About me
I am a BACP registered integrative counsellor and I provide a warm, non-judgemental and inclusive space open to individuals of all cultures, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations and abilities. I work with adults (18+) and have a specific interest and experience in working with older adults including people with dementia and their families and friends.
I believe that it is never too early or too late to bring about transformation in one’s life. Whether you are dealing with long-standing difficulties that you feel limit your ability to live a fulfilling life or you are going through a difficult patch due to a specific experience or issue, I can help you by providing a safe space where you can voice what is going on for you.
My work aims at building together a bridge between the experiences that have shaped who you are today and who you are today, what you feel and think, the way you portray and relate to yourself and the world. Your experience of being alive in the moment will be our gateway to finding a way to a more fulfilling life, whatever that means to you. This work can be done at any stage of life.
As integrative therapist I draw on different approaches including psychodynamic, person-centred and Gestalt. In order to better meet your needs and support your self-expression, when relevant I incorporate the use of images and symbols, writing, dreams and art.
My work with people affected by dementia is based on Tom Kitwood’s person centred approach and the Validation® method.
The experience of living with dementia is different for each and every person and different is the experience of every family member or friend. Generally speaking it is an experience that changes, and often deeply shakes, the everyday landscape in which one has lived up until then. At times it can be challenging to navigate.
Having access to a safe space in which you can voice what is going on for you, can bring relief, help you feel less isolated and activate internal and external resources.
I work in a relational way. I believe that the quality of the authentic relationship we establish is at the core of the healing and transformative process.
I offer time-limited and open-ended therapy, depending on needs and circumstances.
At the initial session we will have the opportunity to get to know each other and to decide how we might work together.
Other than in English, I offer sessions in Italian and Spanish.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling from CPPD (Centre for Personal and Professional Development) and a Foundation Course in Intercultural Psychodynamic Approaches from Refugee Therapy Centre.
I am a certified practitioner in the Validation® method (Level 1 and Level 2). Validation® is a method of communicating and being with people who live with dementia and cognitive decline.
My background as a counsellor involved working at ELMS (East London Mental Health Service), seeing clients from a variety of backgrounds and dealing with a broad range of mental health difficulties.
I worked for charities in the field of mental wellbeing for many years, supporting adults going through difficult and painful times in their lives. I have extensive experience in supporting people with a life-limiting or terminal illness and their families, from the point of diagnosis to end-of-life, and families going through bereavement. I worked for many years as Dementia Adviser at Alzheimer's Society, supporting people affected by dementia. I also worked with migrants and refugees with experiences of trauma and living with complex mental health difficulties.
I currently run two groups for people living with dementia and cognitive decline.
My areas of interest and expertise include abuse, anger, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, effects of migration and displacement, end of life and death, intrusive thoughts and compulsions, living with dementia, loss and bereavement, low self-esteem, managing illness or disability, relationship difficulties, sexual identity and sexuality, shame and guilt, trauma.
Qualifications
- Level 1 and Level 2 Validation Practitioner (AGAPE Authorised Validation Organisation, Milan)
- Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling (CPPD, London)
- Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling (CPPD, London)
- Foundation Course in Intercultural Psychodynamic Approaches (Refugee Therapy Centre, London)
- MA, History of Political and Juridical Institutions (Università Statale degli Studi, Milan; Universidad Autónoma, Madrid)
- BA (Hons.), Modern History (Università Statale degli Studi, Milan)
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
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fee is £80 for a 50 minutes session.
I have a limited number of reduced cost places for people who are unemployed or on a low income. Please enquire and I would be happy to discuss this over the phone or at our initial session.
Further information
If you have any questions, would like to know more about how I work or to book an initial session please do get in touch.
I aim to respond to your query within 48 hours. All points of contact are confidential.
