About me
I understand how living with distress, feeling unwanted or unheard, and not being able to see a way forward can be hurtful and corrosive. I will work alongside you to explore your situation and the changes that you may wish to make. I will give close, affirming attention to what you are saying and feeling.
I have extensive training and experience of working with different forms of loss, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. As a psychotherapist, I draw upon 18 years of experience of working with private individuals, referrals from businesses, and emergency and medical services.
I will provide a safe, confidential space in which you will feel accepted and heard.
Why do we go to counselling?
It may start with the loss of a relationship, difficulty at work, anxiety, or childhood abuse/adverse childhood experiences but it can also manifest as feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, feeling excluded, losing confidence or not being able to see a way forward.
How can counselling help?
Counselling offers a safe and non-judgmental space to explore feelings and concerns. It can provide both a sense of release, validation and insight as to why we are feeling the way we are. The process of sharing with a safe, trained, other, allows us to reframe past experiences without feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. This trusting relationship that the client and counsellor build together supports the forging of new ways of seeing yourself and your situation. We formulate strategies to "hold" you through a difficult period. As you begin to feel more confident about your strengths and resources, past wounds can be healed and your sense of autonomy increases.
The relationship we develop together is key to enabling healing and growth.
What can I offer you?
Practicalities The initial consultation is an opportunity to explore what you would like from counselling. We then may work short term - usually six to eight sessions - or longer term depending on what you want. I can work flexibly in terms of face to face or online or a mixture of both. I aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment which helps to engender relaxation and reflection.
I am very happy to talk with you prior to making an appointment so that you can decide if you want to proceed to an initial consultation.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training and Qualifications:
My formal qualifications are given below. Additionally, I have researched and worked with trauma, loss, anxiety and adult attachment. I have published articles on the impact of bereavement and wounded attachment.
- Working with Trauma and Dissociation (Confer)
- Working with Adult Attachment (how our attachment patterns influence our relationships)
- EMDR Level 3 (EMDR Training Europe)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Supervision (University of Leeds)
- BACP Accreditation (BACP)
- MA in Counselling (University of Leeds)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling (University of Leeds)
- Couples Counselling (Relate, Rugby)
- Diploma in Professional Studies in Education: Guidance and Counselling (West London Institute of Higher Education)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (University of London)
Experience My professional life has been about working to make a difference. I have worked with the police for over 12 years as a trauma counsellor. I have been a clinical supervisor for counsellors working in charities and for individuals working in the medical profession. Previously, I was a teacher and student Services Manager, and delivered training for Early Years Practitioners and their management teams.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Some of my areas of expertise include
Attachment and Relationship: how attachment patterns and family dynamics can influence our relationship choices and our responses within our relationships.
Trauma resolution: specifically using EMDR to process disturbing memories & reduce emotional, somatic and behavioural symptoms of the associated anxiety.
Work environment: organisational change; inappropriate work demands; bullying & harassment: work-related stress; assertiveness; retirement.
Student issues: relationships; self-care, anxiety, isolation; study problems
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My standard fees are £75.00 per session for an hour's appointment. Once we have engaged in counselling together the fee may be negotiable.
Concessions are offered for trainee counsellors.
When I work
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Tuesday to Thursday - from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Further information
I work in a very pleasant and private location in Much Wenlock. The Consulting room is on the ground floor with private external access.
Situated 12 miles south of Shrewsbury, 7 miles south of Telford, 8 miles north of Bridgnorth and 19 miles west of Wolverhampton.
Easy and accessible off-street parking is available and very close to the 436/437 Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth bus routes.
I am also a Qualified Counselling Supervisor (PGC Counselling Supervision, Leeds University) and offer group and individual supervision to students and practising counsellors.
