About me
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you're not sure what to expect, find it difficult to talk about how you feel or have had experiences where you haven’t feel understood.
My aim is to make the first step, and the sessions that follow, feel as comfortable as possible.
I offer counselling to children from the age of 11, young people, adults and couples. I work in a warm, down-to-earth and non-judgemental way, providing a confidential space where you can feel accepted, supported and able to be yourself.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what to talk about and there is no expectation that you will immediately be able to put everything into words. We can work at a pace that feels right for you.
As a Person-Centred therapist, I believe that you are the expert on your own life. Nobody knows what it is like to be you better than you.
My role isn't to tell you what you should think, feel or do. Instead, I will listen, explore things alongside you and sometimes gently challenge you to look at something from a different perspective. Together we may notice patterns in your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and relationships, explore what might be sitting underneath them, and develop a greater understanding of yourself and what you need.
I believe the relationship between counsellor and client is an important part of therapy. I therefore place a lot of value on building trust and creating a space where you feel able to be honest without fear of judgement.
Many of the people I work with tell me they were nervous about coming to counselling or wasn’t sure it would help. My aim is to create a space where you feel comfortable enough to explore whatever is important to you, at your own pace.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified CPCAB Person Centred Counsellor and completed my Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 2020.
Since qualifying, I have continued to develop my practice through further training and professional development in a range of areas including children and young people's mental health, suicide and self-harm prevention, domestic abuse, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and couples counselling, ADHD and cocaine and other substance use.
Alongside my private practice, I have experience of working and volunteering within a number of agencies and organisations, supporting people with a wide range of difficulties. My previous experience within education also informs my work with children, young people and families.
I offer face-to-face, online and telephone counselling.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in accordance with their professional and ethical framework.
I am fully insured, hold an up-to-date DBS certificate and am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
If you're considering counselling but aren't sure whether I'm the right counsellor for you, you're welcome to get in touch. We can have an initial conversation (there is no charge for this) and you can decide whether working together feels right for you.
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
Fees
Additional information
I offer a free initial conversation, on the telephone, with no obligation.
Session fees;
Individuals £50.00 - 50 minute session
Children and Young People - £40.00 - 40 minutes session
Couples £70.00 - £70.00 - 1 hour session
Extended 90 minute sessions available on request
Further information
I understand that making initial contact with a counsellor can sometimes feel like the hardest part. You are welcome to contact me with any questions before deciding whether you would like to arrange a session.
There is no obligation to continue after an initial session. Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with is important, and you are always free to decide whether I am the right fit for you.
For younger clients, I am happy to speak initially with a parent or carer to discuss what support they are looking for and answer any questions about how counselling works.
For couples, both partners are given equal opportunity to be heard and the relationship itself remains the focus of our work.
