About me
Welcome.
We all have times in our lives when things don't go the way we expect, plan or want them to. It could be something that happened in the past, is happening now or that you are afraid might happen in the future. As a result, we can experience difficult emotions, such as depression, fear, numbness, anger, rejection, powerlessness and many more.
Whatever it is that has brought you consider therapy, I can provide you the necessary space and time away from everyone and everything else, to try to figure things out. I will do my best to help you understand whatever you are going through.
With experience in many areas and an established practice, I offer you a warm, honest, accepting and down-to-earth approach. Providing you with a welcoming space to talk, together we can look at whatever it is that is troubling you, and work towards finding a way through whatever it is that you are currently struggling with.
All sessions are relaxed and non-clinical. My aim is to make you feel at home and as comfortable as possible.
I'm passionate about personal growth, and would love to work with you to help you understand yourself, so that you can really start to live your life in a way that feels right for you.
In-person, online and telephone appointments are available.
It may be that you may prefer a more traditional approach to sessions, and would like to attend an actual physical therapeutic space. You may find it useful as it can provide you with a sense of accountability, routine or structure. You may just prefer it, or simply don't have the privacy or internet connection they need to stay home and connect online.
My office is at Morton Park, Darlington. There is plenty of free parking if you drive to your appointment, and there are regular buses from Darlington and surrounding areas if you are using public transport.
Online sessions are via Google Meet, unless you have a preference for a different platform. Going online means you can access the same quality of counselling, with the added convenience of being anywhere you feel comfortable and have internet access. All I ask is that you are able to find a private space away from distractions for the duration of the session.
Telephone sessions may an option for you if there's any reason why you don't wish to talk online via video. Telephone counselling can surprisingly intimate, and be just as effective as any other method of counselling, if you feel more comfortable talking in this way.
Therapeutic counselling
I use a humanistic approach, person-centred at the core, which focuses on your individual needs as a person, helping you overcome difficulties and make progress towards confidently becoming who you want to be in life.
My practice is trauma-informed, meaning I take the perspective of "what happened to you?" rather than "what's wrong with you?" therefore will make no attempt to change or correct you or your behaviour. Life shapes us, often in ways we don't realise. This trauma-informed approach might help you understand your difficulties from a new perspective, so that you can either accept things you can't change, or change the things you can.
I offer a menopause-informed practice, with certification in understanding the menopause, it's symptoms and their impact on everyday life. Talking therapy can help you manage things.
You are invited to speak freely about whatever it is that you would like to talk about. I will be right there with you to hear everything you have to say and to hold space for you so that you can process your emotions.
As I am an experienced counsellor, you can be safe in the knowledge that I will not be afraid to go to great depths with you, should you wish to. You will be able to talk openly without any judgement or analysis from me. You will be able to really 'go there', wherever that may be for you, if that is what you need to do and you feel OK to do so.
Counselling can be challenging at times, but more importantly it can be empowering, enlightening and life-changing. I will support you all the way.
FLOW Neuroscience for Depression
FLOW is a safe, medication-free treatment for depression and low mood. Treatment is delivered by gentle electrical current via a headset, stimulating and strengthening the the part of your brain that regulates mood, the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. This area of the brain tends to be less active when depressed.
You simply link your headset to a free app, then wear it for 30 minutes at a time, a few times a week. You are free to move about and do your usual activities whilst wearing it.
Around 77% of users report clinical improvement in their depression after only 3 weeks.
You have the option of linking with me as your clinic, so that we can work together to ensure you get the best results from your headset.
For some, it has the additional 'side effects' of improving your sleep and reducing anxiety.
For further details, or to find out if you would meet the criteria for treatment, you can either just get in touch or visit my website.
Training, qualifications & experience
Relevant qualifications and training
EMDR Psychotherapy Training (Mirabilis Health Institute)
Certificate in Creative Supervision (UKCP accredited)
Mental Health and Counselling (Open University Level 5 distinction)
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB Level 4)
Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB Level 3)
Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB Level 2)
Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling (ACTO approved)
Advanced Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling (ACTO approved)
Enhanced clean DBS check
Level 2 Safeguarding Certificate
Memberships / Accreditation
NCPS (National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society)
Accredited Professional Member
EMDR UK
Registered member (working towards accreditation)
BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy)
Registered Member
Ongoing Continuous Professional Development
I am constantly updating my knowledge and skills in various areas, with a particular interest in attachment trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Experience
Current:
- New Balance Counselling as owner, Professional Accredited (NCPS) Therapeutic Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor
Previous:
- Xyla Digital Therapies as online IAPT (NHS) counsellor
- Alliance Psychological Services as a children's counsellor
- Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre, Darlington as a volunteer women's counsellor
- (GADD) Gay Advice Durham & Darlington as a volunteer counsellor
- Place2Be as a volunteer children's counsellor
Although I no longer offer counselling for children, having been trained in play and creative therapy with children, I have found that working in a creative way with adults as part of counselling can be extremely beneficial too.
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
If there are any other areas that aren't listed here that you may wish to explore, please contact me.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Prices for counselling
- Therapeutic Counselling for individuals:
£50 per 60 min session - Therapeutic Counselling for trainee counsellors:
£40 per 60 min session
I accept enquiries from AVIVA insurance customers.
I accept enquiries from VIVUP, OPTIMA HEALTH and PERKBOX workplace employees.
If you are unsure whether your workplace can fund sessions, contact me and I'll assist you in finding out.
Prices for supervision
- Clinical Supervision for qualified counsellors:
£30 for 30 min session
£40 for 45 min session
£50 for 60 min session
£70 for 90 min session - Clinical Supervision for trainee counsellors:
£25 for 30 min session
£35 for 45 min session
£45 for 60 min session
£65 for 90 min session
Prices for FLOW
- Flow Neuroscience for Depression packages:
Headset package: £349
Headset Plus package: £399
Headset Plus Therapy package: £649
When I work
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