About me
I have 28 years experience as a Nurse, although I now work solely as a Counsellor. This perhaps adds a down to earth reality to my work, and I aim to offer warmth, non-judgement and understanding. Since starting to train as a Counsellor In 2007, I have worked voluntarily at Weston College for 2 years, and at SWAN (Counselling for Alcohol and substance mis-use) in Bristol for 3 years. I set up in Private Practice in 2010. I have worked for PAM Assist (Employment Assistance Programme) since March 2018.
What counselling can offer:
It can be daunting to take the step to meet with a Counsellor, but if you can feel the counselling room is a safe and confidential space, healing can begin. I truly believe that whether you want to talk about your life, learn more about yourself, find break-throughs in thinking and behaviours, or just long to be heard and understood, the counselling relationship can help restore lost balance in life or even gain some for the first time.
We all experience upsetting times in our lives, past or present, and these can overwhelm us. Anxiety and depression can end up affecting our lives, relationships and sense of hope for the future.
Without growing in self-awareness, it is difficult to make positive life changes. That's why I'm passionate about what counselling can offer, and have great faith in the power of the relationship between counsellor and client.
I am currently not working face to face during Covid times. When I return to this way of working, my practice is in a village called Clutton, just off the A37, half-way between Bristol and Wells.
Training, qualifications & experience
Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling (Dip HIC)- 2008-2011
Certificate in Counselling Skills- 2007-2008
Registered General Nurse training (RGN)- 1989-1993
I worked as a Volunteer Counsellor at SWAN Protect, Bristol 2008-2012 and at Weston College, Weston Super Mare 2010-2012.
My Private Practice began in 2010.
I have developed insight into, and understanding of my counselling work through Conferences, Study Days, Self-Directed Learning and by attending Private Supervision, Individual and Group Supervision at my Placements, and a Peer Supervision group since 2008.
I'm also a member of CAPPP (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Private Practice), a Support Network for Practitioners in the South West.
Member organisations

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
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
During 2020, I have studied on the Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics two day certificate course and gained the Transactional Analysis TA101 Certificate.
Therapies offered
Fees
Counselling- Individuals- £40 for a one hour session, although this is negotiable.
Supervision- £20 per hour (£35 for one and a half hours per month) whilst studying for the certificate.
I offer a concessionary rate for students and those on low incomes.
(Weekly sessions are the norm for the most benefit, but according to budget and level of support needed, 90 minute, twice weekly or fortnightly sessions are available also).
Concessions offered for
Further information
Parking on my driveway or next to the house always available, when I am back to working face to face.