About me
I treat my clients as individuals, and do not adopt a "one size fits all approach". Because all clients will have different values, attitudes and beliefs, I consider how we can utilise their strengths and personal qualities in therapy.
To give you a sense of what you might be able to expect when working with me, here's some recent client feedback:
“I have really appreciated having you as my counsellor. I can't describe how valuable it has been to have someone who understands transness and neurodiversity not only in a clinical capacity but experientially and with the ability to offer genuine insights. It has always been very difficult to navigate these things in counselling or therapy as I find people often attribute everything to them and I end up have to really compartmentalise my experience of the world to be able to talk about things.
You have been absolutely exceptional in allowing me to talk through my experiences in a way that takes into account all of me at once and recognises the way all these parts interact. There is no confronting [family issues] without transness and ADHD, and vice versa, but you are the first counsellor I have had who has been able to work with me in this way...
….I just wanted to say: thank you, you are fantastic, and it has been an absolute gift to have you as my counsellor here”.
Some of the themes that often enter my counselling room, which may resonate if you're considering therapy.
Lost your confidence, hope or trust? A past you should have had, or a lost future you planned for,? Have your hopes or dreams about something been shattered? Loss enters my counselling room a lot , often unrecognised and ambiguous.
Loss is not always about death and bereavement, the experience can create multiple other losses too. I help clients understand their feelings, as well as naming and claiming any unrecognised losses, but any gains too. (Not all losses are bad, not all gains are good!)
Other areas I tend to work with, ( in addition to loss regarding death and bereavement) include:
- · ADHD
If you’re a client who has been diagnosed with ADHD, or you think you have it, then I may be the counsellor for you. I live with ADHD, although it took me half a life time to identify this, and it was never spotted by anyone else, including a number of counsellors.
- · HARMFUL BEHAVIOURS
I believe that in society there are many "respectable" forms of self-harm - folk who consume the planets resources regardless of the consequences, workaholics, consumerism, maintaining toxic relationships etc. Curiously many "respectable" self harmers overlook what they are doing preferring to stigmatise folk for drugs and alcohol use!
I sit on the side or harm reduction, rather than immediate abstinence, but I am happy to help anyone contemplating changes in this area.
- · GENDER & SEXUALITY.
Since 2016, I have volunteered in a South Essex based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) peer support group. This experience helped me to understand the unconscious bias and discrimination that LGBT people face. Clients who want to talk about issues that arise from their sexuality or gender identity, will find that my practice is an LGBTQI+ inclusive and affirming environment.
- · VULNERABLE and/or STIGMATISED COMMUNITIES
Homeless/Vulnerable communities -I have spent much time volunteering to support the homeless, vulnerable, and/or people with low income . I know that accessing counselling in these circumstances can be difficult. I will adapt counselling provision to suit lives that do not fit what society expects.
- · DEMENTIA/LIFE CHANGING CONDITIONS
Dementia/End of Life care - I have extensive knowledge of the lived experience of LGBTQI+ people living with dementia, as well as end of life care. Carer or cared for, I can offer a deeper understanding of the issues that are faced in this area.
AIM counselling is a Dementia Friendly organisation. I have been accredited by Basildon Dementia Action Alliance through collaboration with Alzheimer's Society. I follow their ethos of being "United Against Dementia", and seek to enhance the lives of those who care , or are cared for.
- · CLIENTS WITHIN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
I have a wealth of experiences working with clients who are Police staff, and also other clients on probation. I understand the nuances of working in the emergency services, the jargon, culture, paperwork, management, policies and processes.
I support clients who may have feelings such as shame or guilt, or feel stigmatised by society, I make no judgements on people who may have received convictions or been involved in crime. I have a deep understanding of the lived experience of Police Officers, those who work in the emergency services.
Personal philosophy as a counsellor:
My aim is to ensure that our therapeutic relationship is one that is a good fit for what you want from counselling. I do not have rigid rules and integrate a range of resources to underpin how we work therapeutically.
Inclusion is a core part of my practice. All ideas matter - my philosophical outlook on counselling and life is influenced by my lived experience. For example, I am interested in the philosophies that underpin Burning Man culture , such as immediacy, (living in the moment). I also believe that we are a part of nature and the environment, not apart from it, and recognise that nature can play a part in wellbeing.
I believe clients have the freedom to choose their own way in life and the therapy journey too.
Session locations
- Face to face,
- Online
- Telephone
- Ecotherapy (Eco-based counselling)
- Home visits
Thank you for reading my profile and look forward to working with you in your journey to better mental health.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BA (Hons) Counselling.
- NCFE Counselling Level 3.
- NCFE Counselling Level 2.
- Health & Safety at Work Level 1.
- Accredited Hate Crime Ambassador for Essex Police.
- Ecotherapy Warwick College Group
- Supervision - Seven eyed model
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. 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
- Gender Identity,/gender based issues
- Homelessness issues
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues
- Loss - (including unrecognised, disenfranchised and ambiguous)
Therapies offered
Fees
£30.00 - £75.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
- £55 per face to face session
- £75 for 90-minute online or telephone session.
- £45 for 50-minute online or telephone session.
- £30 (only for counselling students online).
When I work
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I try to be as flexible as possible when I work. I recognise that cleints lives shape when and where sessions take place. If you want to do one session a month, thats fine with me,
Further information
I have a particular interest in loss and bereavement issues. For example, ambiguous losses such as missing people, skills and abilities. Or losses those that may not always be socially supported, such as a bereavement in a gay relationship.
