About me
I am an experienced counsellor with 20 years of practice, within a range of sectors. I offer confidential counselling for individuals and couples within a warm welcoming and non-judgemental environment and I’m based in East Belfast.
I am a registered member with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited registrant with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. (NCPS) I am committed to providing ethical, professional and compassionate support.
I work within an integrative, trauma informed therapeutic perspective, drawing from range of evidence based approaches, including Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic therapy. this allows me to tailor therapy to each individual or couple, recognising that no two people are the same.
Together, we will work in a way that reflects your unique experiences, personality, circumstances and goals. whether you are facing a specific challenge or seeking a greater understanding of yourself, I will provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels right for you.
I believe that a safe and strong therapeutic relationship, built on trust, empathy and respect is at the heart of meaningful and lasting change. We are not meant to go through life on our own and especially in the most difficult times and with me you don’t have to. If we are honest we need each other more than we realise.
How counselling can help
I believe that healing begins with feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood. A counselling relationship can provide a safe, confidential and nonjudgemental space, where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences openly. It is a place where you can share your story at your own pace and feel supported in becoming your authentic self.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving us feeling stuck, uncertain or disconnected from ourselves. Although, we cannot change the past or erase painful experiences, we can work together to understand how these experiences may be affecting you today. By exploring the obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from moving forward, we can begin the process of healing growth and positive change.
My aim is to support you in gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, helping you make sense of your experiences, develop healthier ways of coping and find a path toward greater emotional resilience and wellbeing. Together, we can work towards helping you build a life that feels more balanced, meaningful and fulfilling.
I work with people impacted by or experiencing a wide range of issues, including;
Anxiety
Depression
low self esteem and confidence
Relationship difficulties
Bereavement, grief and loss
Postnatal depression,
Spiritual concerns
Sexual orientation and identity
Suicidal bereavement
Self harm and suicidal thoughts
Life transitions and personal development.
Above all, I believe counselling is a collaborative process. This is your story, your journey and your growth. My role is to provide a safe, compassionate and supportive space where you feel empowered to explore your experiences and work toward the changes that most matter to you.
What to expect in your first counselling session.
your first Counselling session is a gentle opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and a safe, supportive and confidential space. It is completely natural to feel a little unsure before your first appointment but we will take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Individual sessions will last 50 minutes while couple’s sessions last 90 minutes.
At the beginning of our work together, we will go through the therapeutic contract, which you will have received by email. This is simply to ensure everything is clear and to give you a chance to ask any questions you may have about how we will work together.
We will then begin to explore what has brought you to counselling, including your current concerns and any relevant past experiences that may be contributing to how you are feeling now. We will also talk about your hopes for therapy and what you would like to gain from the process.
Your first session is a chance for you to get a feel for counselling and to decide whether it feels like the right support for you at this time. Just as importantly, It allows us both to consider whether we feel we can work together, as a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship is at the heart of effective counselling.
There is absolutely no pressure to share everything in the first session. You are in control of what you choose to talk about. Talking with me is not the same as talking to your GP, you are the expert on your own life and I am taking my lead from you. We will move at pace that feels right for you, always keeping your safety and wellbeing at the centre of our work together.
Professional Supervision
To ensure I provide the highest standard of care, all of my counselling work is supported by regular professional supervision.
Supervision Is an essential part of ethical counselling practice. It provides me with the opportunity to reflect on my work with an experienced Counselling Supervisor, helping to ensure that I continue to work safely, ethically and in your best interests.
Everything discussed in supervision remains confidential and your identity is always protected. The purpose of supervision is to support me in offering you the best possible care, while maintaining professional standards and safeguarding both you and the therapeutic process.
Training, qualifications & experience
- UU Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling (Formally Diploma)
- AQA Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB level 5 Diploma in Trauma Informed Counselling Children and Young people.
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Accredited with National Counselling Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Registered member with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
I regularly attend training to keep up to date with safe and best practice:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Child and Vulnerable Adult protection training
- Brief Solution Focused Therapy
- Suicide and Self Harm Risk Assessing
- ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training)
- Working with Domestic Violence and Sexual violence
- Dual Diagnosis (Addiction and Mental Health)
- The Intoxicated Client (Keeping them Safe)
- LGBT awareness
- Working with marginalised groups
- Trauma Recovery
- Effects of Drugs and Alcohol
- Clinical note taking (legal consultation)
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
£31.00 - £60.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£31 -£60 Counselling/Therapy Session.
£31 for individual Session (50mins)
£60 for a couples session (1.5hrs)
Reduced rate offered for Individuals receiving benefits and students and again I am more then happy to discuss your particular needs further. I can accept both cash and card payments.
Further information
Practical details about my practice
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have primarily offered counselling online through my private practice. online sessions provide a flexible, secure and accessible way to access therapy from the comfort of your own home.
if we agree that meeting in person would be more beneficial, I can arrange sessions in a suitable venue in the East Belfast area. I aim to choose a location with good public transport links and accessible facilities to accommodate people with a range of disabilities and individual needs.
If you have any specific accessibility requirements or would like to discuss the most suitable option for your sessions, please do get in touch. I will do my best to ensure that therapy Is as accessible and comfortable as possible for you.
