About me
I passionately believe in the potential within each of us to grow, change and develop as we move through our lives. Sometimes it can feel like this potential is hard to access and we may be more aware of the difficulties we face in navigating our lives than the possibility of growth and satisfaction we might long for.
Perhaps you are stuck, dissatisfied, feeling lost or confused in your life, work and relationships. Maybe you're suffering from difficulties like anxiety, depression, and the impacts of trauma or past problems. Or, you might be struggling with a sense that something is missing and are curious to explore.
People come to me with a range of emotional, relationship and life difficulties and we work together to raise awareness of how these difficulties have come to be and where there is potential for change. Often we find that deep rooted beliefs and ways of being have developed over a lifetime and stand in the way of us living more fully and having more satisfaction in our life, work and relationships.
There may have been difficult, painful or traumatic experiences in the past that have led to troubling emotions or limiting beliefs. These might be known about or hidden out of awareness. When out of awareness these difficulties and beliefs might come together to create a sense of being flawed in some way or that there is something wrong with our self or personality.
We can work together to get to know what is behind the struggles that bring you to therapy and, with kindness and care, explore new options for richer living and greater satisfaction.
I offer a supportive, nurturing and challenging therapeutic relationship where we can work together to explore the unique circumstances of your life and history and how these might be impacting on your experience now, and cultivate the possibility of change and greater choice in areas where you may feel stuck.
Whilst finding greater ease with any symptoms that have brought you to therapy is an important part of our work together, ‘feeling better’ can be just the beginning. I believe our symptoms of distress, be they anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or a sense of disconnection are doorways to deeper self understanding and the whisper of the pain in our hearts seeking a voice, understanding and love.
We have the potential and possibility of transformation when we can cultivate capacities of curiosity, gentleness and kindness in relationship to our troubling experiences. In therapy with me, I seek to offer this and support you in developing these capacities in yourself.
My way of working emphasises close attention to how you feel, what you want and need, along with what you think and what you believe. We can sift through the beliefs and thoughts that support you and those that limit you or cause suffering. We can explore what resources and supports you to live the life you want.
If my way of working resonates with you contact me to arrange a free initial introductory call and we can take it from there.
Training, qualifications & experience
I trained in the 4 year Gestalt Therapy Diploma course at Edinburgh Gestalt Course. This programme is accredited and recognised by the UKCP. Unlike some therapy courses, my training included the requirement that I be in my own personal therapy for the duration of the training. This experience was life changing for me and is an important part of my ongoing journey of growth and healing and professional development. I believe my commitment to my own inner work enables me to show up for you in our work together with warmth, compassion, challenge and insight.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked for many years in policy, strategy and corporate planning and management roles in the public sector.
I am also a yoga teacher and have a strong interest in working with embodied experience, including felt sense, movement, breathing and somatics in my work.
Client Feedback
I've been working with people as a therapist for 10 years. Whilst each therapy process is as unique as you are, and when we begin there is no way of knowing where it will lead, there are some common themes that come out in the feedback I receive from clients.
Here are some of the things people have told me about how therapy with me has helped them:
- Increased self awareness, understanding and self compassion
- Greater confidence in having difficult conversations
- Reduced anxiety
- Increased sense of agency and power
- Less overwhelm
- Greater sense of safety
- Clearer boundaries
- Deeper intimacy and sense of connection in important relationships
- Confidence to make decisions, take risks and pursue goals
- Feeling more engaged and alive
My qualifications:
- Certificate in Relational Supervision, Relational Change 2021
- Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute 2020
- Diploma in Gestalt Therapy, Edinburgh Gestalt Institute, 2017
- Diploma in Yoga Teaching, Yoga Scotland, 2012
- MA (Hons) Sociology, University of Edinburgh, 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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
- Shame
- Relational trauma and complex ptsd
- Inner child work
- Meaning of life
- Life purpose
- Fragile sense of self
- Creativity
- Spirituality
- Emptiness
- Couples therapy
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer a free 15 minute introductory phone call where we can talk about what brings you to therapy and arrange a first meeting if you wish to go ahead.
When I work
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I currently have space available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Further information
I offer a free initial 15 minute introductory phone call to talk more about what brings you to therapy and where we can discuss whether to proceed to a full initial consultation session.