Shirley Mujico

Shirley Mujico, a BACP-registered integrative psychotherapist, believes in the necessity of diverse approaches to meet the unique needs of each client, as one size does not fit all. Integrating a person-centred stance with trauma and attachment theories, she underpins her work with these principles. Shirley has addressed a range of complex mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, personality disorders, bereavement, and loss. She is trained in person-centred therapy, and EMDR,  and her degree is in psychodynamic therapy, focusing on specific issues and trauma. She practices at the Awareness Centre in Tooting.

Shirley provides compassionate and proficient psychotherapy, aiding individuals in their mental health journeys, with a focus on psychodynamic and EMDR therapies. She values the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship for healing and growth and is committed to fostering a secure, non-judgmental environment for clients to delve into their psyche and confront their difficulties. Her integrative method merges the insightfulness of psychodynamic therapy with the transformative impact of EMDR, customised to each client’s distinct needs and aspirations.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is designed to process traumatic experiences that were too overwhelming for the mind to handle initially, resulting in memories that can be intensely triggered in the present. When activated, these unprocessed memory fragments—comprising visuals, sounds, thoughts, and emotions—can resurface with the original event’s intensity.

Such vivid recurrences may lead to a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, and EMDR treatment is endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). EMDR therapy works through the traumatic memory, addressing past, present, and future aspects, as well as sensory inputs through lateral eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones.

With a marketing background and experience working in secondary education, Shirley has developed an understanding of workplace issues. Recognising the pressures individuals may impose on themselves, leading to counterproductive or harmful coping mechanisms, she strives to help clients discover more beneficial ways to manage emotions and stress. Her areas of specialisation include anxiety, sexual identity, and relationships, and she has a particular interest in assisting adult survivors of sexual abuse.