ABOUT US

Core Sentience is the essential ability to know things, reason with knowledge and an awareness of feelings and sensations.

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OUR STORY

At Core Sentience, we take a transformative approach to self-discovery, blending psychology, neuroscience, emotional regulation, and bodywork into a cohesive and holistic framework.

Our innovative Systems Approach is designed to empower individuals to break free from unhelpful patterns and embrace new possibilities. Through educational and immersive experiences—including workshops, healing ceremonies, and trauma immersion retreats—we guide you on a journey of understanding and healing.

By activating your innate wisdom, we help you achieve balance in both body and mind, unlocking the potential for lasting change.

ABOUT EMMA

I am Dr. Emma Cathcart, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist (CPsycol) The majority of my training centres around the integrative approach with a strong leaning towards Existential Phenomenological principles. My Doctoral thesis examined ‘The Experience of Womanhood in Addiction Recovery’. Since completing my Doctoral research I have worked in a variety of settings. These include abnormal bereavement, residential rehab for addiction and dual diagnosis, various specialties in GP medical practices, the education sector and private practice. I have also continued to obtain further specialist training in Trauma, including certifications in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Sensorimotor therapy and NADA Ear Acupuncture.

I have trained in sound-healing, meditation, mindfulness, body and breathwork, and have also spent time connecting to the wisdom of indigenous communities in the Amazon and Andes. Collectively, these experiences have shaped my therapeutic practice into one grounded in human nature; the emphasis being on the uniqueness of our individual experiences and providing the tools to explore ourselves, both internally and in relation to the world around us.

THE SYSTEMS

Individuals often don’t understand the physiology at work that traps them in unhelpful cycles. We have created a model for understanding the Systems at play:

THE MIND SYSTEM

A new way of engaging with Mental Health that will give you an understanding of the difference between the Mind and the Brain.
Working with the different thought processes, memory functions and beliefs.
Identifying destructive conditioning, such as the stories that we tell ourselves, and making them transparent to enable change.

THE EMOTIONAL SYSTEM

Relearning the true function of human emotions and emotional language.
Mastering how to identify emotions and deduce the meaning.
Understanding the difference between beliefs and emotions determines if we are operating from the past or functioning in the present.

THE SENSORY SYSTEM

Understanding your nervous system and why ‘Regulation’ is essential to health, wellbeing and creativity.
Working with your dysregulated nervous system to tackle issues such as concentration, brain fog, indecision, panic, anxiety and depression.

THE BODY SYSTEM

Understanding the impact of stress and inflammation on the immune system. Damaging the body, internal organs, gut health and other physical conditions that suppress our life force.

Signposting key ways we tend to soothe externally for example with food, alcohol, caffeine and overworking.
Building resilience with our extensive resourcing techniques. Knowing how to make changes though behaviour, choice and action.

TESTIMONIALS

“ I have been coming to Emma for just over 2 years now, and in that time I’ve overcome quite severe bulimia and a number of very difficult life transitions. Throughout these two years Emma has guided me through, and along the way transformed how I understand myself and my relationships with others. Reflecting on my accumulated time with Emma, I truly don’t think there has been a better investment that I have made in myself. She has given me the tools to navigate difficult emotions and experiences, and provided constant support and feedback in an extremely caring and understanding way. I would recommend her to anyone. ”

“ Nicole helped me to reconnect to my inner strength and grow as a person by accepting me and letting me be myself, uncensored and without expectations. I have always felt listened to but most importantly I have felt heard. I am not the same person I was when I started this process. I am forever grateful. Thank you for your part in my journey. ”

“Emma has been my companion and guide on the journey of healing and transformation for some years now. We have built a close therapeutic relationship where I trust her completely and where I can be vulnerable to access, process and heal some deep emotional wounds. Emma's wisdom gently illuminates what is still hidden to me and then using her experience and skills she guides me through the pain and darkness towards the relief and light, never leaving my side. Her strength, support and her belief in me make it possible to believe in myself and to do this work. Thank you Emma.”

“I had gone through a bad couple of years with bereavement, depression, and ill health. I’d already seen two other therapists but still had a deep feeling of sadness and that something wasn’t right. I made up my mind that, whatever it was, I had to fix it, no matter how painful, I just needed the right therapist...lucky for me I found Nicole. I spent about 18 months in therapy and it was really tough at times but it has completely changed my life. If you really want to deal with your emotional baggage in a productive and life-changing way, I say go to Nicole, she truly has real skill. Thank you, Nicole! ”

“Emma always makes me feel comfortable, safe and valued, whatever my state of mind. Warm and compassionate, she gently guides me, encouraging me to unlock my deeply rooted trauma. ”

“Thank you Nicole for an amazing healing retreat with you in September 2019. You have a gentle way that gave me the confidence to open up about things I’d carried around for years. On top of my personal journey, Nicole was supportive to everyone with her soothing presence and sense of humour.

Nicole is fantastic at what she does. She gets to the root of your issues and enables you to make the relevant change.”

“My life has changed completely over these four years. We have worked together on soothing my central nervous system, reprogrammed my brain, understanding my emotional-physical body. I can now establish clear and self-loving boundaries and can enforce them when needed with love and compassion. Emma has taught me how to value myself and relate to others from that place.

She has encouraged me in my personal reading with suggested books and avenues of exploration, and also in my own worldwide travels searching for healing and meaning. After years of living in chaos, I recently renovated my flat and I see my beautiful new home as an outward manifestation of the inner renovations we have done together. I still work with Emma on a regular basis and consider her a dear friend and ally.”

“Nicole's knowledge and understanding means that she can work with trauma at depth and with incredible skill and I experienced Nicole as profoundly patient, compassionate and with a tireless passion for post-traumatic growth.”

“Nicole was with me every step of the way, never judging me, always accepting me, offering me compassion and insight into what might be going on for me, exploring it further and allowing me to take the sessions at my own pace.

Her skill and way of working with trauma is exceptional, sharing her knowledge of trauma, the brain and how it was affecting me was without doubt significant in my recovery alongside her naturally compassionate and understanding nature.”

“I worked with Nicole over a period of seven months both online and in person and I cannot recommend her enough. I have to admit that I was hesitant to do this very personal work over a screen, but it didn’t matter as Nicole’s passion and skill come through wherever you are.

I am still gratefully receiving the benefits of our time together and am a much happier person for it, because I finally get me!”

“Emma has shown me great compassion, utmost respect, care, understanding, reliability, firm and caring boundaries, clear communication and scheduling. And has always been honest about what's going on for me. She has been there for me week after week, year after year and I owe my confidence, openness, lovingness and happiness to our time together.

My life has changed completely over these four years. We have worked together on soothing my central nervous system, reprogrammed my brain, understanding my emotional-physical body. I can now establish clear and self loving boundaries and can enforce them when needed with love and compassion. Emma has taught me how to value myself and relate to others from that place. ”