About me
I specialise in difficulties that live in the body as much as in the mind - anxiety you can’t think your way out of, stress responses that persist long after the difficult thing has ended and the effects of trauma on intimacy, identity and how safe you feel in yourself.
Sometimes we might understand why we feel anxious, overwhelmed, stressed, yet that understanding doesn't change how we feel. I draw particularly on Somatic Experiencing and Existentialism as a way to pay close attention to not only thought and emotions but also what is happening in the body. For example when you feel tense, agitated, numb or feeling on edge somatic practice can facilitate the processing of these physical sensations.
Alongside this, therapy can be a place to explore wider questions about how you are living: relationships, identity, choice, uncertainty, loss, meaning and the direction you want your life to take. We don't have to follow a fixed method as the work can adapt to what is most useful for you.
Much of my clinical background of over 13 years, is in NHS sexual health services, where I spent several years working with sexual wellbeing, childhood sexual abuse, sexuality and identity and sex after trauma. I have also worked in NHS primary care, university services and with the LGBTQI community. I offer an affirmative space for clients of all sexualities and genders.
I know from my own experience of being a client that the first step is often the hardest. If you’re unsure whether this approach fits what you’re bringing, get in touch and we can talk it through.
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:
Person Centred Experiential Therapy (Postgraduate Diploma, Strathclyde University)
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.
Additional training:
Counselling for Depression, Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, 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
- Life Meaning
- Existential Isolation
- The burden of Freedom of choice
- Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Sexuality and sex after trauma
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.
Session fees
Cambridge Centre £80 per session
London Kings Cross £90 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
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Further information
My way of working is collaborative and conversational. I won't expect you to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about and therapy doesn't have to involve repeatedly going over difficult experiences in detail.
At times we might talk and reflect together; at others we may slow things down and notice what is happening physically or emotionally in the moment. I may ask questions, offer observations or gently challenge something when I think it could be useful. The aim isn't to fit you into a particular therapeutic model, but to find a way of working together that feels useful, tolerable and relevant to what you want from therapy.
If you're unsure whether my approach would suit you, you're welcome to get in touch and we can arrange an initial conversation.
