About me
I believe every person deserves the opportunity to become the best version of themselves and fulfil their true potential.
I also believe everyone has the capacity to achieve this, regardless of their circumstances or where they are in life
When you feel stuck
If you are feeling lost, stuck, frustrated, sad, worried and the old you feels a long way away then I can work with you to explore things further.
When something needs to change
Perhaps you can see clearly where you are trying to get to but it feels impossible for one reason or another and you don’t know where to start – again, I can work with you to explore this.
When you're ready to invest in you
If you are struggling with life, your purpose, role, motivation, confidence – I am here for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications & Professional Membership
- Registered Member of the BACP (MBACP)
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Additional CPD in Suicide Awareness and Online Counselling
Partnership
During my training I partnered with Blackburn Carers Service and continue to provide counselling with them through voluntary and subsidised services.
I love learning about counselling & psychotherapy, personal development and psychology – I see it as life-long learning which will never stop.
Working Background
Prior to counselling, I achieved a BA Hons Business Studies Degree and have worked in senior leadership positions for more than 25 years in Charities; Health & Social Care; Public Sector organisations and projects. I have run my own businesses and I continue to balance being a Director of a global business alongside my counselling work.
Personal Background
I grew up in Essex before attending university in Liverpool, where I stayed living for 8 years before moving to Lancashire 20 years ago. This is my home, where I live with my wife and 2 daughters
I love playing & watching cricket and the guitar, gardening, sunshine, travel – and living my life!
Like everyone, I have had a varied life with some really difficult parts alongside truly amazing times. I am well used to juggling the pace and quantity of modern day working & family life, and the challenges that brings.
You are welcome here, exactly as you are. In the counselling room you can slow down, take a breathe, explore your own feelings. I will listen to you with no judgement. I am here for you, whatever it is you need to explore.
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
Areas I help with
Rather than list countless ‘conditions’, I like to simply say – I can help you to explore whatever is important to you currently.
The thing you are pondering about, perhaps worrying or struggling with, or maybe positive about but lacking confidence or the ability to make decisions to move forward.
Counselling is about giving you the time & space to talk, to be listened to wholly, and for you to listen to yourself and understand the right way forward.
It is a unique space we hold where I am fully concentrated listening to you – with positivity, support, no opinion, no judgement and complete trust. This is what I offer you.
I believe in you and want you to do the same.
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Initial 15 minute welcome phonecall - no fee
This is time for me to introduce myself and tell you about how I work.
You can tell me about what you are looking to explore through counselling, if you are comfortable to do so.
I hope this call gives you a flavour of whether you would like to book an initial session with me, or not. It is totally ok if you do not feel like you wish to continue with me at this stage.
Initial Session £55
This is time for me to talk through our Counselling Agreement which I will send to you before our first session. This outlines the way we will work together – my professional standards & responsibilities. It also outlines what I ask for in return. Confidentiality is usually something people want to understand and we cover this fully.
You can ask any questions about how we will work together, about counselling, anything you like.
We can then move into what you are looking to explore through counselling and about you. I hope by the end of session 1 you understand how we can work together and we are ready for the next steps. At this stage, it is totally ok if you do not feel like you wish to continue with me. I would not want to work with the wrong counsellor for me, and I do not want you to either.
Further Sessions £55
Trainee Therapists on recognised Level 4 Diploma or above Courses
Student rates are available on request.
Finding the right counsellor for you
I believe it is vital you find the right counsellor for you. I know this can be daunting and difficult when you only have a website to go on. This is why an introductory phone call and our first session together helps.
If I become the right counsellor for you – great, let’s work together, but if something doesn’t click that is absolutely fine – I can support you to find the right counsellor for you if that is the case.
When I work
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Further information
I believe every person deserves to become the best version of themself and achieve their own potential…
…no matter what the circumstances of their life at any point. I also believe every person has it within themselves to do this.
I wonder if you are
Feeling Stuck
If you are feeling lost, stuck, frustrated, sad, worried and the old you feels a long way away then I can work with you to explore things further.
Lacking clarity & confidence
If you can see where you are trying to get to but it feels impossible for one reason or another and you don’t know where to start – again, I can work with you to explore this.
Trying to find yourself again
If you are struggling with life, your purpose, role, motivation, confidence – I am here for you.
Counselling is unique to, and for, you
Everybody considers counselling for a different reason, it is unique to you and I approach how I work individually.
The work can be challenging - and inspiring
Counselling can be challenging, yet also hugely inspiring. If you are ready ‘to do the work’ I would love to do this with you.
Having studied and trained over 5 years, and having worked with many people along the way I have learned how unique and powerful counselling can be for you.
Counselling absolutely changed my own life age 40 following, what was for me, an incredibly difficult time that made me question everything about myself and lose my sense of who I was.
A hopeful, individual approach
My favourite counselling theory believes that every individual is trying their best at any given point in time and is striving to move forward. That every individual knows what is best for them and has the answers (but sometimes they can be difficult to see or contemplate on your own).
My approach to counselling is to support you to understand where you are at, where you want to get to and to understand yourself within everything. I work at your pace, in the best way for you. I do not profess to know what is best for you – I believe you have the answer to that – but I will give my absolute all to working with you to achieve whatever it is you are hoping to gain through counselling.
We will work together, in a way that revolves around you
Integreative Counselling
My Integrative approach is grounded in Person Centred Theory – talking & listening, paying attention to feelings, concentrating on yourself.
My experience and skills allow me to integrate elements of other theories, practices, tools and techniques – when this is right for you.
Psychodynamic
Early years, childhood, significant others and relationships.
Attachment Theory
Relationships, how you interact with others and how others interact with you.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Being aware of your thoughts, deciding what to do with them (or not) in reality, in your words and actions.
Grief & Loss
I believe grief & loss plays a significant part in everybody’s life, whether through death, loss of work, relationships, purpose, roles…and so much more. Understanding how grief & loss is playing a part in your life can be very important.
Finding the right counsellor for you
I believe it is vital you find the right counsellor for you. I know this can be daunting and difficult when you only have a website to go on. This is why an introductory phone call and our first session together helps.
If I become the right counsellor for you – great, let’s work together, but if something doesn’t click that is absolutely fine – I can support you to find the right counsellor for you if that is the case.
