About me
Fully qualified psychotherapist, with over 25 years experience, and a grounding in the NHS, I am able to help with a range of personal and relationship difficulties.
Many people seek therapy at a time of personal crisis and feel anxious about taking the step of seeking professional help. If you are in this position I will be sensitive to your needs whilst also offering clarity about how I can help. My main approach is Cognitive Analytic Therapy, and I see adults on a one to one basis for a wide range of difficulties including trauma. I also offer EMDR.
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Counselling or Psychotherapy - which would be best for you?
There are some differences between 'psychotherapy' and 'counselling'. Counselling is often sought in response to an immediate personal crisis or time of particular stress, and can be helpful on a short term basis (e.g typically 4-6 sessions). Psychotherapy is more applicable to address longer standing difficulties which seem to repeat over time and are explored and understood in the context of your earlier life experiences. The number of sessions tend to be longer (e.g typically between 16-32). I can explore both of these options with you to find a solution that works best for you.
The Next Step to Getting Started
If you are interested to find out more then please email me. I usually suggest a telephone call at a mutually convenient time so that we can decide the best way forward, which may be an initial meeting to explore things further before any commitment to therapy or counselling is made.
If you are interested in an online consultation on 'Zoom' please ask for this to be considered.
I have completed a Diploma in Online Counselling & Psychotherapy and offer therapy ‘online’. It is important if you are seeking an online therapist, that you check their knowledge and suitability for work online, in the same way you would check out a face to face therapist.
Therapy online may involve working via webcam, email, or instant text messaging. It is not suitable for everyone, but it can have unique benefits.
I will discuss the options for online work fully, and ensure that it is suitable by detailing information and asking you to confirm your understanding before commencing sessions.
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Cognitive Analytic Therapy - and how it can help you
If you feel you have difficulty in managing stress, anxiety, anger or depression, or feel that you seem to end up 'back to square one', Cognitive Analytic Therapy might help to make sense of things and find steps towards changing what feel like familiar patterns. These can often be understood in context of early experience and relationships where we first learnt about ourselves and the world around us.
Therapy aims initially to understand how problems originated and how problematic patterns have become repetitive and continue negatively impact on relationships and on personal well being.
I tend to draw on other therapeutic models and integrate a way of working to suit you best.
I have experience of helping with a broad range of personal emotional and relationship difficulties. I make sure that I receive regular supervision to ensure that I maintain a good quality of work. Supervision is required according to the standards of practice set out in UKCP and ACAT guidelines.
I also abide by my member organisations Codes of Ethics and Practice.
Training, qualifications & experience
- UKCP registered.
- Diploma Cognitive Analytic Therapy (4 years training, leading to UKCP registration)
- MSc. Mental Health (Psychotherapy)
- CAT Supervisor since May 2011
- Diploma in Online Psychotherapy & Counselling. May 2017.
- EMDR part 1 & 2 (part 3 May 2022).
I have worked in the NHS within South Lambeth and Maudsley NHS Trust, and at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and most recently in Oxford in the NHS as a Psychotherapist (Oxford Mental Health Trust).
I have experience in the medical field, working with people who have long terms health conditions, including diabetes, and most recently completed Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and work with trauma of all kinds.
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT) is a registered charity. They welcome members of the public, health professionals, ACAT accredited professionals, and anyone interested in finding out more about CAT. They list CAT practitioners.
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
In addition to generic areas of mental health issues/emotional well being, I also have specialist medical psychotherapy skills - integrating the physical and psychological aspects of health, in particular in relation to the physical condition of diabetes.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 - £90.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Initial telephone consultation is FREE. (approx 20 minutes)
Fees are dependent on the nature of the work required.
There may be scope for reduced fees dependant on personal circumstance, as I understand that access to therapeutic help is important. Please enquire.
Private therapy inevitably does require some financial and personal commitment in terms of cost and time. This needs to be considered and can be discussed on contact. Session = 50 minutes.
Full details available on request as fees vary according to online / in person/ weekday / weekend, and fees are reviewed periodically.
When I work
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Further information
Services offered include;
- psychotherapy assessment
- brief supportive counselling
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy
- online counselling, via webcam and email.
- EMDR / trauma
Cognitive Analytic Therapy is a brief time-limited psychotherapy which requires a commitment to weekly session of one hour.
After an initial meeting to explore your needs, we can consider how best to meet them. This will mean consideration of the type of therapy or help and the length/number of sessions.
Typically, CAT takes place over 16 weekly sessions, although in some case a longer therapy of between 24 and 32 sessions may be offered. Follow up is also arranged to review how things have changed and to reinforce the work done in the therapy.
Otherwise supportive sessions may be offered on a shorter term basis, usually mutually decided at the outset.
I am am trained in EMDR.
I will always discuss my approach with you so that you understand how I am aiming to work with you towards your therapy goals.
