About me
As someone that has personal experience of being a client in therapy and struggling to confront issues in my life, I understand the challenge to take the first step towards change. With this in mind, I aim to consider how best to support you through this process of change or acceptance and face the challenges with you.
I work integratively across Somatic Experiencing (SE) and existential psychotherapy, drawing on training in body-based trauma work alongside an existential understanding of how we make meaning from suffering, loss and life's harder realities. SE work can help with anxiety, trauma-related dysregulation, and stress responses by working with how activation and hyperarousal are held in the body, rather than only at the level of thought.
Much of my clinical background is in sexual health and trauma: with several years working in NHS sexual health services with sexual wellbeing, sexual abuse, sexuality and identity as well as sex after trauma. I have worked in NHS primary care and with the LGBTQI community. Somatic Experiencing informs how I work with clients whose difficulties are held in the body as much as in thought often the case with trauma and sexual health presentations specifically.
If you're not sure whether this combination fits what you're bringing, the most useful thing is to get in touch and we can talk it through. I am happy to provide a tailored therapeutic approach to your needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am accredited with the BACP and a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society (GMBPsS), currently in year 2 of a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.
Core specialisms:
Somatic Experiencing (EASE) body-based trauma treatment
Existential Psychotherapy (Postgraduate Advanced Diploma, Regent's College London)
Several years' clinical experience in NHS sexual health services (including Sandyford Clinic, Gay Men's Health, Manchester SARC), working with sexual dysfunction, sexual abuse, sexuality, identity and sex after trauma.
Additional clinical background:
Primary care counselling across a broad range of presenting difficulties; EAP work supporting employees through crisis (PAM Assist, Rowan Consultancy) and voluntary work with LGBTQI clients and young adults.
Further training:
Counselling for Depression, Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, DBT, ACT, Individual & Group Supervision.
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I have a particular interest and actively work with these human difficulties:
- Death anxiety
- Meaninglessness
- Responsibility
- Isolation
- Freedom of choice
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I provide a free 15 minute telephone consultation which gives you an opportunity to discuss your difficulties and needs. You will also get an idea about me as a person and a practitioner which help us to figure out if I am someone you feel comfortable with in therapy. If it seems like we need a longer time to go through this I may suggest a full 50 minute appointment to assess your needs appropriately.
My typical rate is £80 per session. I offer some concession rates for students or low-income individuals which can be discussed and agreed upon together where required.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
There are many types of therapy out there that all follow different theories. Yet beyond all of this the most important aspect of whether or not therapy is effective is the relationship you build with the therapist. It has been widely accepted and researched that the therapeutic relationship is paramount in facilitating change. So I encourage you to consider this aspect above qualifications or the cost of therapy.
Take time to reflect on how well you get on with the therapist, how comfortable you feel with them, after all this is someone that you will be sharing your deepest thoughts/feelings with and paying them for the privilege.
