Counselor, Psychotherapist and Therapist
Hello and a warm welcome to my profile.
Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling 'stuck' in life, not knowing or fearing which way to go next. It can be a frightening and lonely experience to experience any kind of strong emotions or general discontent in life. Counselling provides you with a safe space to have a look at what you are experiencing. With compassion, I aim to build a supportive relationship with you, to enable you to make any changes you need. Or perhaps you are simply looking for somewhere to speak completely openly and freely without judgement or advice being given.
I am a BACP qualified and registered Counsellor with experience of helping people to explore their issues within a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment.
I use an integrative approach which means that I draw from a range of psychological therapies as each individual has different experiences and needs. These may include solution focussed methods, to identify what you would like to achieve or compassion focussed therapy to help develop greater self-compassion.
At the heart of this is a person-centred foundation as I believe each person is the best 'expert' of themselves and already has the answers within themselves to resolve the troubles they are facing when provided with the right environment to explore them.
Counselling gives you a safe place to explore what is going on for you and supports you towards finding the right path.
"What is person-centred counselling?"
The purpose of person-centred therapy is to facilitate our ability to "self-actualize" - the belief that all of us will grow and fulfill our potential. This approach facilitates the personal growth and relationships of a client by allowing them to explore and utilize their own strengths and personal identity. The counsellor aids this process, providing vital support to the client and they make their way through this journey.
Read more here: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/person-centred-therapy.html
I understand that making the decision to come for counselling may be a daunting step and finding the right counsellor that matches you is important. Please do get in touch through email,text or phone as this may help you decide if you would like to book a first appointment. Even if I am not the right match for you, perhaps I'll be able to point you towards someone that is.
You are by no means obligated to continue for any number of sessions if you decide that its not the right time for you- Counselling provides you with a place that is yours, and yours alone- it is important that you feel safe to take things at your own pace.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Keele and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bath Spa University. I have been qualified and working as a therapist for 12 years.
I endeavour to undertake continuing professional development courses to inform my practice.
This training has included;
Working with and supporting bereaved children and young people - Winstons Wish
Certificate in Using Creative Interventions in the Counselling Room
Foundation in Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy- University of East Anglia
Compassion focussed approaches to working with anxiety
I've worked with young people aged 11-25 in schools and universities, as well as adults in a variety of settings. I have been working in private practice with young adults and adults aged 17 and above since 2017.
Having experience of working within a school environment, I'm particularly interested in working with teachers or other school staff.
I also have a particular interest in working with life changes/transitions.This may include changes in a relationship, becoming a parent, going to university or changing jobs. When life brings new transitions, whether planned or unplanned, we are left to adapt to a new way of being which can often be unsettling and difficult to deal with.
- Keele University in 2013
- Bath Spa University in 2011
