotions, you can say ‘stop’ if you feel overwhelmed and need to pause the process at any time. You are always awake and in control during your sessions.

What is a Professional Voice User?

Professional voice users are individuals who rely on their voice as a primary tool for their occupation. They often need to maintain a high level of vocal performance and health to perform their jobs effectively. Categories and examples of professional voice users include:

  1. Performers:
  • Singers: vocalists who perform in various musical genres including opera, classical, pop, rock, jazz, country, and folk, balancing the demands of conveying emotion while maintaining technical mastery.
  • Stage, Screen and Voice Actors: artists who use their voices to portray characters, convey emotions, and deliver lines with nuance.
  1. Public Speakers:
  • Motivational Speakers: individuals who give speeches to inspire or motivate audiences.
  • Government and other Corporate Representatives: individuals who need to communicate to large audiences in a clear and impactful way often under pressure.
  1. Broadcasters:
  • Radio Hosts and DJs: professionals who speak on air for long periods, engaging with listeners and presenting content.
  • News Anchors and Reporters: journalists who deliver news reports on television or radio.
  1. Educators:
  • Teachers and Lecturers: individuals who communicate with students, often in large groups, requiring clear and sustained vocal projection.
  1. Healthcare Professionals:
  • Doctors, Nurses and Therapists: medical and health professionals who need to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and colleagues.
  1. Legal Professionals:
  • Judges, Barristers and Courtroom Lawyers: individuals who rely on their voice to advocate for their clients, convey legal arguments, and deliver rulings to support legal proceedings.
  1. Sales & Customer Service Representatives:
  • Individuals who spend significant time on the phone and in person assisting customers, requiring clear and friendly vocal communication.

Overidentification with the voice

Rosen and Sataloff (1997) assert that for all of us, self-esteem is what we believe ourselves to be, paired with the contribution we believe we make. For all who invest at the highest level in their art or career, their ‘self’ may be tied to their instrument or professional identity. However, unlike other musicians for whom artistry is expressed in an interplay between the instrument and the player, singers’ voice ‘is in’ therefore ‘is the self’ (in the words of Rilke, “to sing is to be”).

In summary, while the voice is a distinct aspect of identity for everyone, for singers and professional voice users, identification with their voice is intensified, making their psychological experience unique, to the extent that there may be no divide between ‘what I do’ and ‘who I am’.

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