About me
🌿Hello and a warm welcome
I’m an experienced Counselling Psychologist. I qualified in 2011 and have been in full-time practice since then. I work with children, adolescents and adults from a clinic in central Faversham and in London, SW4. With adults, I also work online.
My approach is pragmatic, transparent and person-centred: I understand that what people seek from therapy can vary significantly. I meet you where you are. Accordingly, therapeutic approaches I offer are also diverse, including standard evidence-based therapies as well as more embodied and relational approaches, including Somatic Psychology, SensoriMotor Therapy and Mentalisation-Based Therapy.
Having worked across NHS Services, I have experience of working with both mild, moderate and severe mental health difficulties. When we meet, my initial aim is to:
1) Understand the difficulties you experience and their impact on you and areas of your life such as relationships and work
2) Identify patterns (emotional, behavioural, cognitive, somatic) that might play a role in maintaining some of your difficulties
3) With that knowledge we jointly consider what you wish to change about yourself with my help. We work openly discuss what is possible considering time-frame for therapy and what else is going on in your life, prioritising what you need most. This therapy plan helps guide our work together.
My approach is active and reflective — I don’t just listen and empathise, I actively build my understanding of how you make sense of things, what situations are difficult for you, how your nervous systems manages emotions, pressure and uncertainty
I check my understanding with you to make sure you feel not only fully understood, but also that this understanding feels helpful to you. This can help you calm your nervous system, gain more sense of perspective, clarify intention and choice,
Because feelings are often experienced and "held" in the body, I work not just cognitively/emotionally but also somatically. I may invite you to notice how your body responds in the session to what is discussed. Developing this awareness helps us track our nervous system activation, to "regulate" it in the session.
In this way our nervous system can "learn" that what was once a big threat to our sense of self and our physical/psychological well-being may not be so catastrophic now we are adults and have more resources at our disposal, including an adult understanding of our rights and ability to self-determine. Once the system "learns" that, it can become less reactive and help us feel more steady in the world.
This increases not only your trust in therapy but self-trust in your own capacity to make sense of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours — including those that felt repetitive or were out of control — and to relate to them with curiosity rather than fear.
This approach maybe helpful if you:
- have tried therapy before but found it either too structured or lacking a clear focus
- want depth without pressure
- are interested in understanding yourself better
- are seeking sustainable change in addition to quick strategies
- might want to eventually bridge individual therapy work with a follow-on work in small groups. This approach is both cost-effective and can turbo-charge individual therapy.
If you wish to explore further, you are welcome to get in touch. I offer a free 20-minute video Intro Session — a space to ask questions and get a sense of what working together could feel like before deciding whether to commit to the next step (60 min Initial Consultation).
Couples and Family work using Mentalisation-Based Approach
This is a short-term, supportive, collaborative approach that helps couples and/or families feel more understood and less stuck in painful patterns, particularly where there is:
- Ongoing or repetitive conflict and “stuck” arguments
- High emotional reactivity or shutdown
- Parenting stress impacting the couple/family relationship
- Neurodiversity, where intentions are easily misread or other individual needs that impact family dynamic
- Need for members to adjust after a life change
This way of working offers a safe space to slow things down, reduce conflict, and make sense of strong emotions together. Rather than blaming anyone or focusing on “what’s wrong,” it offers a safe space where everyone's voice can be heard and acknowledged and people are supported to think and express what might be going on beneath difficult reactions. Couples and families can learn to communicate more calmly, and rebuild emotional safety and trust. This can lead to calmer communication, improved emotional regulation, and stronger relationships.
Mentalisation approach can supports couples, parents, children and young people within the context of their family relationships. It is a flexible approach, family members can be seen together or in smaller groups/individually, depending on the needs. The approach combines well with individual work, if such is indicated.
Working with Children: what to expect
Many parents who contact me are concerned about their child’s sensory sensitivities, mood, focus, or social interactions. By observing how a child engages with the materials, I can identify which developmental stages may need further support and tailor activities to strengthen those areas.
When working with children, I use a play-based sensorimotor approach called Clayfield Therapy. A wooden box filled with clay, figurines, warm water, and simple tools invites the child to explore freely. For those who find clay challenging at first, alternatives such as kinetic sand, finger paints, or warm water can be introduced until the child feels comfortable.
Like play therapy, this approach allows children to express feelings and experiences symbolically, helping them process difficulties in a safe, imaginative way. What makes Clayfield Therapy unique is its grounding in sensorimotor theory, which recognises that sensory and motor development form the foundation for the child's emotional and cognitive growth.
Children usually experience these sessions as enjoyable and empowering — they gain confidence, a sense of mastery, and improved emotional regulation. Most make good progress over 10–20 sessions.
Parents/carers are invited to remain in the therapy room, sitting in near proximity but not involved in the child's work. I also offer parent/carer consultation sessions. These provide space to share any concerns and observations, ask questions, and help us better understand your child’s needs and development.
🌱 If you are worried about your child's emotions, behaviour, focus or social confidence and are interested in discussing if clay-based therapy could work for you child, please get in contact. I offer a free 20-minute video Intro Session — a space to tell me about your child and together consider what might best support them.
Supporting Adolescents
I work with young people to provide understanding, emotional safety, and creative ways to explore their thoughts and feelings, helping them develop the tools they need to navigate their world with confidence.
Adolescence is a time of growth, creativity and self discovery but can also feel turbulent and uncertain. Teenagers experience emotions intensely as their brains develop, especially in areas responsible for planning, impulse control and emotional regulation. This can sometimes make emotions feel overwhelming or confusing. Friendships, identity, and autonomy become central, and the pressures of school, social media, and the modern world can add extra stress.
Therapeutic Approaches with Adolescents
Clayfield Therapy
Adolescents often enjoy Clayfield Therapy, a movement-based, sensori-motor approach where young people work with clay, water and other materials to express feelings and process experiences.
This tactile, hands-on method helps teens explore emotions safely, even when words are hard to find. Working in this way offers teens:
- Emotional Safety: a calm non-judgmental and non-pressured space
- Emphasis on Choice and Freedom on how to engage: to talk—or not — engage creatively or through other means
- Self-directed: open space to express and process thoughts and feelings, gaining self-understanding that supports agency and autonomy
- Encouragement to try new things and also to reflect on values, choices and impacts to promote independence and considered decision making
- Support with emotional expression and regulation
Cognitive-behavioural therapy
This often involves psycho-education to understand links between thoughts, behaviours and emotions, gain mastery in challenging situations, learn interpersonal skills to improve relationships.
Other creative modalities
Apart from clay, other creative modalities can be used, depending on a young person’s interests: in the past we have worked through exploring psychological themes via “walk and talk”, junk journaling, poetry writing, astrological symbolism, symbolic representation of situations and other ways as agreed
EMDR and trauma work can also be used, if clinically indicated and accepted by the young person
🌟If you or your teen are looking for a therapy that can help build confidence, manage emotions, improve relationships and develop independence you are welcome to contact me for an initial chat to see if this way of working could be helpful. I offer a free 20-minute video intro session — a space to ask questions and get a sense of what working together could feel like before deciding whether to commit to a 60 min Initial Consultation.
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional Registrations
- Chartered Counselling Psychologist with the British Psychological Society
- Practitioner Psychologist with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Reg no: PYL27878
- EMDR Association UK Member (Membership No S0752)
I am registered with Information Commissioner Office, hold a DBS certificate dated October 2021 and have a full professional indemnity insurance.
Core Trainings
MSc Counselling Psychology (Roehampton University, 2010), Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Counselling Psychology (Roehampton University, 2011), Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology (Roehampton University, 2007), Conversion Diploma in Psychology (Open University, 2000), BSc Psychology and Business Studies (London Guildhall University, 1998).
Other trainings
Certificate in Counselling Skills (Westminster Pastoral Foundation, 1998), Diploma in the Application of Psychodynamic Theory (Westminster Pastoral Foundation, 2000); Foundation Certificate in Biodynamic Massage (Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre, 2003), Mentalisation Based Treatment for Adults (Anna Freud Institute, 2016); Reflective Parenting: Increasing Mentalising in the parent-child relationship (Anna Freud Institute, 2016,); Multi-family mentalisation based group training (Anna Freud Institute, 2016); Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors Training (Canterbury Christ Church University, 2017); Environmental Arts Therapy (London Arts Therapy Centre, 2018-2019) and with Ian Siddons Hegginsworth 2019-2020), EMDR Therapy (EMDR Academy, Parts 1-3), Safe and Sound Protocol (2020), Mentalisation Based Treatment for Children (Anna Freud Institute, 2022), Certificate in Clayfield Therapy for Adults (August 2024), Certificate in Clayfield Therapy for Children (February 2025). Lighthouse Mentalisation Based Therapy Parenting Programme (Anna Freud Centre, December 2025), Mentalisation-based Treatment for Families (Anna Freud Centre, Jan 2026).
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.
British Psychological Society
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£90.00 - £120.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Initial 20-minute Zoom Consultation - FREE - Simple and easy to book. We meet over Zoom to chat and see if working together could be a possibility.
Introductory 60- minute Consultation - £70 - An opportunity to understand your needs and help us decide if the approach I offer is suitable for you.
Psychological Therapy £90 (off peak), £120 (from 4pm)
In addition to individual work I offer work in small groups. This makes longer-term psychological work financially more accessible. Please book a free Initial Intro Chat if you are interested to explore this option.
Clayfield Therapy: £120 (off peak), £140 (from 4pm)
Insurance companies: I am registered with BUPA, AXA, CIGNA, WPA.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
In the course of my own life, I experienced many of the challenges, losses and set-backs as well as joys and accomplishments that are experienced by people who come to me for help. I have also received my own in-depth therapy over several years so I am able to appreciate how it feels to be a client and what is needed for a successful change.
Through both my personal life and professional practice, I learned that the sooner help is received, the better. Modern life can be complex and stressful, demanding an individual to have good psychological adaptation. If that adaptation is fragile, a person may lose their “inner compass” and respond by withdrawing from life’s demands or from their own inner life or by overcompensating, ie responding too aggressively to the perceived threat. This often leads to making decisions that are not conducive to their well-being or achievement of life’s developmental tasks. The longer this continues, the less options may be available.
However, I also discovered that it is never too late to improve something in your life that you really want to change, to learn new skills, treat yourself with compassion, to connect to yourself and to others and to find meaning and valued directions. In other words, it is never too late to start doing what you can with what you have, wherever you are right now.
