About me
Hello and welcome.
Seeking counselling can be daunting, we often do not like to admit that we feel a bit vulnerable, but once you have taken that first step I hope you will find it a valuable and positive experience. I have an empathetic and non-judgmental approach and would like you to feel you can be your true self. It is important that you feel I can offer the support you are looking for, and for that reason I offer a free initial telephone consultation.
We are capable of change. As a person-centred counsellor my aim is for you to feel listened to and understood with empathy and compassion. I can offer you time, at your own pace, in which to explore your feelings and concerns, to gain greater self-awareness and resilience, and move forward to a more fulfilling life.
It may not be your own mental health issues you are dealing with, you may be living with someone who struggles with their mental health and you would like some support for yourself in this situation.
I am passionate about supporting those in the role of unpaid carer. It can be a privilege to care for a loved one, but often one's own needs and limits are forgotten in the daily responsibilities. I have experienced with clients how much it has helped them to be able to acknowledge some of the conflicting emotions associated with their role and to realise the importance of their own self-care.
Similarly, responsibilities of juggling home, family and work can lead to unrecognised overhwhelm and burnout.
You may be experiencing anxiety, depression, anger or low self-esteem. You may have experienced trauma or loss, either in bereavement or ending of a relationship or career. You may just be feeling a bit sad.
My working background is as a medical secretary. I have many years' experience of supporting patients through challenging times when they may have been feeling vulnerable.
As well as my private counselling practice, I am a volunteer counsellor with the local Crossroads Carers' Charity and also the Heart of Kent Hospice.
Training, qualifications & experience
Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in Telephone & On-line Counselling
Further training in:
Grief and Bereavement Awareness
Trauma Based Therapy
Suicide Awareness (Mind)
I continue my learning through reading about new research, undergoing regular supervision and attending educational meetings and talks.
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 - £65.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free, no obligation, initial 20-30 minute telephone or video consultation. This is to gain an understanding of what has brought you to therapy. If you would like to arrange this please contact me by clicking on the email box at the top of my profile, or use the Book Intro Call link.
I typically provide open-ended therapy, but it is possible to work in a more focused way with a shorter block of sessions.
