About me
Life can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious or struggling with difficult experiences. I provide a warm, calm and confidential space for Adults and Young People (from 11 years +) where you can safely talk, reflect and find a way forward.
Having experienced how counselling helped me with the bumps in my own life, I decided to train as a psychotherapist in 2018. It has been an ongoing journey of discovery.
I hold a Post Graduate Certificate and Advanced Diploma (Masters Level 7) from the well respected London based Institute of Therapy in Arts and Education (IATE). I also hold a level 5 diploma in Counselling adolescents and level 4 diploma in therapeutic counselling.
How I Can Support You
I am an experienced Counselling Psychotherapist supporting adults and young people through a wide range of emotional challenges, life experiences and personal difficulties these include:
- Anxiety, depression and low mood
- Feeling overwhelmed, stressed or emotionally exhausted
- Low confidence or self-esteem
- Relationship or family difficulties
- Trauma and difficult life experiences
- Loss, grief and bereavement
- Loneliness and isolation
- Identity and sense of self
- Major life changes and transitions
I have a particular interest in supporting individuals and families affected by controlling relationships and parental alienation. I help clients explore how these experiences can impact self-esteem, identity, decision-making, relationships and emotional wellbeing.
I also have an interest in neurodiversity. I recognise that strengths are often overlooked when someone is struggling, and I aim to provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space where clients can better understand themselves and build on the strengths they already have.
This list is not exhaustive. You may simply know that something does not feel right or that life has become difficult to manage.
Practice description
My Approach for All
Starting therapy can feel daunting and it may have taken you a long time to reach this point. I will do my best to help you feel at ease from the beginning.
I believe every person is unique, so I tailor therapy to you rather than following a single approach.
Underpinning all my work is a trauma-informed perspective, helping you explore difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable. When words are hard to find, I may suggest a creative approach which can offer another way to express and understand your experiences.
A question that guides my work is, ‘What happened to you?’ rather than ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Many ways of coping develop for good reasons, and understanding that often opens the door to greater self-compassion and change.
More than any particular technique, I believe building an honest and trusting relationship creates the best chance for you to grow and heal. By working together and committing to the process, meaningful and lasting change will happen.
In addition for Young People (11 years+)
Young people do need a slightly different approach and that is why I have specialist training.
I currently work in a secondary school so I am well aware of the many challenges my younger clients are presented with every day. Friendships, school, family life, social media and growing independence can all affect emotional wellbeing showing up as anxiety, low mood, anger, withdrawal, loss of confidence or other changes in behaviour.
I also recognise how challenging this time can be for parents/ guardians. Where appropriate, I'll work collaboratively with you while respecting your young person's need for a confidential space.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and Professional Memberships
- Postgraduate Certificate and Advanced Diploma in Counselling Using the Arts (Masters Level 7, University of East London; Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education)
- Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Adolescents (CPCAB)
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management (Portsmouth University)
- BA (Hons) Applied Social Science – major in Psychology (Kingston University)
I am also a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adhering to their ethical framework and professional standards.
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
Additional information
Contact me to discuss fees. Concessions available
Further information
My first session
Discuss Your Specific Needs
Free Introductory Call
I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation to discuss what brings you to therapy and answer any questions.
Your First Steps
If we decide to work together, I usually suggest beginning with six sessions. Each session is 50 minutes long. We will explore your goals, review progress together and decide what feels most helpful.
Therapy should work for you, so we'll regularly check that it's meeting your needs.
Where Will Your Sessions Take Place?
Working exclusively ONLINE for your convenience and flexibility.
Although based in the South East I work with clients across Surrey, West Sussex, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire and beyond.
Online sessions allows us to work together wherever you are in the UK, without the need to travel.
