About me
My approach; it's about keeping it real, honest with genuine empathy. As a Person-Centred Therapist, I focus on the presenting issues and work through them together with you unpicking unresolved blocks from life those experiences. To do this I make sure we have safe space where there is mutual trust and respect, sometimes using play and humour to unpick those difficult issues together. I offer telephone and online sessions as well as in-person sessions at Broadmead Community Church, Northampton NN3 2QY.
I have worked in residential care for over 27 years and provided high-quality living standards for young people in care aged 8 to 25. I have supported neurodivergent young adults with various challenges such as mental health difficulties, dual diagnosis, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and learning difficulties. As bank staff, I still support young people in this role from time to time and acknowledge how important it is.
I have provided Therapeutic Counselling around Grief with Children and Young People working through their bereavement for 4 Years, and at present my full time role is working for Charity Counselling Children and Young people from the ages of 8 to 25.
I feel privileged to have been in these roles and feel this has enabled to be the best version of myself. These experiences have enhanced my ability to think therapeutically and very much value what I do.
In addition to my organisational roles, I maintain a private practice where I work with a wide range of individuals, children, young people, and adults.
The private practice has risen out of wealth of experience I have gained over the years, enabling me to provide you with an therapeutic experience, opening doors to change and understand.
Note I only work on a 1 to 1, basis no couples
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications/Training Relevant to Counselling and Working with Children and Young People:
BA Honours in Psychology and Sociology
Introduction to Transactional analysis with The Berne Institute
BACP Certificate of Proficiency
CPCAB Level 5 Diploma working with Children & Young People
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
NVQ 5 in Leadership & Management Working with Children & Young People
NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care
NVQ 4 in Registered Managers Award for Adults
NVQ 3 in Looking after Young Children
Safeguarding/Child Protection
Keeping Children Safe Online (NSPCC)
Equality and Diversity
Seminar with Missing Persons Unit and RISE
Attachment: Knowledge and Practice with CAMHS
Child Sexual Exploitation
Flashbacks and Mental Capacity Act
PTSD and Bulimia
Deprivation of Liberty Training
Self-Harm with Young People
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Mourning
Trauma-Informed Responses
Mentalisation in Self Harm in Adolescence (UCL Conference: Peter Fonagy )
Child Protection
CORC Training (British Red Cross)
Boundaries and Structure & Attachment Theory
Oliver McGowan Training on Learning Disability and Autism
The following are some of the issues I have addressed over the last 25 years:
Abuse
ADHD
Anger management
Anxiety
Asperger's syndrome
Attachment and trauma
Attachment disorder in children
Autism
Behaviour problems
Bereavement
Borderline personality disorder
Bullying
Cancer
Carer support
Child-related issues
Child asylum seekers
Childhood bereavement
Childhood bullying
Children’s learning difficulties
Depression
Depression and anxiety in children
Disabilities
Discrimination
Emotional abuse
Family issues
Feeling sad
Gender dysphoria
Generalised anxiety disorder
Infertility
Learning difficulties
Loneliness
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
Narcissistic personality disorder
Physical abuse
Pregnancy and birth
Relationship issues
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Separation anxiety
Sexual abuse
Sexuality
Stress
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma
Work-related stress
Bottom of Form
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
£40.00 - £55.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Business arrangements of our relationship.
Cost and payment:
The cost of each 60-minute session at £55.00 payable via BACS or with cash during the appointment.
Counselling students, including those that require a counsellor working in a person-centred modality, are charged at a flat rate: £40.00 per session. (Evidence from your training provider will secure this lower rate).
Please note: You must be taking a core practitioner training course in counselling. I cannot offer lower rates to those studying psychology, hypnotherapy, social work or coaching at this time and your course must be one year full-time or two years part-time where it is classroom based with at least 70% face to face tuition.
Fees will be reviewed annually. If you fail to pay or arrange payment for two consecutive sessions, you will not be able to schedule more until the debt is settled.
Cancellation:
If I am unwell or need to schedule a break in our work, I will provide as much notice as possible. If I cancel an appointment at short notice there will be no charge, and I will reschedule it. If you do not attend a session without providing notice, there will still be a charge.
If you give 7 days notice this would allow the community centre to work out the weekly plan for the room and give us time to reschedule without charge. However, if you cancel less than 48 hours before the appointment, in most cases you will be charged for the appointment. If you fail to attend any two appointments without prior notice, I will assume you no longer wish to continue, and our sessions will be brought to a close.
If there is a technical problem with an online session at either end, I will seek alternative ways to contact you (e.g., a phone call). If the session cannot go ahead for technical reasons, we will reschedule and there will be no charge.
When I work
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Can only work between 5.00pm and 8.00pm, any other times can be negotiated if online or by phone
Further information
My Perspective on Person-Centred Therapy
The Core Principles I Value
Unconditional Positive Regard
I believe it’s vital to approach every individual with openness and an absence of judgment, appreciating their unique experiences and intrinsic worth. This kind of acceptance creates a secure environment where they can express their thoughts and feelings freely and without fear.
Empathy
To me, empathy is about genuinely understanding someone’s perspective and emotions. By stepping into their shoes, I aim to help them feel truly seen and heard, fostering a connection that facilitates their journey toward self-awareness and healing.
Congruence
I value authenticity in relationships, especially in therapeutic ones. Being honest and transparent in expressing my thoughts and feelings, while remaining sensitive, allows for a space of mutual trust and respect. It encourages others to embrace their truth within the relationship.
My Goals for Person-Centred Therapy
The essence of person-centred therapy, as I see it, is supporting individuals in building self-esteem, cultivating their personal growth, and achieving emotional well-being. I strive to help others develop self-awareness and self-compassion, empowering them to face challenges with resilience and courage. Collaboratively, I work with them to identify their unique needs and aspirations, ensuring we explore the best paths forward and provide additional support when necessary.
