About me
Are you tired of having to figure this out on your own? Do you just wish someone would actually listen to you instead of giving you advice, trying to 'fix' it, pretending to listen, or waiting for an opportunity to talk about themselves? I care, and I will listen to you. I will help you make sense of this, and I will help support you to go in the direction you want to go again.
I can help with those racing thoughts you may be having - the doubting of yourself, worrying what others think, the world, and what the future holds. I can help with any challenges that you may be facing in your personal relationships – be it romantic or familial. Perhaps, your current mental health has knocked your confidence, or you are struggling with self-esteem - I can support you to find out why this may have happened and to help build your belief in self again. Maybe you have been feeling low/ depressed for some time, I can sit alongside you to figure it out to be able to find happiness and meaning when it feels that it has been lacking.
I have worked for over 11 years as a child and adult therapist, so there is little I have not worked with. With adults I work as an integrative therapist (which in plain English) means I will use the best therapeutic approach that suits you at the time - it will always be about me working in a way that best suits you, never you having to fit my way of working. We can deal with issues in the present only, we could explore how the past affects the here-and-now issues, we could look at some 'tools' you could take away to help you in between sessions, and we can take things at the pace you feel comfortable at. I can be challenging if you want/ need me be to, but I can also be there to be warm and encouraging. The space is yours to feel comfortable enough to express yourself in the ways you need to.
(My integrative approach that incorporates psychodynamic therapy, person-centred, CBT, mindfulness and existentialism.)
To the parents: Are you fed up of being pushed from pillar to post trying to get support for your child? Are you tired of no one really 'getting it?' Your child is the most important person in the world and I appreciate how lonely and challenging it can be just trying to get the support for your child that they deserve.
With children I work as a play therapist (ages 5-11. Older children may be considered if play therapy would suit them better than traditional 'talking' therapy) - what does this mean? I originally started as a typical talking therapist with children until I realised I was doing them a disservice. You cannot simply talk at a child like adults do and expect a response - this is not how children communicate and express. Children express through play, creativity, music, clay, role play, sand... and more! There is a saying that 'toys are the words, and play is the language', and I firmly believe this. Since working as a play therapist I have been able to communicate with a child on their level and they feel seen and heard.
For adults: I offer short-term therapy (6-8 sessions) to longer, open-ended therapy.
For children: Short term therapy is 12 sessions, and be extended in blocks of 6.
Training, qualifications & experience
The qualifications I hold are:
- Foundation Degree in Counselling
- Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling
- BSc (Honours) in Psychology with First Class Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology (Distinction)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (Distinction)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (Distinction)
- Level 6 Diploma in Counselling Supervision
- Cruse Bereavement training
- Certificate in trauma-informed counselling
Ongoing Training:
- Masters in Psychology
I have a special interest in supporting those that have been on the receiving end of those with Narcissism, as well as those that believe they may have Narcissistic traits. My website has some information on this, but please note this is not a one size fits all. There are many types of narcissism and I would work with you on how to best manage relating to another who you believe may be narcissistic. I appreciate how challenging it can be when you cannot simply 'cut them out' of your life as you may be related to them in some way (child/parent/sibling/ parent of a shared child, etc).
I also have specialist training in play therapy with primary aged children. I decided to specialise in this because it is incredibly challenging for a child to verbalise what is going on for them. This is where talking therapy becomes a block to communication whereas play allows the child to express in a way that suits them best. This can be through clay, sand tray, drawing, art, music, dress up, role play, etc.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fee for a 50 minute session is £60. Each session will last 50 minutes where a contract for our work together will be agreed at the end of the session if you wish to continue.
There is limited availability for reduced fees for those in financial hardship. Reduced fees are negotiated before the first session. Sessions tend to be once a week, though I can do fortnightly. I will not offer a lower frequency than fortnightly initially. As therapy comes to a draw it can often reduce in frequency.
I operate a 24 hour cancellation policy.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
Please contact me to discuss the work that we can do together, if I do not pick up please leave a message and I will contact you back within 24 hours.
Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access.
