About me
Hello, I'm Diane.
I’m a qualified counsellor and tutor, and I believe that being truly heard can be a powerful experience in itself. So much of what we carry can feel difficult to explain, and sometimes we can become so used to coping that we lose sight of what we actually need.
I offer a warm, honest and non-judgemental space where you can come exactly as you are. You don't need to have the right words, know what's wrong, or have a clear idea of what you want from counselling. We can start wherever you are.
I work with people experiencing a range of difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, trauma, life changes and experiences of addiction. I also have experience working with young people and supporting people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected from themselves.
I have a particular interest in the impact of relationships and our early experiences on the way we understand ourselves and relate to other people. Sometimes we find ourselves repeating patterns that we don't fully understand, feeling drawn to relationships that leave us questioning ourselves, or struggling to feel safe, secure or worthy of being cared for. Counselling can give us the space to explore where these patterns come from and, importantly, to begin to make different choices.
My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. I don't believe there is one therapeutic approach that fits everyone, so I work with you as an individual rather than trying to fit you into a particular model. I see the therapeutic relationship as incredibly important. I want you to feel that you can be yourself with me, without fear of judgement or having to perform, please or pretend that you're okay.
I also believe that therapy isn't about endlessly analysing everything that has ever happened to you. Sometimes it's about understanding your past, but it's also about helping you feel more grounded in the present and more able to move towards the life and relationships you want.
Perhaps you've reached a point where you feel exhausted from holding everything together. Perhaps something has happened that has changed how you see yourself or your life. Maybe you're struggling with a relationship, feeling lost after a loss or life change, or simply have a sense that things aren't quite right but can't put your finger on why.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to make sense of it all before you reach out.
My aim is to offer a space where you can slow down, make sense of what you're experiencing and, over time, develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with yourself.
If you think I might be the right counsellor for you, I would be very happy to hear from you. We can have a conversation about what you're looking for and whether I might be able to support you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified Level 4 counsellor and hold a Diploma in Tutoring. I am also a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and committed to ongoing professional development.
My additional training includes Level 5 training in Trauma-Informed Practice, Couples Counselling and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. These areas have strengthened my understanding of how trauma, attachment, relationships and patterns of behaviour can affect the way we experience ourselves and those around us.
My counselling practice is integrative and trauma-informed. I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on the individual I am working with, rather than believing that one approach fits everyone.
I have experience working with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and significant life changes. I have worked within drug and alcohol services, supporting people affected by substance use and addiction, and have delivered awareness and educational work around addiction and mental health.
I also have experience working therapeutically with young people and supporting their emotional wellbeing. Alongside my counselling work, I work as a tutor, supporting counselling students in their professional development and helping them to develop their understanding of counselling theory and practice.
My experience has given me a particular interest in the therapeutic relationship and in understanding the person behind the difficulties they are experiencing. I believe that effective counselling is about more than simply applying techniques. It is about creating a relationship where someone feels safe enough to be honest, understood enough to feel less alone, and supported enough to begin making meaningful changes.
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.
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
£45.00 - £55.00
Additional information
I offer online and in person counselling.
Sessions are 50 minutes long.
To book a free telephone call to discuss if I'm the right fit for you, please email me here.
