About me
Having had personal experience of mental health issues, I understand that some people may feel daunted and worried in taking the first step in contacting a counsellor for help. Problems can arise from anywhere, family issues, fears, stress, health troubles, genetic issues (eg, bipolar), grief ... the list is endless as to what can cause us to struggle with life, causing depression, anxiety, stress, rages, withdrawal from normal life ... Sometimes it can help to have someone there who can untangle the troubles and help you move forward.
I have been trained in Integrative Counselling, which basically means that I have a number of different counselling approaches in my 'toolkit' which I can use - I don't feel that one approach will suit all clients and often use different approaches with each client. I have had counselling experience within the IAPT service, Sevenoaks Mind, a secondary school and in private practice. I am a member of the BACP (the counselling professional body) which means there are strict guidelines as to how I work with my clients. I also am fully insured for my work.
I have experience in many areas through my years, notably in: depression; anxiety; agorophobia; health anxiety; chronic pain conditions; complex PTSD; trauma; personality disorders; greif and self worth.
I have a specialist interest (both personal and professional) in Neurodiversity, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD and the effects on individuals and their family/friends. I work closely with a highly experienced mentor to support clients with many aspects of living with their neurodiversity.
I enjoy working creatively with clients also - esp when verbalising things become difficult. This includes, but not limited to, writing, drawing, clay and sand tray work.
I am also able to offer animal assisted therapy with my 2 dogs to anyone who feels they'd be of benefit.
I work in person, online and on telephone.
I offer individual, couples and family/group therapy.
I am also a qualified supervisor and can offer supervision.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling
- Diploma in Supervision
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
Worked for over 14 years as a counsellor in schools, the charity sector and private company.
I am experienced to deal with a wide range of issues, but my speicalist interests are in depression, anxiety, and Neurodiversity (I am autistic and ADHD myself).
I also work as a Supervisor.
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
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Counselling - Initial assessment session - £35.
£70 per 50mins session thereafter. £90 per 50mins couples. £130 for family session (1 1/4hr).
Please contact me to discuss if fees need to be negotiated. I do allow concessions if needed.
