About me
As an experienced Person-centred counsellor, my approach is relational and empathic, based on Person-centred humanistic theory, although I sometimes incorporate other ways of working into my practice. I believe fundamentally in offering a space which feels welcoming, accepting, supportive and non-judgemental whilst you consider your thoughts and feelings around whatever brings you to counselling. I strive to offer an anti-oppressive approach to my work and my practice.
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, anxiety, relationships, work-related issues, health concerns, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+, trauma, etc, though this list is not exhaustive! However, I believe in meeting you where you are and 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 work 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, and I have regular clinical supervision.
I appreciate that it can be difficult to decide whether someone may be the right counsellor for you based on what is written here, especially when you may be feeling vulnerable, so I welcome you to contact me to discuss how I work and whether I may be the right counsellor for you.
Getting started:
Please e-mail or call me to discuss your requirements or ask any questions about how I work, etc.
I offer a free 15-minute online session, which will enable us to 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.
I offer 50-minute counselling sessions; usually held on a weekly basis, but I can work to other schedules if preferred. Our work can be open-ended, short-term or long-term work.
I can offer sessions online via Doxy or Zoom, in person, or we can discuss a blended approach. For face-to-face sessions, my counselling room is situated within a centre in Stevenage. The centre and room are wheelchair accessible. There is a free car park and bus stops close by.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am trained to CPCAB level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. My training, qualifications, continuing professional development and experience include the following:
- CPCAB Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision
- CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Skills
Some of my continuing professional development/additional training includes:
- Gender identity/trans’ awareness
- Asexuality awareness
- Tourette’s awareness
- Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD (University of Derby)
- Grief Works: Stories of life, death and surviving – Julia Samuel
- Depression: A compassionate view (University of Derby)
- Shame – 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
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.
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. I have worked with a diverse range of issues, including: Anxiety, depression, loss, grief, bereavement, gender, sexuality, relationships, family issues, health concerns and anxieties, disability, a variety of mental health concerns, suicidal thoughts, work-related stress, peri-menopause and menopause, women's health concerns, 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
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 - £60.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Session fees:
£55 online session (50-minute session)
£60 in-person session (50 minute 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.
Counselling student rate - £45 per 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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I work variable hours Monday to Friday, 10am to 6.30pm, excluding bank holidays. I offer online appointments throughout my working day and in-person appointments from 4pm to 6:30pm.
Further information
For my online sessions, I use Doxy or Zoom platforms.
For my face-to-face sessions, I work from a centre which is wheelchair accessible. The centre is based within a small shopping centre which has free car parking and bus stops nearby.
