About me
I am an Accredited Member of the NCPS and a qualified Pluralistic counsellor/psychotherapist with in-depth knowledge, including my own lived and life experience, of many of the issues clients bring to me. Pluralistic essentially means I believe no single counselling approach will fit every client and their individual presenting issues. Each and everyone of us is unique, therefore a 'one size fits all' approach is redundant and inadequate in successfully helping you, the client, to achieve your therapeutic goals and to heal.
I offer a warm, supportive, caring, confidential, and non-judgemental safe space in which you can be heard with respect, honesty and authenticity on my part, compassionate and at times challenging. I tailor my approach to you, using a variety of different strategies with your agreement, which helps build a strong, relational bond between us, this being the biggest predicator of a successful therapeutic outcome. At the heart of my open, enlightened conversational counselling style is the firm belief you can be the best version of yourself, in spite of or indeed sometimes because of the circumstances of one's upbringing, societal expectations and life events you have endured or been through.
I make sure you feel 'heard,' something that all of us need at times, and help you work through whatever is distressing you and causing you hurt and confusion - whether this be trauma-related, unhelpful and destructive thought patterns, emotional dysregulation, co-dependency and attachment issues, addictive behaviours or struggling with ADHD and other neurodiverse symptoms. I can guide you to be kind to and truly value yourself, being your own best friend, building your self-esteem, sense of identity and self-worth from the inside out rather than the outside in.
There is a passion and a willingness on my part to walk with you on your journey towards healing. The Japanese have a word 'Kintsugi' which refers to the act of repairing broken objects with gold solder. The flaw is seen as a unique piece of the object's history, which adds to its beauty. We are all flawed and, to a degree, broken - but we can heal. Your healing is your story. Fix yourself with love and let me help you on this journey.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Accredited Member of National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) - NCS23-00342
- King's Trust Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice - 603/6873/1
- Prince's Trust Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory - 603/6872/X
- I hold certificates in Trauma Informed Care, Psychologically Informed Environments, and Motivational Interviewing
- Trained Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) practitioner
- Trained ASIST practitioner (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
- Four years' experience of working in the Alcohol and Drug Addiction sector
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.
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
I have lived experience of a late diagnosis of ADHD (when in my 60s) and understand how difficult, yet freeing, this can be. I understand and incorporate helpful strategies and techniques to manage the difficulties that can arise with the neurodiverse Self, in particular Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) where emotions can become overwhelming and difficult to regulate. I do not see ADHD or neurodiverse conditions as disabilities, but rather as a difference in how the brain works which can oftentimes work to our advantage in terms of having increased empathy and being able to deal with chaotic situations.
I have lived experience of co-dependency and attachment issues which start in our childhood years and am very aware of the damage these can cause in later adult life. Self-awareness is key to being able to successfully address such issues.
I also have lived experience of substance dependency, recovery from addiction and how to maintain recovery. I have helped individuals suffering from non-opiates (i.e., cocaine and ketamine), prescription and over-the-counter and alcohol addictions.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are £55 per session for a 50-minute session and apply both online and in-person.
I offer a free 15-minute initial telephone call at which we can briefly discuss the main presenting issues and see if we feel there will be a good 'fit' between us
When I work
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Further information
I deal with and specialise in trauma and abuse (including generational, emotional and psychological trauma and physical, mental and sexual abuse); loss of all types (not restricted to bereavement); attachment issues and co-dependency; neurodiversity, particularly ADHD and OCD; drug and alcohol problems and, critically, recovery from such problems; intrusive thoughts; unhelpful coping mechanisms; negative and critical inner voice; anxiety and depression; inner child work; and self-image, self-esteem and self-worth. I also deal with relationship issues and suicidal ideations.
As a result of my lived experience of addiction, my ongoing recovery from substance dependency, and my day job in the drug and alcohol sector as a recovery support keyworker, I am best placed to provide a compassionate, empathic and deep understanding of the problems, thoughts, emotions and feelings that come hand in hand with this complex and often misunderstood illness, both from the viewpoint of the dependent drinker or user and their families and friends who are always and without doubt seriously impacted by this problem.
I also have a late diagnosis of ADHD which again gives me a deep insight into the neurodiverse world and brain and how this can be a challenging way to get by in a predominantly neurotypical world.
My way of working is very authentic (I have been described as 'enlightened, self-aware and open'), conversational and warm, yet challenging when needed. I feel most alive in the counselling room and get deep satisfaction from helping people.
