About me
One of the first steps towards addressing challenges such as anxiety, low self esteem and depression is finding a counsellor that you are comfortable working with. This task, I understand, can be very daunting. I am an experienced non-judgemental counsellor who works with adults and young people from age 12 upwards in a discreet environment in convenient locations in Epsom and Coulsdon - daytime or evenings, and also on video call/Zoom.
If you are currently at a time in your life where you are unhappy, feeling sad, facing issues and difficulties past and present, which you are finding overwhelming and distressing, counselling can help to identify repeated behaviour patterns which may be restricting you and preventing you from reaching your full potential.
My aim as a counsellor is to be part of this journey, by helping clients both adults and young people from age 12 upwards to find a way through their challenges. My approach is to be non- judgemental, professional, supportive, caring and empathetic in order to work with whatever you deem is important. This is done in a confidential space.
I provide a unique one to one counselling service to support non offending family and friends of people affected by internet offending and child sex abuse.
I offer afternoon and evening sessions either face to face or remotely to anywhere in the UK on Skype, Zoom meeting, telephone or WhatsApp video.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - By Lao-tzu
Training, qualifications & experience
Who am I?
Fully qualified with a BSc Degree in Integrative Counselling.
I currently work in private practice with adults and young people and also as a College Counsellor. I have good knowledge of child protection issues, internet offending, child sex abuse and survivor related struggles. In addition, I work with difficulties faced from clients working in certain professions, where expectations of them may be perceived as unrealistic and pressurising possibly causing Imposter Syndrome, perfectionism, additional stress, and performance anxiety.
I welcome people from all backgrounds and races. I have mixed African and English heritage and have experienced a multi cultured and international upbringing- something that has given me an awareness of some of the struggles people from other cultures and backgrounds may face.
From my current extensive work with a leading Child Protection Charity, I have good knowledge and experience of child protection issues, all types of child sex offending including internet offending. I provide a unique one to one counselling service to support non offending family and friends of people affected by internet offending and child sex abuse, including support for survivors of abuse. I understand the challenges faced by this often unspoken trauma.
Additionally experience includes, building general Assertiveness skills, assisting to develop a sense of identity, working with clients from the Teaching Profession, the Performing Arts, Adult and Child Social care and other professions where people feel under pressure to perform, safeguard, or to support/monitor and help children or service users whilst meeting certain targets and pressures.
As an Integrative Counsellor, I practice with a range of theoretical approaches including Psychodynamic, Existential and Person Centred according to your needs.
I have worked in private practice, the NHS (both hospitals and GP Surgeries), teenage counselling projects, charities and College counselling. This along with, a long standing background working in caring professions, has provided me with the experience of working with both adults and teenagers. I work to explore a range of presenting issues including working with suicidal feelings/suicide prevention, child abuse, loss, abuse, relationship/professional challenges, anxiety, depression, and the effects of the pandemic.
I am insured and a member of BACP and work in accordance with their Ethical framework.
I have undertaken additional training for the Protection and Safeguarding of children.
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
Additional experience and training in young people's counselling and counselling for friends and family of people affected by internet offending and all types of child sex abuse:
Young People:
I have a special interest in counselling young people.
Just like adults, as we know, young people have emotional needs as they are also affected by the challenges of life and therefore need the relevant support, to help them on their way and tackle issues which may be restricting their development.
In the current environment children and young people are under increasing pressure to perform and achieve to a very high standard. I have noticed that there are many young people, particularly in the performing arts, who struggle with perfectionism. I work extensively in this area. My goal is to help them to reach a more balanced and healthy way of being, so that they can achieve their potential and ultimately be happier.
I work with various resources and tools in order to assist the expression of their thoughts and feelings, but most of all I aim to work with empathy, respect and care.
Internet Offending/ Child Sex Abuse:
I provide empathetic non judgemental counselling for non offending family and friends of people affected by internet offending and all types of child sex abuse. I draw from many years of professional experience and knowledge in this area and appreciate the challenges involved.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 - £50.00
Additional information
How to arrange counselling:
If you would like to explore this further the first step is to book an initial appointment which will give you an opportunity to discuss the issues you would like to focus on, and ascertain if counselling would be appropriate for you.
Therapy is available on a short or long term basis. The sessions are typically arranged on a weekly basis at the same time and location.
Counselling fees:
Sessions last 50 minutes and are charged at £50 per adult and £45 for young people.
Payment is settled after each session.
When I work
I offer afternoon and evening sessions either face to face or remotely to anywhere in the UK on Skype, telephone counselling, Zoom meeting or WhatsApp video call.
Further information
I practise from therapy rooms in three areas: Coulsdon, Croydon/Purley and Epsom, with both daytime and evening appointments.
I also provide remote counselling via Skype, Zoom or video call to anywhere in the UK.
