About me
Life often feels messy. Sometimes we can get trapped in a storm of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that we just can't figure out how to move through, and we can be left feeling frustrated and helpless. I really understand that, it can be unbearable to feel this way and we can feel worse for not knowing how to 'fix' it. Perhaps even embarrassed we can't solve it. The truth is that you don't need to be fixed - trust me on this. Instead, you are likely at a point where you could do with the professional support and guidance to help you really listen to what's happening within, and through that process come to understand it in a different way that allows you to move forward armed with tools, insight, and hope.
In sessions I do a few different things to help you move through what you're experiencing. Firstly, we face the feelings gently, and try to learn why they are there. We make a point of really acknowledging and being with feelings in order to express them, and that can bring great relief. Just because we are overwhelmed by a feeling, doesn't mean we are truly feeling it and expressing it. I can help support you to do that.
Secondly, we explore your story, past and present, and seek to understand how you have come to be where you are. We explore the beliefs and rules for life you have developed for yourself, and will think together about what new beliefs or ideas might support you moving forward. We imagine all the possibilities of what your future could hold, and will take a light-hearted approach to developing some inspired action to move your story forward.
Thirdly, we think about what's going on in your mind and body. Symptoms of common mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, OCD, can be really uncomfortable, and at times disturbing. Thoughts can be really distressing, especially if they are intrusive and unchecked. Likewise, physical symptoms such as nausea, panic attacks, shaking, fatigue, can also be disruptive. Together we will work on some of the thought processes you are experiencing, and look to reframe, change, and quiet, internal chatter. We will also explore exercises and techniques to help you calm some of the physical sensations you are experiencing.
If you have experienced something distressing or traumatic, which continues to impact you in present day, we will safely and gently process that in sessions. Sometimes people say therapy makes you feel worse, first. It doesn't have to feel exactly like that. My training and approach is trauma-informed, and it will never feel like we are unpacking things that can't be put back. I will follow your lead, and pace, and am fully qualified in holding your distressing or traumatic experiences.
Training, qualifications & experience
Specialist areas I support with are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger Management
- Low Self-Esteem
- Self-Harm
- Experiences of Abuse
- Trauma and PTSD
- Family Issues and Conflict
- Suicidal Thoughts and Intent
- Child and Young Person Therapy
- Grief and Bereavement
- Relationship Issues
- Identity and Self-Development
- LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
- Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy
I work frequently with people of all ages who don't know what to do about how they think and feel, and want specialist support to help them move through difficult times and experiences. As a fully qualified creative arts psychotherapist, I utilise a mixture of traditional talking therapy, and creative/imaginative exercises, to help you get to the heart of what's going on, and get to the other side of distressing or traumatic experiences that have us feeling stuck on a painful loop.
What makes creative therapies effective? Well, in short, it's all of the possibilities it can offer. I can offer all of the benefits and experience of traditional talking therapy, but I bring a whole extra toolkit that can help us when we get stuck and are seeking deeper meaning. I'm trained to use creativity intentionally, and powerfully, for psychological benefit, and whilst I'll always be guided by you as to how much or little you want creative thinking to be in your process, I highly recommend being open to it in the process because it is where I tend to see the most transformation.
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
As a fully trained Dramatherapist, I am also able to offer therapy in different ways to traditional talking therapy. For example, we don't have to rely on words alone in sessions, we can use creativity as a form of communication and expression. So I can support non-verbal clients, and clients who would rather not talk during sessions.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 - £65.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
The full exchange for a 50 minute session is £60.
For a 60 minute session the exchange is £65 (mainly offered to fortnightly clients)
At any time I have limited availability to offer a reduced rate between £50 and £55, please discuss this with me if you are interested and feel this would be helpful for you at the moment, and I can let you know if a reduced rate is a possibility at the moment.
When I work
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Further information
I work in-person from the beautiful Hanham Hall, within easy access of South Gloucestershire areas, BANES, and Bristol residents alike.
There is free parking on-site and an on-site cafe.
