About
Founded and led by Dr Emma Pillinger, The Sanctuary Exeter is a welcoming therapeutic space, offering evidence-based, holistic approaches tailored to your needs. We offer in-person and online appointments.
We specialise in:
- Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Professional Supervision and Consultation (Clinical; EMDR; IFS)
- Training / Trauma Education – supporting organisations and individuals to become authentically trauma informed, and helping therapists confidently integrate the EMDR and IFS models
Meet Our Team
DR EMMA PILLINGER (SHE/HER)
Registered Clinical Health Psychologist l EMDR Europe Accredited Clinical Supervisor and Consultant l IFS Therapist
Emma brings over 25 years of clinical experience spanning public and private sectors, with work in community, residential and hospital settings. As a 2018 graduate of the Institute of Functional Medicine’s ‘Applied Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice’ (AFMCP), she incorporates functional medicine into her work with complex trauma.
Emma completed EMDR basic training in 2018, became accredited as a consultant in 2024, and currently facilitates on EMDR Basic Trainings. She is a passionate IFS Therapist, trained through levels 1-3 (level 3 with Dr Richard Schwartz), and is in the process of full IFS certification. Emma is also an IFSiEMDR trained therapist (with Bruce Hersey and Dr Kendal Hart).
In 2022, Emma made the hard decision to leave the NHS after 20+ years, in order to create a greater work-life balance and concentrate on (neurodivergent!) family life with her husband, son, rescue greyhound and chickens. She now focuses solely on running her practice at The Sanctuary Exeter, working with a broad range of psychological and functional health issues. Emma also provides professional supervision to clinicians in public and private sectors (including EMDR and IFS therapists within the NHS), alongside consultation and training to other mental health professionals and psychologists (including consultation groups and bespoke trainings for integrating the EMDR and IFS models).
Emma uses a range of psychological therapeutic models and theories to inform her work (predominantly utilising attachment, systemic, psychodynamic, polyvagal and functional health principles). Specialising in EMDR, IFS and IFSiEMDR, her approach is trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ and neuro-affirmative – underpinned by humanistic values that incorporate an essential focus upon building and maintaining the therapeutic relationship
Fees
Initial assessment (1.5 hours): £170
On-going sessions (60-90 minutes): £130 per hour
DR EMMA VERWEY (SHE/HER)
Registered Clinical Psychologist l EMDR Practitioner l IFS Informed Therapist
Emma has over 10 years of experience working across public and charity sectors. She completed her Clinical Psychology doctoral training with the University of Plymouth and has worked in a range of mental health and learning disability services since 2013, supporting children, adults, couples and families.
Before and during her doctoral training, Emma gained experience in a variety of settings including adult forensic, child learning disability, neuropsychology, and eating disorders services. Her clinical approach is informed by further specialist training in DDP, EMDR, and IFS.
Alongside her work at The Sanctuary Exeter, Emma currently supports adopted children and their families in developmental trauma charity. She uses DDP to explore and address significant attachment disruption and/or loss, helping families to build safe, connected, and trusting relationships. After nearly a decade, Emma recently chose to work outside of the NHS in order to focus on the long-term relational work that she deeply values, and feels privileged to be part of. This also allows her flexibility and space to raise her own young family.
At the Sanctuary Exeter, Emma offers individual therapy, with a focus on developmental and relational trauma, parenting and family dynamics, neurodivergence, and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan. Her practice is gentle, reflective and rooted in building trusting therapeutic relationships that support healing, insight and growth.
Fees
Initial assessment (1.5 hours): £140
On-going sessions (60-90 minutes): £100 per hour
Megan Hooper (she/her)
Registered Occupational Therapist l EMDR Practitioner in training l Specialist in Trauma & Persistent
Physical Symptoms
Megan has over 15 years of experience working across health and social care settings. She holds a post-graduate diploma in Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy and has specialised in supporting individuals with complex trauma and long-term persistent physical symptoms
Megan has worked extensively in mental health services and has offered specialist rehabilitation-focussed occupational therapy for a wide range of conditions impacting daily living. Her expertise lies in helping people reclaim meaningful engagement in life through personalised, trauma informed care.
Megan was one of the founding members of the specialist section of Occupational Therapists working in pain rehabilitation, and has delivered talks and trainings for other health professionals supporting individuals experiencing persistent physical symptoms. Her clinical approach is informed by further specialist training in MBT and EMDR.
Alongside her work at The Sanctuary Exeter, Megan is a Service Manager within the NHS, overseeing a service that provides psychotherapeutic interventions for those experiencing complex physical and emotional health challenges.
Beyond clinical practice, Megan is a passionate advocate for community connection and wellbeing. She is a director of a Community Interest Company that brings people together though shared experiences in food, nature and creativity. She also serves on the board for her local Community Action Group.
Megan’s approach is grounded, compassionate, and strengths-based – focused on enabling people to live with greater purpose, balance and connection.
Fees
Initial assessment (1.5 hours): £140
On-going sessions (60-90 minutes): £100 per hour
Please get in touch for your free 15 minute consult.
EnquireWhat to expect
Your initial appointment is an assessment session that will last for 1 hour and 30 minutes. During this time, we will discuss your background and lifestyle in depth, in order to fully understand your current issues, challenges and goals – clients often find it very helpful to have the time to tell their complete story. It also allows an opportunity to ask questions and make decisions about the possibility of further work. You will be offered a confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental space to explore the issues that led you to seek support. Our commitment is to provide clients with the appropriate information & advice to maximise their chances of success and, at the end of this session, we will make suggestions and talk about what will happen next. For example, we may suggest longer term exploratory therapy, focused trauma work, or thorough functional medicine consultation. Although this is an assessment session, it is likely that you will leave with a few specific ideas to get started on, and some recommended resources to read/follow-up in your own time too.
Contact
The Sanctuary Exeter
58 Rivermead Rd.
Exeter, EX2
4RL