About me
I believe counselling should feel like sitting with a real person, not being analysed, judged or told how to live your life. My hope is that, from our first conversation, you feel able to breathe a little more easily and know that you do not have to carry everything alone.
Perhaps you have become so used to getting through each day that you have forgotten what it feels like to genuinely feel okay. You might be struggling with anxiety, low self-worth, loneliness, grief, relationships or addictive patterns. Something from your past may still be affecting you, or perhaps you cannot quite explain what feels wrong, you simply know that something needs to change.
You do not need to arrive with everything worked out. You do not even need to know what to say or where to begin. We can work that out together.
Alongside my private practice, I work within substance use services, supporting individuals experiencing alcohol and drug misuse, mental health difficulties and complex emotional challenges. Through this work, I have extensive experience supporting people affected by anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, shame, grief, relationship difficulties, addiction and the impact of long-term stress.
I also have interest in supporting frontline and helping professionals, including those working in healthcare, social care, emergency services and other high-pressure environments. These roles often involve caring for others whilst having little opportunity to process the emotional impact of what they experience. Counselling can offer a confidential space to talk openly, make sense of difficult experiences and prioritise your own wellbeing.
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, burnout, alcohol use, relationship difficulties, life transitions or simply feeling overwhelmed by everything you are carrying, I offer a warm, non-judgemental space where we can work together at a pace that feels right for you.
I am warm, down-to-earth and genuinely interested in the person sitting in front of me. I will not sit silently analysing you or expect you to talk for 50 minutes when the words are not there. Our sessions can include conversation, reflection, silence and even humour. Counselling can be meaningful without always feeling formal or clinical.
I will not pretend to have all the answers, because you are the expert on your own life. What I can offer is a genuine relationship where you can feel heard, understood and accepted. Together, with honesty, curiosity and compassion, we can begin to understand what may be keeping you stuck and find a way forward that feels right for you.
I work integratively, which simply means I do not believe one approach suits everyone. I draw from different counselling approaches and shape our work around you, your experiences, your needs and your pace.
Our relationship will be at the heart of the work. There may be difficult conversations, but there can also be warmth, humour and moments of relief. And when words feel difficult, I am comfortable sitting alongside you in silence. You will never be rushed or pressured to speak.
Thinking about counselling but nervous about taking that first step?
You do not need to write a long message or explain everything. You can simply get in touch and say:
"I think I need someone to talk to."
We can start there.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified integrative counsellor with a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I also hold a BSc in Psychology and Criminal Justice. I work in accordance with the NCPS ethical framework and undertake regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development.
Alongside my counselling practice, I work within a substance‑use service, supporting people affected by alcohol and drug use. My role includes one‑to‑one psychosocial support, motivational work, harm reduction, relapse prevention, care planning, emotional wellbeing, risk management and safeguarding. I am also trained in naloxone administration and, in my day job, I frequently respond to overdoses, crises and highly distressing situations. This experience has strengthened my ability to remain calm, steady and present, and has given me confidence in supporting clients who feel overwhelmed, upset or unsure how to begin.
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent almost 20 years working within the emergency services. This gave me extensive experience of supporting people through complex, distressing and life‑changing circumstances, and shaped my ability to remain calm, grounded and present when someone is sharing experiences that may feel difficult to speak about. I also understand the pressures, trauma exposure and emotional impact that emergency‑services staff often carry, having lived it myself.
My counselling experience includes supporting people with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, low self-worth, relationship difficulties, shame, addictive patterns and the lasting effects of difficult or traumatic experiences. However, you do not need to be facing a crisis or have a name for what you are feeling. You may simply feel out of sorts, disconnected, unsettled or unlike yourself. Whatever brings you to counselling, we can begin with where you are and explore it together.
I have a particular interest in supporting people who spend much of their lives caring for others, including healthcare staff, social care professionals, emergency service workers and family carers. When you're used to being the one others rely on, it can be difficult to find space for your own thoughts, feelings and needs.
Some of the training and experience include :
- Substance-use awareness and interventions
- Harm reduction
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychosocial interventions
- Relapse prevention
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Safeguarding and risk management
- Trauma-informed practice
- Naloxone training
- Trauma informed practice
- CBT skills
- Frontline wellbeing
- Emergency services
- Healthcare workers
- Compassion fatigue
- Burnout
- Work stress
- TraumaSecondary trauma
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I work in a trauma‑informed, compassion‑focused way, supporting clients who are navigating the impact of difficult or overwhelming experiences. This includes working with substance use as a coping strategy, helping people understand emotional triggers, reduce harm, and move toward change at a pace that feels safe and sustainable. My approach recognises the connection between trauma, the nervous system, and patterns of coping, and I support clients in developing grounding skills, emotional regulation, and kinder internal narratives. I also work with partners and family members affected by someone else’s substance use, offering space for clarity, boundaries, and emotional steadiness. Alongside this, I have a particular interest in attachment patterns, shame‑sensitive work, and stabilisation, helping clients build inner resources before moving into deeper exploration.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £50 per 50-minute session, with a reduced rate of £45 available for students, trainee counsellors, OAPs and people on a low income. I aim to keep therapy accessible while maintaining a consistent, professional service. If you’re unsure which fee applies to you, we can talk it through together.
I offer a free initial telephone conversation, giving us an opportunity to briefly discuss what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions and see whether working together feels right for you. There is no pressure or obligation to book afterwards.
If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, I kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at the full session fee. Further details are included in the counselling agreement.
When I work
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Further information
I offer individual counselling for adults, providing a warm, down-to-earth space where you can talk openly and at your own pace. You don't need to know exactly what you want to say or where to begin. We can work that out together.
I offer face-to-face, online and telephone counselling, with evening and Saturday appointments available. Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50.
I offer a free 15 to 30-minute introductory telephone conversation where we can explore what has brought you to counselling, discuss how I work, and see whether we feel like a good fit.
You don't need to prepare anything before your first session. We'll begin gently, exploring what's happening for you, what you'd like to gain from counselling, and how I can best support you.
And if part of you is wondering whether what you're going through is "enough" to seek counselling, you don't need to wait until things become overwhelming. If something is affecting you, it matters.
