About me
I'm a private counsellor and psychotherapist offering long and short term therapy to adults of all ages, from teenagers to people in their seventies and beyond. At the moment I only work face to face, not online, although this may change if the covid situation worsens during the winter.
I have more than twenty years' experience working as a therapist in many different settings, including health, education, the voluntary sector and private practice. Nowadays I work privately on a part-time basis and I see people from all walks of life and with a wide variety of difficulties. Many of the clients who come to me are suffering from problems with their mental health, such as anxiety, stress or depression. Others seek help with work, family or relationship issues, past experiences of trauma or abuse etc. I also work with people suffering long-standing and/or severe mental health conditions such as, ASD, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder or various types of psychosis.
I describe my style of therapy as 'integrative' meaning that I try to use psychological knowledge and counselling skills in a style that suits each individual client's particular personality and needs. I have training in both CBT and person-centred approaches.
Earlier in my life I was a research psychologist working in the field of mental health and I have BSc and PhD degrees in psychology from the University of London. I find this background very useful in my counselling practice today.
I believe that therapy works best when there is genuine collaboration between therapist and client and, in my sessions, I strive to create the warm, friendly yet professional atmosphere where this collaboration can develop.
Where I work
I'm based near Derby, about two or three miles north east of the city centre.
More about me
Many years ago I did research with adults suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. As a teacher I worked, at different times, with students of all ages, from school pupils through to sixth form and college/university students, (often part-time while bringing up a family). I've recently been doing voluntary work with ex-offenders and acting as a visitor and befriender for people living in secure psychiatric accommodation.
Training, qualifications & experience
BSc in Psychology (Birkbeck, University of London, 1976)
PhD in Psychology (Birkbeck, University of London,1980)
Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling Practice (University of Derby, 2002)
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Manchester Centre for CBT) 2013
Specialist Certificate in Counselling Children and Adolescents (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance -AQA- 2001)
Member organisations

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
£50 per session.
Rates may be higher for couples or other groups.
When I work
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Generally I can offer appointments between 8.00am and 7.00pm on Wednesdays or Thursdays and until 4.00pm on Fridays. Other times are occasionally available, though, so please ask.