About me
I offer a warm and compassionate partnership in finding a way through the thoughts and feelings you want to make sense of.
I have supported people suffering anxiety, loss and bereavement, and helped others find their way beyond the dark feelings and low self-confidence caused by abuse, betrayals, family issues, trauma and other life experiences. We can go gently or perhaps more practically, either way working toward a greater peace of mind for yourself, higher self-esteem and a renewed optimism for life.
Clients have told me they valued the therapy for the comfort and support of another human being listening and caring, and because it changed how they saw their problems, changed their thinking, or got them finding new ways to help themselves. Everyone brings something different to therapy, and everyone leaves with something special to them - perhaps more helpful ways to communicate in a difficult relationship, a changed behaviour habit, a stronger sense of confidence, or freedom from the internal oppression caused by toxic relationships and unhelpful patterns of thought. Please scroll down to see a list of issues I have helped people with but there is no generic response to these things - the journey is different for each person.
What happens
Initially, if you would like to have a free-of-charge brief conversation with me, by phone or video call, you’re welcome to contact me on the 'email me' button to set it up. No obligation follows and it’s a good opportunity to get your questions out there while you’re still deciding whether or not to go ahead.
Should you wish to book in, then before the first session, I will email you the Ts and Cs that frame the work.
In the first session, we are both looking to be sure that you are with the right person and are in the right place. To that end, we work together to clarify how we would work together and toward what outcomes. I will also go through a short lifestyle questionnaire with you because I believe we should never underestimate the power of lifestyle to affect our mood and feelings.
Some people work toward a set number of sessions, in a very focused way, others prefer to work open-endedly. Whatever the plan at the start, there is no obligation to fulfil a set number of sessions. We review how we’re doing as we go along and it’s ok to change the plan along the way as well.
Sessions last for 50 minutes i.e. we make a comfortable ending somewhere between 50 minutes and an hour.
We can meet weekly or fortnightly.
Towards the end of the work, people sometimes like to slow down to meeting once a month. Another way of ending is to book in a follow-up appointment some time after the work has ended. We talk about this in the final sessions.
Background info
It is always important to have a good match between client and therapist. Perhaps the info below will give you a clearer picture of who I am and what influences the way I work, but do feel free to ask me anything.
I’ve been listening to people’s feelings and encouraging them to take control of their lives since I volunteered for The Samaritans in 1989. I have been a Bereavement Supporter at Cruse Bereavement Care, as well as a trainer and supervisor. Since 2014, I have been working in private practice, and I am currently completing further training at the Maudsley in Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
As a daughter of mixed parentage (Irish and English) I am familiar with that particular blend of cultures, and the experience of being Irish in London.
My adult life began as a student of art and design, and I continue to be a creative person in a non-commercial way: I write, I sing, I work visually. I believe creative expression is essential to wellbeing and self-awareness, and I encourage all my clients to find space for this in their lives and, if they wish, in their therapy too.
I have a secondary role as a funeral celebrant and have worked with many grieving families, from many different backgrounds, to create a warm and personal funeral ceremony either secular or spiritual.
And finally...
Thank you for visiting my profile. I realise that reaching out for counselling can be a big step with a lot of uncertainty around it. Sometimes a little chat on the phone is all that’s needed anyway. I quite understand if you shop around before taking the next step, the match between therapist and client is important. If you have any questions, please contact me any time. 07 857 284 244 or just click on the contact box above.
Training, qualifications & experience
BSc (hons) Psychology 1998
Graduate member of British Psychological Society 1999
Cruse Bereavement Care certificates in bereavement support, supervision and groups 2010+
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, Goldsmiths 2012
BACP registered counsellor 2014
Mental Health First Aid Certificate 2012
Core training:
Originally, I trained as a psychodynamic therapist and as a person-centred bereavement counsellor. I am currently working in a community mental health setting for NHS South London and Maudsley toward completion of training as a Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner. These 3 kinds of therapy currently form the foundation of my approach. They emphasise personal storying, recognizing the processes around emotions and relationships, and identifying and reformulating unhelpful patterns of thoughts and beliefs.
Working integratively:
Where relevant, I also draw on other therapies which I have learned about in my further training eg Jungian psychology, hypnotherapy, ACT, CBT, mindfulness and IFS (clicking on the sidelink for types of therapy will give you the necessary descriptions). These techniques can be integrated into the way I work with you.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
The above list represents the issues that I have worked with the most, over the years.
The below list represents my core trainings. See above for more detail about the range of other therapies which I integrate into the work.
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees are due from the first session, but an initial call beforehand (15 minutes) is free of charge.
I will gladly negotiate a reduced fee for those on low income. Another way of spreading the costs is to meet fortnightly.
When I work
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Further information
I work at Mycenae House, a community centre in Westcombe Park. There is a café downstairs where you can take the weight off your feet before our session begins. Mycenae House is a busy place, so you can feel comfortably anonymous there. The therapy rooms are cozy and some have beautiful trees and gardens outside the window which many of my clients have found uplifting and comforting during a session. Sometimes there is even the sound of a choir in the background!
