About me
I help people whose lives and relationships have been changed by facing any type of loss or bereavement and who don’t know which way to turn, or are perhaps coping with a difficult situation such as a chronic or terminal illness where you don’t have enough spoons to cope with everything that needs to be done. If you're pouring from an empty cup and wonder if you'll ever feel like you again, counselling will give the care, time and attention you really deserve.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve or face loss. Everyone's grief is different. How you feel on a day to day basis, or even an hour to hour basis can be unpredictable and what you need may frequently change. You may feel exceptionally tired as grief is exhausting.
The time when you stop feeling shocked and numb may coincide with the time that family and friends start to back off. There is no timetable for grief.
Are you on an emotional rollercoaster? One minute feeling ok, the next overwhelmed by huge feelings. Grief is not something that can be 'fixed'. In counselling with me, you can find a way to cope and accept your feelings.
When we are struggling people often offer us well meaning platitudes such as 'Be Strong', or 'Time is a Healer', often giving us the message that we shouldn't be upset at a time when our heart and mind feel like they may be breaking. This may affect us in ways that cause us to close down when we are really feeling the need to talk about our situation to someone who will listen and understand.
Perhaps you are feeling sad, depressed and isolated even when you are surrounded by people? Full of an emptiness that never goes away? Can't understand why the world is still going on despite the huge loss you are being dealing with? Perhaps you are having panic attacks or are feeling overwhelmed. We all need help sometimes to deal with what life throws at us. Counselling can bring the greatest sense of relief, lessen feelings of shame and guilt, and can help to bring a new perspective on how to cope and how to learn to carry what is bothering us. It can help us to feel lighter in ways we may not have imagined were possible, find feelings of self-worth and a sense of peace.
In Counselling with me I will not tell you what to do, I will walk alongside you, exploring whatever it is you feel comfortable sharing. Often talking about things that are difficult in counselling can bring you the greatest sense of relief. If you struggle to find the words, there are many creative ways to express your thoughts and feelings, from drawing and sand trays to working with images.
I understand that asking for help can be difficult; you have already taken a courageous step by looking for a Counsellor who seems like a good fit for you.
I have over twenty five years experience of working with people with a terminal illness and also working with people who have been bereaved, having worked In Hospitals, Hospices and with Cruse Bereavement Care.. I have worked with people who are often on the fringes of society and also with Adults with Learning Difficulties.
Sessions last for 50 minutes and are usually held on a weekly basis but can fortnightly by arrangement. I work both short term and long term which can be discussed along the way. I have a comfortable room at The Hardway in Gosport, and also in Emsworth, between Portsmouth and Chichester, both with a nearby Pay and Display Car Park. Please phone or e-mail for a free 10 minute phone call, or to make an appointment. My fee is £50 per session.
I offer Counselling face to face, On-Line and by Telephone.
Training, qualifications & experience
- PESI IFS Anxiety and Depression - 2022
- Julia Samuel's Pilllars of Strength - Good Grief Festival 2021
- Counselling Tutor = On-Line Counselling - 2020
- Using Mindfulness with Clients - 2017
- BA (Hons) Humanistic Counselling (1st Class), (2014).
- Registered Member of British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Diploma in Humanistic Counselling - University of Chichester 2012
- Certificate in Counselling NCFE City & Guilds, Highbury College - 1998
- Certificate in Basic Counselling Skills NCFE City & Guilds South Downs College - 1997
- Cruse Bereavement Care Training - Chichester & Arun Cruse - 1996
- Caring for Older People - Open University - 1987
- Creative Therapy - Painting from the heart and Sand tray Therapy 2014
- Dementia Friends Champion Training - 2014
- Safeguarding Adults Awareness Course - 2014
- IDT Effective Supervision Course - 2010
- Supervision Training Course - 2005
- Helping Skills in Bereavement Course - 2004
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.
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.
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
Anxiety
Sadness
Depression
Panic Attacks
Terminal Illness / Palliative Care
Carers
Bereavement, Loss of all kinds
Therapies offered
Fees
£40.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£40 per 50 minute session
For Group Counselling, fees can be agreed.
When I work
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Availability is flexible. I have availability five days a week, including evenings and weekends. please contact me for further information on availability.
