About me
Counselling for people who are tired of holding everything together
You may look as though you are coping, but inside feel anxious, disconnected, ashamed, exhausted or unsure how to talk about what is really going on.
I work with adults who are used to being capable, responsible and self-reliant. Many of my clients have spent years holding things together for work, family or other people, while privately feeling stressed, flat, resentful, lonely or not quite themselves. This may show up as anxiety, burnout, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, grief, anger, work stress, depression, emotional numbness or a sense that life has become more about functioning than living.
Who I work with
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent over 35 years in business and leadership, so I understand something of pressure, responsibility, performance and the difficulty many people have in admitting they are struggling.
I often work with professionals, business owners, senior leaders and self-reliant adults who are more comfortable managing problems than speaking openly about how they feel.
People often come to me with anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, relationship difficulties, work pressure, depression, low self-esteem, shame, anger, redundancy or major life transitions.
How I work
My approach is thoughtful, relational and grounded. I am interested not only in what has happened to you, but in how you experience yourself and others now.
We might notice patterns such as pushing through, withdrawing, people-pleasing, avoiding conflict, overthinking, becoming self-critical, or finding it hard to ask for what you need.
I am currently in advanced postgraduate training in Gestalt psychotherapy, alongside my counselling qualifications and experience. In plain terms, this means we pay close attention to your present experience: your thoughts, feelings, bodily responses, relationship patterns and the ways you have learned to cope.
Therapy can help you understand these patterns more clearly and begin to find more choice in how you relate to yourself and others.
What therapy with me may help with
Therapy with me is not about being judged or told what to do. It is a place to slow down, speak more honestly, and explore what may be difficult to say elsewhere.
For some people, that means finding words for feelings. For others, it means understanding relationship patterns, grieving a loss, becoming less self-critical, or learning to live less from the need to hold everything together.
Starting therapy
I offer face-to-face counselling from a dedicated counselling room in my home in Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex. I also offer online and telephone counselling.
I offer a free 20-minute initial phone call so we can briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and whether working together feels like a good fit.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training, qualifications and professional background
I am a qualified counsellor and trainee Gestalt psychotherapist, currently in advanced postgraduate training with The Gestalt Centre London and London Metropolitan University.
Gestalt psychotherapy training
- Postgraduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy – The Gestalt Centre London / London Metropolitan University, 2026. Currently awaiting final results.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Gestalt Psychotherapy – The Gestalt Centre London / London Metropolitan University, 2025.
- Diploma in Professional Development: Gestalt Therapy – The Gestalt Centre London / London Metropolitan University, 2024.
Counselling qualifications
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – CPCAB, Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body.
- Certificate in Counselling Skills – CPCAB.
Professional membership
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), working within the BACP Ethical Framework.
Continuing professional development
I regularly undertake CPD in areas relevant to my practice, including:
- grief and bereavement
- men’s mental health and identity
- trauma-informed practice
- anxiety, stress and burnout
- relationship difficulties
- working with professionals, business owners and people under pressure
Previous professional experience
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent over 35 years in senior leadership and business roles. This gives me a grounded understanding of workplace stress, responsibility, performance pressure, redundancy, career transition and organisational change.
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
£70.00 per session
Additional information
50 minute sessions
Concessionary rates available subject to availability
When I work
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Further information
I offer face to face counselling in a dedicated counselling room from my home in Shenfield, Essex
Online and telephone counselling also available
