About me
I am an experienced, fully qualified integrative counsellor, which means I can make use of a range of therapeutic skills to tailor my work to your specific needs and preferences.
When things are very difficult it can feel impossible to resolve what is so troubling without having skilled help. You might be facing an overwhelming mountain of problems, or be in despair and not really know why.
Or sometimes, there might just be a need for someone to talk things through with. I will listen to you carefully. I will not make assumptions about you or judge you.
Using an integrative approach combined with my natural warmth and empathy, I can gently enable you to unpack the issues you are struggling with.
I am currently working with clients online.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have worked in the helping professions for forty years and I have wide experience of helping people in many different settings. I qualified as an integrative counsellor in 2022. I hold a certificate in online counselling and I currently work solely online. I have particular interest and expertise in men's issues, bereavement, addictions, and LGBTQ+, and I have helped people who are neurodiverse (Autism Spectrum, ADHD etc).
In 2010 I was awarded a PhD for my research with gay men who had experienced hate-motivated victimisation. I have experience helping people bereaved through homicide; and with workplace harassment and discrimination. I can work long-term, as well as provide shorter-term therapy geared to addressing a specific problem. Having qualified as a counsellor in later life I am well placed to tune into the needs of people who are struggling with significant life changes such as illness, retirement, or being an 'empty nester'.
- Certificate in on-line and telephone counselling, 2023
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling, 2022
- PhD Sociology 2010
- Diploma in Social Work and MSc 1984
- BSc Social Science 1981
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I can in some circumstances offer a slight reduction in fees, for example, counselling students who envisage a long-term commitment to therapy.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
I currently work only online, using Zoom, MS Teams or WhatsApp and FaceTime. Online counselling is thought to work just as well as face to face counselling. There are some disadvantages to online counselling; for example, it can be more difficult for the counsellor to pick up on non-verbal communication. However, I have been trained in online counselling and I have learned ways to overcome this disadvantage. There are also advantages. Some people say it is easier to talk about their problems when they are not sitting in the same room as the counsellor. Because I am not restricted by having to rent a counselling room I can be more flexible with appointments and you don't have to see me on the same day each time, which is good for people who work shifts. It also means you do not have to travel to your sessions - a great advantage for people whose mobility is limited. It is important that you have a quiet and confidential space, and a good internet connection, for online counselling to work.
I am happy to offer an initial telephone consultation of up to 30 minutes free of charge to help you decide if I am the right counsellor for you.
