Introducing Connected State Therapy (CST), a therapeutic approach developed by Joe Summerfield with gentleness, safety, and efficacy at its heart.
CST is designed to provide profound support for individuals experiencing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and more.About Connected State Therapy
Connected State Therapy (CST) is a transformative therapeutic approach developed by Joe Summerfield, designed to help individuals safely uncover, explore, and transform the deep-rooted understandings and experiences that shape their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
This holistic modality integrates mindfulness techniques, somatic work, therapeutic sound, and talking therapy, creating a grounded and compassionate space for clients to address core emotional wounds and shift old, limiting patterns. Through CST, you can cultivate a deeper sense of clarity, emotional balance, and inner freedom, enabling you to live with greater presence and connection to yourself and others.
At the Core of CST are Three Fundamental Principles:
Transformative
In CST, we recognise that true healing goes beyond simply managing surface symptoms. Lasting, transformative change is possible when we address the core beliefs and emotional patterns deeply rooted in the brain’s subcortical structures. Formed from past experiences and operating outside of our conscious awareness, these patterns shape our reality and responses, sometimes in painful or limiting ways. In this sense, symptoms provide valuable insights into these underlying imprints.
Rather than seeking to manage symptoms, CST connects us to the source of our patterns, allowing for lasting change. Experiences and memories can be safely processed, and outdated beliefs and responses replaced with new, adaptive patterns, creating a profound sense of freedom and resilience over time.
Internal Environment Focus
The role of any therapist includes the creation of a safe environment in which therapy can take place. This is achieved by way of an appropriate physical environment, confidentiality, non-judgement, and the practice of active listening skills.
CST goes further than this, taking steps to support changes in the client’s internal environment – both neurological and physiological – that are conducive to deep exploration and healing. In other words, it is counter-productive to try to address emotional wounds or trauma while the nervous system is in “fight or flight”, as it was when the experience was first imprinted. By integrating mindfulness practices, somatic therapy, and therapeutic sound techniques, CST works with the nervous system to foster a state of relaxation, self-connection, and receptivity before anything else.
Connection to the Subconscious
One of the challenges of traditional talking therapies is that progress often depends on clients being able to identify and work through issues or experiences while being subject to them.
CST acknowledges and draws on the innate intelligence of the subconscious mind. Gently guiding clients into the relaxed state of deep self-connection as described, they gain access to their inner wisdom: away from reactive, “story” level explorations and prefrontal cognition, and away from interference by external influences; and towards profound and often surprising insights and shifts in perception.
Neither the client nor the therapist imposes the line of enquiry. Instead, ‘seeds’ are planted in the course of the therapeutic conversation, before entering the space where the psyche can reveal itself naturally.
The "Self" and the "self"
In CST, clients are supported in recognising and finding connection with the part of them that is transcendent of this lifetime’s experience: the Self. There is the everyday “self” that interfaces with the world, and is shaped by or subject to our past experiences, conditioning, and circumstances. Then there is the “Self”, which is something truer and deeper: a more grounded, expansive Self that isn’t defined by the external. We are not what happens to us. Connection with the Self offers us peace, clarity, direction, and access to wisdom beyond our experience.
This perspective is invaluable for seeing, understanding, processing, and navigating the experiences of our lifetime.
What Does a CST Session Look and Feel Like?
Initial Consultation – Building the Foundation
When you begin working with CST, the first step is an initial consultation. This session is about building a relationship with your therapist, orienting yourself to the therapeutic process and to CST more specifically, and exploring your current circumstances and wishes. Based on this, your therapist will recommend the frequency and duration of sessions, usually 60 or 90 minutes, once per week, depending on your needs.
Check-in & Reflection – Sewing the Seeds
Your regular sessions will begin with a check-in. First, you’ll have the chance to reflect on the key themes from your last session: what’s shifted or surfaced since then, any insights or changes you’ve noticed, and the outcome of any practices or reflections that were suggested for between sessions. Your therapist may also contribute reflections from the previous session. Together, you will identify “seeds” that may or may not germinate in the course of the session.
Entering the Process – Surrender to the Psyche
There is no need to actively search for deep issues or force insights; the process is gently led by your psyche. Trust that the material will surface when it is ready to, and in the form it needs to take. Clients are often surprised by what they discover during sessions, as insights emerge naturally and in a way that feels organic and intuitive. From here, you may choose to lie down and make yourself comfortable, but you are welcome to remain seated if that feels better for you. You will then be guided into a state of presence, and then further into an “altered state of consciousness” – a deeply relaxed dream-like state. This altered state of consciousness allows your mind to move beyond habitual thought patterns. In this state, your nervous system can soften and recalibrate, creating room for deeper emotions, memories, or insights to arise naturally.
Dynamic Exploration – Collaborative Discovery
During the session, the role of your therapist is dynamic and responsive to what emerges. Sometimes, they will simply hold space for you to unfold your understandings organically. Other times, they may ask reflective questions, collaborate with you in dialogue, or guide you through a specific process depending on what feels most supportive in the moment. This may draw on a range of approaches, including Rogerian, Jungian, mindfulness, somatic, inner child, "parts" work, memory reconsolidation, or intuitively based on the material that surfaces.
Gentle Return & Grounding – Closing the Space
As the end of the session approaches, your therapist will gently guide you back into presence, ensuring a safe and complete return from the altered state. Many clients describe feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply grounded after each session – even when exploring complex or challenging parts of their life experience.
Post-Session Integration – Time for Reflection
After your session, it’s important to give yourself time to equilibrate and integrate. A walk, journaling, or a peaceful moment with a cup of tea can help you “land”. It is recommended avoiding anything too stimulating or jarring for at least two hours afterward. Your therapist will often suggestions for further work you can do at home in the course of the week between sessions.
By undertaking CST, clients experience a gentle unfolding of insights, free from the constraints of traditional “talk therapy.” Clients engaging in CST often report feeling lighter, clearer, and more optimistic following sessions, with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.
Discover the transformative power of CST and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing today.
What Do Clients Say?
Psychotherapy is a deeply personal experience and it’s best to come with presence, free from expectation. However, to give you a flavour of the kind of feedback I receive, here are some reflections that clients have chosen to share publicly (please know that everything is confidential unless you specifically state otherwise)
I have had the privilege of working with Joe multiple times, and he consistently proves himself to be an exceptional guide and facilitator. Joe possesses a rare combination of keen intuition, deep empathy, and the ability to create a safe space that allows you to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings. His profound insights and gentle questioning skillfully lead you to the core of the matter without imposing his views. Joe's profound expertise is evident in how he witnesses your journey with utmost presence, leaving you feeling truly seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of your own growth and progress.
I have attended an online gong meditation session. I have to be honest, I was super sceptical. I practise meditation and I wondered why gongs would be useful and how on earth they would work over zoom. Wow! It was wonderful. I loved the skilfully created sound of the gongs and Joe's gentle guidance. It's unique, calming and totally blissful.
I feel more whole. Less in my head and more in touch with myself. Much more clear about things in my life, and calmer.
Couldn't recommend more! Working with Joe has totally transformed my life - I felt safe and heard for the first time in my life! Thank you Joe
I approached this novel method with an open mind, having experienced traditional variants such as CBT. Quickly, these sessions allowed a deeper connection to important events in my life leading to an understanding of how my responses to them had affected and effected what I could broadly refer to as relationships, not least with myself. This understanding is still something I'm getting to grips with. I feel more able to see the patterns and thus able to consider rejection or acceptance of my responses. Ever onward.
Thank you for your wonderful event last Wednesday. What you offered was astounding and transported me to a different level of consciousness.
Joe offers a beautifully unique warm safe space by simply being in his presence. His ability to listen and get to the source of what is troubling is swift, offering simple timely techniques into daily life offering immediate results. it is an honour to spend time with him.
Joe offers an astoundingly safe, honest and nurturing space through his coaching sessions. His integrity, intelligence and care has truly enabled me to develop a compassionate understanding about the relationship I hold with myself and those around me. Joe's gentle and subtle approach to experiencing life and all that it brings has enabled me to equip myself with much more appropriate, healthy and necessarily nurturing inner resources. In every moment I continue to clear so many mental, physical and spiritual blockages that I never thought would be attainable.
Joe is a wonderful therapist and a skilful listener who succeeds at creating a compassionate and non-judgemental space for you to address issues that are troubling you and work together with you to understand better and become more aware of your states of mind or patterns of behaviour. Highly recommended.
I’m a self confessed workaholic - stress head - with childhood trauma. I had lost a lot of confidence over the years and found staying in with a bottle of wine was the easiest and safest place for me until I embarked on a journey of change with Joe at Joe Summerfield. At first I was a little nervous, anxious, sceptical and didn’t really know what to expect, I must admit the 1st few sessions were a little difficult to relax and let myself open up to the process but once I got over the initial feelings, thoughts, anxiousness etc I started to become more comfortable and relaxed. I was opening up more, letting my feelings out, as time went on I was becoming more centred and balanced, I even had a very spiritual and life changing experience which has literally changed my life for the better! Joe has guided me through so many issues, given me the tools to be able to deal with the things which were creating the blockages in my life, helped me to understand and love myself more, I have become a different person. Now looking forward to what life now brings, I want to experience more, diving deeper into myself, my anxiety is almost nonexistent and the world around me feels much more connected. Joe has really opened my eyes and I can’t thank him enough! This is certainly something everyone should try with an open mind as you never know it might just work! It 100% did for me. Thank you Joe
I've been amazed by my sessions. I have been to therapists before and it always took a lot out of me. I felt raw and stripped back and it would take me the week to recover, and then it would start again at my next session. So I would stop going. I know I need help though. I found Joe and booked feeling very unsure. I have been amazed by my sessions so far. It is the opposite of my previous experiences. I leave the sessions feeling like a weight has been lifted. Lighter, happier, and much clearer about everything.
The healing journey that I shared with Joe as my guide, was quite simply profound. I never even realised that I needed healing and how wrong I was. Having always been someone who for the past 22 years has looked only to the light / positive and ignored all shadow work, I suddenly started feeling that now was the time to look at the parts of me / my memories that I kept locked in my subconscious. I felt that these shadow parts were a key reason why I kept repeating the same life patterns. The healing journey began with a deeply thought provoking session where Joe gently led the conversation to help me and him understand more about who I was at the core, and what may come up during the upcoming healing ceremony. The healing ceremony itself was a whole evening and it is hard to articulate it in words. We opened the ceremony with some heart opening ceremonial cacao, which led into a deeply immersive gong bath and shamanic drumming & meditation, as Joe led me on a journey within myself. Every step of the way, Joe was there – guiding me – holding space for me. He helped me to access memories and feelings so deeply buried in my subconscious – that I had no idea that they were even there before. We journeyed into my childhood and got straight to a time in my life that needed looking at. It was intense to say the least, but it was something that needed to be done. I felt completely safe with Joe. His gentle voice and beautiful nature meant that even though I was facing memories that felt like I was back there again, I still felt okay knowing I had Joe holding space. I have never done anything like this before. It is a vulnerable thing to open your subconscious mind to anyone outside of yourself, and yet with Joe I felt completely right in sharing this journey with him. A few days after the ceremony we had an integration session, which again was so deeply thought provoking and meaningful. The healing journey has helped me to reconnect with my authentic self. It has helped me to remember who I am – behind the linked in profile and the facebook page and the facade that we all tend to put up that says “I’m fine” to the world. Because really – we all need healing, even if we think we don’t.
The work with sound was spectacular, I melted, I was more energy than form and that in itself was a beautiful release. It was a very special experience and I look forward to the next time. I thoroughly enjoyed your energy and you compassionate flexible and gentle guidance, you have a true gift.
Joe is an excellent guide and has helped me over the years arrive gently at a place of deeper understanding when I have faced a block in the road. I trust his knowledge, kindness and deep understanding of the human condition and recommend him to any searching for clarity.
I cannot recommend Joe highly enough. He has a beautiful, soothing, calming energy and his gong playing is exquisite. He is a very easy person to open up to, knowing that you will be supported and listened to without judgement.
We attended one of Joe's workshops in a beautiful garden. It was outstanding... magical. I would thoroughly recommend.
Your session, for me, especially resonated which was a joy and a delight. I was completely lost in the experience and was floating above the clouds, much like certain birds do when they find a thermal!