About me
Originally from Ireland and qualified through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, I have spent nearly 30 years working with children and young people aged 6 months to 18 years across a variety of educational settings. Through violin, cello, and musical theatre, I have helped children develop confidence, creativity, communication, and self-expression.
Alongside my teaching career, I developed a strong interest in therapeutic work with children and adolescents. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Play Skills from Leeds Beckett University and am a fully accredited Play Therapy Practitioner, as well as a Northern Guild qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.
My work is integrative, meaning I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to meet the individual needs of each child or young person.
Over the years, I have supported children experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:
- anxiety and low self-esteem
- ASD and ADHD
- emotional and behavioural difficulties
- trauma and bereavement
- attachment difficulties
- bullying and selective mutism
- family separation, illness, and change
I also support parents using a Non-Violent Resistance approach.
My Approach
I believe that a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship is at the heart of helping children feel safe, understood, and able to express themselves.
My approach is warm, playful, and child-centred.
I offer a range of interventions such as Sand Tray, Music, Puppets, Arts and Crafts, Clay Modelling, and Therapeutic Stories, to name but a few.
I aim to help children build emotional regulation, resilience, and self-confidence, while also offering support and guidance to parents navigating difficult situations.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (BACP)
- Post-Grad in Therapeutic Play Practitioner (PTUK)
- Degree in Working with Children & Young People
Continual Professional Development (CPD) Courses that I studied:
- Child Development
- Working with Bereavement
- Neurodiversity (Autism, ASD/ADHD)
- Integrative Sand Tray
- Music Therapy
- Story and Metaphor
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Play Therapy UK is the largest organisation governing therapeutic play and play therapy in the United Kingdom. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
£70.00 per session
Additional information
- I offer a free 15-minute exploratory call.
- This is followed by a parent/carer assessment session (£60) to gain a deeper understanding of your child’s needs and how I can best support them.
- Weekly sessions are £70 and are available either face-to-face or online.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
I provide in-person or online sessions, each will be 50 minutes long.
I have a private practice in Harrogate, with free parking.
I am within easy reach of Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Boroughbridge, Thirsk, Pately Bridge, Hampswaite, Knaresborough, and Harrogate.
