About me
Availability (last updated – Fri 8th Oct 2021): At present, regular sessions are available on Tuesdays mornings. I also have some availability on Friday afternoons/ early evenings. I will update my availability as and when this changes.
If you’re looking at this directory page because you’re looking for support, well done: to have started looking is an important and often a brave step.
Whether you end up meeting with me for counselling, with another counsellor, or receiving other help, please be assured that support is out there. There are as many reasons for accessing counselling as there are people - but there are a number of common themes: these include persistent low mood, anxiety, life changes, relationship problems, and personal development (being the best you can be). An initial conversation with a counsellor - with no obligation to continue in therapy after this first meeting - can be a good way of bringing your concerns into focus, and getting a sense of whether counselling could help.
I wish you well with your search for appropriate help and support, and I look forward to hearing from you if you decide to contact me. At present (June 2021) I am able to offer phone, Zoom or 'in person' sessions to new clients, and am open to a no-obligation chat about how this can best meet your needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
I gained my Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Counselling from Fareham College, Hampshire in 2004, following four years' part-time study, a practice placement etc.
Since then, I have worked - both in counselling and in pastoral leadership roles - in youthwork charities, mainstream and special schools, Children's Centres etc (full details on request, or at my website). I have undertaken post-qualification training, and have also been involved in training other professionals, incl. Metropolitan Police officers involved in community liaison work.
I have a first degree in English Literature, and review books for Therapy Today and Private Practice magazines. I maintain a lively interest in literature and the arts; my latest feature article on what counsellors and therapists can learn from 'Coming of Age' cinema will appear in the June edition of the CYPF Journal (published by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
worry, preoccupation, low mood, feeling empty, feeling directionless, feeling dissatisfied, stress, feeling stressed, family concerns, family decisions, teenagers, adolescence, school, college, university, school refusal, friendship issues, life decisions, men's issues, fatherhood, identity issues, life stage issues, midlife crisis, work stress, retirement, LGBT issues, personal development, self-awareness, social media, social media pressures, grandparents, grandparent issues, grandparent as main carer, friendship politics, intergenerational issues
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My usual fee is £10 for the first telephone or online counselling session (which gives you a no-obligation chance to meet me and to find out if I'm someone you'd feel comfortable to work with on your concerns).
My usual fee for each subsequent counselling session is £45.
Availability
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
I am currently offering counselling by phone, via Zoom or in person from premises in Street, Somerset.
Further information
Availability (last updated – 1st June): Regular sessions are available on Tuesdays (late morning/ early afternoon). I also regularly see clients on Fridays (afternoon/ early evening) - however, I have no Friday availability at present. I will update my availability again on 7th June.
Appointments can take place via telephone or Zoom. If you live or work close to Street, Somerset, you may also wish to attend appointments face-to-face (suitable safeguards are in place to reduce coronavirus risk).
My standard fee is £10 for first appointments, £45 for each subsequent appointment. A first appointment allows you to talk with me about what leads to your interest in counselling, and may help you decide if you would wish to attend further sessions. I may be able to offer a reduction if you are unwaged or low-waged, or facing financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis.