About me
We sometimes feel that there is something wrong with us because we cannot cope with life, our emotions feel overwhelming or we feel disconnected from ourselves and others. Perhaps you've spent years feeling that something is wrong with you. Maybe you've tried to cope, push feelings away or convince yourself that you should be over what happened. I believe many of our struggles make sense when we understand our story. Together, we'll explore your experiences with curiosity, compassion and care so that you can begin to understand yourself differently. When we begin to understand our past and the context of our lives, we often discover that there is nothing "wrong" with us at all: our minds and bodies are responding in very human ways to what we have experienced.
I am an experienced Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I have additional training in trauma-informed counselling to better support and work safely with those suffering from trauma. I work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, bereavement and loss, stress, self harm, and a range of other issues. I also have experience working with clients with an existing diagnosis including personality disorders (such as Borderline Personality Disorder) and eating disorders.
I have a trauma-informed psychodynamic approach to therapy which is a non-directive, open ended, client-led model. My work aims to bring hidden feelings and experiences into awareness in a safe and managed way and then to understand and process what may have been hidden, misunderstood or misinterpreted. During our sessions you talk about your life and your experiences and I will ask you questions, be curious, interpret and occasionally challenge what you have said or believe. By creating a place where you feel safe to discuss and explore yourself and your history we are able to look at you and your life with fresh eyes, reworking the narrative you have created for yourself in a way which feels nurturing and safe.
One of the hardest parts of understanding ourselves is recognising that the story we tell about our lives isn't always the whole story. The ways we make sense of painful experiences are often shaped by the need to protect ourselves. In therapy, we'll gently explore your experiences together, helping you develop a more honest and compassionate understanding of your past and present. As that understanding grows, many people find they feel less burdened by inner conflict and more able to move forward. Your past does not have to define you, but understanding it can help you understand yourself.
Emotional disruption can arise when we do not fully understand or process our experiences and relationships, we often protect ourselves by hiding our true feelings towards individuals, events and even ourselves. Ignoring our emotions does not mean they go away, unwanted emotions are like lightning: they will ground themselves somewhere, often expressing themselves in undesirable ways. The better we understand our emotions, and what they are truly a reaction to, the better we can become at regulating and challenging them. Likewise pretending a horrible event didn’t happen or it wasn’t that bad doesn’t mean it hasn’t left its marks on your mind and body. Part of the work I do with my clients is to recognise what they have been avoiding and to try to understand the emotional and bodily effects that it has had: why do you jump at the sound of a car horn, why are you enraged over a stranger accidentally brushing against you, why do you see danger in the shadows, why do you struggle to trust people, why do your relationships break down.
I work by having an initial session, which is an opportunity for us to meet and discuss you, your past, your present and what has brought you into therapy. Within this session we will discuss fees, the therapeutic frame and the practicalities of our work. We will then have weekly sessions at an agreed fee, time and place. As a member of the BACP I adhere to their ethical framework and believe in providing safe, ethical and positive support for those who wish to address the challenges they are currently facing.
Starting any type of therapy can be daunting, especially if life and events are feeling overwhelming. No matter what has brought you here you will be treated with warmth, confidentiality and respect and together we can work towards a happier, stronger and more fulfilled version of you.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from Highgate Counselling Centre
- Certificate in Counselling Skills from Highgate Counselling Centre
- Trauma-informed Counselling from The Open University
- Mentalizing and Mentalization Based Treatment with Adults (MBT Adult): An Introduction from Anna Freud Centre
- Qualified Mental Health First Aider
- Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Our initial session will be charged at a flat rate of £60. For further sessions I work on a sliding scale between £60 - £80 which is decided by my clients.
I offer a concessionary rate for those who may be struggling to finance weekly therapy.
When I work
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