About me
As an experienced Person-centred counsellor, my approach is warm and relational. The way I work is based on Person-centred theory, meaning I meet you with empathy, authenticity and non-judgement. As an IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed therapist, I may invite you to consider how parts of you may be presenting and interacting and I can also incorporate other ways of working into my practice depending on your needs, if this feels useful.
We would discuss what I can offer and what you feel you might prefer from an approach, but however we work together, I believe fundamentally in meeting you where you are, offering a space which feels welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental whilst you consider whatever brings you to counselling. I will work collaboratively with you. I am not here to diagnose, pathologise, or ‘fix’ you. I believe in meeting you with curiosity as a unique, whole person, without making assumptions. I am an LGBTQ+ Allied and so I am able to offer a space which is not just accepting, but is positively affirming.
Having qualified as a counsellor in 2006, I have a great deal of experience in working with a variety of issues and concerns, such as depression and anxiety; relationships; work-related issues; health concerns; neurodiversity; grief and loss; identity; oppression and marginalisation related to LGBTQ+ and Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD), trauma, women’s health, etc.
I strive to offer an anti-oppressive approach to my work and my practice, developing a professional therapeutic relationship which will enable you to feel trusting enough of the space and of me, to share what may be going on for you. This is the foundation of counselling and is imperative to the work, so it’s important to ensure you are working with someone you feel comfortable with.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and so am bound by their code of ethics. To support my ethical practice, I maintain my skills and knowledge by taking additional training and engaging in regular continuing professional development. I have regular clinical supervision to ensure I am working in the best possible way to meet your needs. I am DBS checked, fully insured for practice and registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office).
Alongside my private practice, I am also a course tutor for a counselling academy, having taught on CPCAB courses at levels 2-4 for the past 12 years and I am a qualified Clinical Supervisor. So, if you are a student counsellor looking for a counsellor for your course hours, I can offer a space for you which is understanding of your training experience alongside your personal process and I can sign off any training provider counselling hours requirements.
I appreciate it can be difficult and maybe daunting to decide whether someone may be the right counsellor for you based on what is written here, especially when you may be feeling vulnerable. I’ve been in that position myself, so I welcome you contacting me to ask any questions, discuss how I work and whether I may be the right counsellor for you.
Getting started:
Please contact me to discuss your requirements or ask any questions about how I work, etc.
I offer a free 15-minute online appointment, which will enable you to meet me, ask any questions, discuss how I work and for me to find out a little bit more about you and what you might want or need from counselling. There is no obligation to book a full session after this.
My counselling sessions are 50 minute sessions. However, following a first session, I can also offer half sessions (25 minutes) as part of my anti-oppressive approach. This may be useful if you struggle to attend a full session due to brain fog, neurodiversity, or any other reason, so we can discuss whether this may be something you require.
Sessions are usually held weekly, but I can work to other schedules if preferred. Our work can be open-ended, short-term or long-term work. I currently offer sessions online via Zoom or Doxy.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am qualified to CPCAB level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision. My training and qualifications include the following:
- IFS (Internal Family Systems) Foundation Training – IFS Institute
- CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision
- CPCAB Introduction to Group Supervision Certificate
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Level 3 Certificate in Education & Training (RQF)
- Certificate in Online Practice – Online Therapy Institute
With additional training, experience and continuing professional development in the following:
- Tourette’s awareness training – Tourettes Action
- Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD - University of Derby
- Depression: A compassionate view - University of Derby
- Shame Shields – Dr Brene Brown PhD
- Panic Attacks
- The Role of Diagnosis in Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Trauma Training
- GSRD - Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity - Dominic Davies
- Menopause awareness & understanding
- Dr Sarah Burgamy - Understanding Non-binary Gender
- Dr Dwight Turner - Holding Political Polarities in Counselling & Psychotherapy: An intersectional Approach
- Identity In Question – Open University
In addition to this, I have also written and delivered experiential training workshops on the topics of:
- Identity
- Self-Care & Ethics in Practice
- Trans’ awareness
- GSRD – Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity
- Anti-Oppressive Counselling Practice
I have worked in a variety of settings from education to mental health charities as well as private practice. This has offered me valuable experience in working with a variety of clients. My experience means that I have worked with a diverse range of issues, including: Anxiety, depression, loss and grief, bereavement, gender, sexuality, relationships (traditional and non-traditional), family issues, health concerns and anxieties, disability, a variety of mental health concerns, diagnoses and their impact, suicidal thoughts, work-related stress, peri-menopause and menopause, women's health, low self-esteem, trauma, childhood experience, self-harm, bullying, life stages and age-related concerns, LGBTQIA+, neurodiversity.
Member organisations
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
I specialise in working with:
Women's issues - Women's health such as Peri-menopause, menopause, PMS, PMDD, adenomyosis, endometriosis, along with the impact this can have on work, relationships, mental health, quality of life, including living with chronic pain, feeling like your body is not your own, or what it used to be, navigating support and advocating for yourself, especially in the face of oppression.
I am Allied to the LGBTQIA+ community and I work with Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) and relationships in traditional and non-traditional forms.
Therapies offered
Fees
£35.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Session fees:
£70.00 (50 minute online session)
£35.00 (25 minute online session)
Discounted rates:
I have a limited number of online sessions which I am able to offer at a reduced rate - please ask for details/availability.
Student Counsellor rate - £45 per session (50 minute session)
Please note: 24 hours' notice is required for cancellations, otherwise there is a charge for the missed session.
When I work
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Further information
I am currently only able to offer online sessions, for which, I use Zoom or Doxy platforms.
Flexible diary approach:
I use a flexible diary approach to my work, to enable you to book a session to fit your needs/schedule, so your appointment does not have to be on the same time/day for each session, but instead can be booked according to availability. I am happy to offer the same time/day if you prefer, but for people who may work shifts or have other demands on time, flexible appointments can be useful.
I specialise in working with:
Women's health - Women's health such as Perimenopause, menopause, PMS, PMOS/PCOS, PMDD, adenomyosis, endometriosis, along with the impact this can have on work, relationships, mental health, quality of life, including living with chronic pain, feeling like your body is not your own, or what it used to be, navigating support and advocating for yourself.
I am Allied to the LGBTQIA+ community, and I work with Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD), including relationships in traditional and non-traditional forms.
