About me
Empowering Therapy for Adults in Carlton, Nottingham
Humanistic, trauma-informed counselling for adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD/Autism-related difficulties, relationship problems, low self-esteem and times of crisis.
Life can throw us a curve ball. Something painful, frightening, unexpected or devastating can leave us struggling to cope. The strategies that once helped us manage may stop working, or may become destructive, overwhelming or difficult to control.
You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, panic, anger, shame, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loneliness or simply a feeling that something isn't right. You may feel stuck, exhausted or as though life has become unmanageable.
You don't have to work through this alone.
How I can help
I offer warm, compassionate and non-judgemental counselling for adults aged 18 and over. I work with you as an individual because I don't believe that one approach, or one type of therapy, works for everyone.
My specialist areas include:
Trauma and abuse – including childhood trauma, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, domestic abuse, controlling relationships and witnessing traumatic events. Along with the impacts of trauma, PTSD, OCD, DID, EUPD, hearing voices etc.
Anxiety and depression – including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, phobias, stress, postnatal depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
ADHD/Autism and other neurodivergence in adulthood – including the emotional impact of a later ADHD/ Autism diagnosis, shame, anxiety, self-acceptance, masking and finding practical strategies that work with the way your brain works.
Relationships and life changes – including divorce and separation, affairs and betrayal, family difficulties, bereavement , abortion and relationship patterns.
Self-esteem and confidence – including feelings of inadequacy, shame, imposter syndrome, self-criticism and difficulties at work or studying.
Emotional difficulties and crisis – including anger, feeling overwhelmed, feeling out of control, suicidal thoughts and other periods when life feels particularly difficult.
Addiction and problematic coping strategies.
Gender dysphoria and difficulties around identity and self-acceptance.
I also work with the effects trauma can have on relationships, emotional regulation, self-image and mental health.
Trauma-informed counselling
Trauma can affect far more than the original event. It can influence how we see ourselves, how safe we feel, how we respond emotionally and how we relate to other people.
I work with people who have experienced many different forms of trauma, including abuse, domestic violence, controlling relationships, childhood experiences and witnessing traumatic events.
Together, we can explore what has happened to you, how it continues to affect you and what you need to feel safer, more empowered and more in control of your life.
We don't have to explore everything at once. Your therapy is your process, and we work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression can affect every part of life. You may experience persistent worry, panic, low mood, loss of motivation, intrusive thoughts, fear, irritability or a sense that you simply can't keep going as you have been.
I can help you identify triggers, develop healthier coping strategies and explore the underlying experiences and patterns that may be contributing to how you feel.
My work can include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) alongside my humanistic and relational approach, depending on what is appropriate for you.
ADHD, neurodivergence and adult diagnosis
I have personal experience of receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in adulthood, and I understand some of the emotions that can accompany discovering that your brain works differently.
For some people, a neuro-divergent (ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc) diagnosis can bring relief and understanding, but it can also bring grief, shame, anxiety or questions about years spent trying to fit expectations that didn't work for them.
My approach is not about trying to make you become someone you're not. We can explore practical strategies for managing neuro-divergent difficulties while also working towards greater self-understanding, self-acceptance and confidence.
Where relevant, I use ACT and CBT-informed strategies to explore anxiety, shame, emotional regulation, masking and the impact of neurodivergence on everyday life and relationships.
A humanistic and relational approach
As a humanistic therapist, I believe that you are the expert on your own life. I believe that people can change, make meaningful connections and develop new choices.
As a relational therapist I don't see myself as an expert sitting outside your experience. I see myself as a fellow traveller – someone who can walk alongside you while you explore what is happening and decide where you want to go next.
We can explore your life story, including childhood experiences and patterns that may still influence how you feel and behave today. We can look at your relationships; your experiences and the meanings you have made from them.
I have spent several years in therapy myself because I believe in the power of the therapeutic process. My own experience has given me a deep respect for how difficult, challenging and transformative therapy can be.
There is no judgement in our sessions. There will be honesty, openness, confidentiality and a genuine therapeutic relationship.
Therapy that allows you to be yourself
Our sessions are warm, empathetic and collaborative. You don't have to find the perfect words or explain everything in a particular way.
I sometimes use creativity, colour, music, literature, media and humour to help explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Through observation, gentle challenge and exploring meaning together, we can begin to identify new possibilities, growth and choices.
I am not a blank screen. I won't simply repeat your words back to you. Where it is therapeutically appropriate, I may share my own emotional response to something you have said. I believe this openness can help us understand how relationships work for you and what you may experience with other people outside therapy.
Short-term or longer-term counselling
The way we work together is something we agree on.
Sometimes you may want short-term counselling focused on one specific issue. At other times, you may want longer-term therapy to explore several areas of your life and understand deeper patterns.
There is no requirement to know exactly what you need before you begin.
If you are experiencing a crisis, we can initially focus on stabilising the situation and helping you develop ways of coping safely before moving into deeper exploration.
What happens when you contact me?
I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you would like to achieve and how you feel about starting therapy.
There is no pressure to book.
I will be honest with you about whether I believe I can help. If I don't feel that I am the right therapist for your needs, I will tell you and, where possible, help you consider what type of support may be more appropriate.
In our first session, we will discuss confidentiality, boundaries and how we will work together. We can then begin exploring what is happening for you at your own pace.
And if what you really need in that first session is simply to let everything out, that's okay too.
I provide face-to-face counselling for adults from a quiet, central location in Carlton/Gedling, Nottingham, close to public transport routes and approximately 15 minutes by car from Nottingham city centre.
I work with adults aged 18+ and, where appropriate, can work alongside other agencies involved in your support.
I am also fully trained and DBS checked as a safeguarding designate.
You don't have to wait until everything falls apart.You may not be in crisis. You may simply have a feeling that something isn't right.
Perhaps you feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted or disconnected. Perhaps something from your past keeps affecting your present. Perhaps your relationships are becoming difficult, your coping strategies aren't working anymore, or you are struggling to understand yourself.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to have everything figured out before you contact me.
If you think counselling could help, get in touch for a free 15-minute telephone consultation. We can start with a conversation and take it from there.
About me
I am a UKCP registered psychotherapeutic counsellor. I have worked for SHE.UK providing therapy survivors of sexual abuse. I have provided mental health and safeguarding support for young people at a local FE college and I have a private practice for 10 years in Carlton.
I started my counselling career with Childline and spent over 10 years as a Counsellor and Supervisor with them.
I provide counselling for insurance companies and EAPs.
I am a member of the Scarborough Psycho-therapeutic Training Institute; UKCP registered and have regular supervision to ensure I provide a non-oppressive ethically boundaried practice.
Training, qualifications & experience
UKCP registered Psycho-therapeutic Counsellor
Diploma in Counselling Children and Adolescents
Advanced Diploma in Relational (Integrative) Counselling
Diploma in Weight Loss & Nutritional Counselling
NLP Practitioner
Foundation Diploma in Person Centred Counselling
Diploma in CBT
10 years experience as a Counsellor and Supervisor for Childline
Experience working with young people in crisis and mental health issues in city centre FE college
Therapist for SHE.org working with male and female survivors of trauma along with sexual, emotional and physical abuse
Safeguarding and equality officer for a major sports club
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Menopause and other women's issues
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
When I work
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Further information
Counselling students of all modalities welcome
