About me
For 10 years I wrote advice columns ('agony uncle') plus I have been a 'guest expert' in newspapers, on radio and television. My approach blends 30 years of skill and experience with gentle, respectful suggestions I put in front of the client. I'm BACP Accredited and BUPA registered.
Clients are often looking for support and effective answers for Anxiety, Depression and Low Self-Esteem. Sometimes it's an Addiction or ADHD or OCD concern, or the person has been the victim/survivor of some form of Abuse or Childhood Loss. It may be Individual or Couples work. I work in an effective, client-centred approach, with CBT input and many additional qualifications (pls see my Training and Experience.).
I work with both individuals and couples (I'm Relate trained). Over the years feedback from my clients has helped me develop a way of working which is valuable and very effective. I'm aware of the current financial squeeze so I've just reduced my fees to £60 per session for individuals (50 min/the therapeutic hour), and £90 for couple work which is a 75 minute session. I work from from my home in Broadstairs CT10 Monday to Thursday in person, and I also work on the phone and via Zoom any time.
How Counselling and Psychotherapy Can Help
Because you have the opportunity to really set out and thoroughly examine the issues in your present and past life, and to work out a more desirable future. It helps because I will listen and put things together for you. I may make suggestions but these are not commands - these are suggestions for being more active and successful in dealing with your issues. I also think sessions are really helpful because you know that once a week you have somewhere where you can unpack the week, so as you go through the days you can save up things you want to talk about. Although it's only 50 minutes (the therapeutic hour) I see therapy as a 24/7 cocoon of support and understanding. And I have lots of helpful insights - NATS (Negative Automatic Thoughts), 'I'm Okay, You're Okay' and ACT - Acceptance and Commitment therapy.
What to expect in the first session
If you've not been to counselling before, it might seem daunting. Instead think of it as a wonderful place to let go of your problems. If you have difficulty putting things into words, I have many years of helping to support and clarify client's thinking. You will see that I am not there to judge or criticise, as you may have experienced from friends or others. I am there only to help you make sense of things and sort things into whether you have to accept them, forget them or work on them.
I am experienced in helping clients who are experiencing difficulties with:
- depression
- anxiety
- relationship issues and handling break-ups
- panic attacks and anxiety using CBT
- redundancy and other work issues
- questions about unlovability - helplessness - lack of self-worth
- talking about sexual orientation
- overcoming a 'toxic' childhood and adolescence,
- compulsive and/or addictive behaviour AND other therapy issues
In addition to general individual and couple therapy, I have specialised in working with Eating Disorders. I have published three books on this - All books are available on Amazon.
I was a volunteer therapist with Relate for two years and I am effective and experienced in couples therapy. I am in a long term relationship/marriage.
The yellow-walls photo is my therapy/sitting room. A warm environment for therapy work.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Latest qualifications:
- Certificate in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia)
- Certificate in CBT for Anxiety and Depression
- Advanced Diploma in using CBT (including ACT)
- Diploma in the Symptoms, Treatment and Management of ADHD
- Certificate in Overcoming OCD: Diagnosis, Treatment Options and Management
- Certificate in Introduction to PTSD: Treating Trauma and Managing Symptoms
- Certificate in Mastering Insomnia: Unlocking the Secrets to Deep, Restorative Sleep
- Certificate in Navigating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Certificate in Dyslexia Awareness Training
- Certificate in Diagnosis and Treatment of Hoarding Disorder (this is especially helpful for supporting people affected by someone with the Disorder)
- Certificate in Autism Awareness and Inclusive Practices
- Certificate in Managing Social Media Addiction
- Emotional Awareness Inventory Practitioner
- 2008-2013 - MA Psychotherapy, Regent's College.
- 2008 - Post Grad certificate in CBT for Anxiety and Depression, Metanoia Institute (I have found this aspect really helps people get to grips with negative thoughts and feelings).
- 2008-2010 - Part time Hon Psychotherapist, St Thomas' Hospital, psychotherapy dept.
- 2000 - BA Hons counselling, Metanoia Institute
- 1999 - BACP accreditation. (I am currently 'MBACP')
- 1998-1999 - 2 years post-grad couples counselling training with Relate
- 1998 - Diploma in client-centred counselling, Metanoia Institute
- 1993 - 2002 - Agony uncle/advice writer for a number of magazines and newspapers
- Three books on Eating Disorder Recovery
- Book: The 12-Type Enneagram - a practical, esoteric understanding of planetary Essence Types - published by Watkins
I have made many TV and radio appearances as a guest expert. Particularly, In 2001-2 I was a regular guest expert on ITV's Trisha show. i have also written two articles for Therapy Today as well as many magazines and newspapers.
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.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I ask £70 per 50 minute session for individuals.
£100 per 75 minute session for couples.
I see students on counselling/psychotherapy courses - there is a discount available for therapy students.
In Broadstairs, Kent, there are a few steps leading to the front door. My consulting room is on the ground floor.
In London, Islington, I'm in a flat on the ground floor. Accessible.
When I work
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