About me
Life can be really hard, in a whole host of ways. Perhaps that’s why you’re here. You’ve already taken a courageous step. You might be experiencing self-doubt, emotional pain, a feeling of stuckness, or of life not being what you had hoped. Maybe you’re trying to avoid these feelings through behaviours, relationships, substances, or work, for example. Perhaps you find yourself in the same argument/situation/relationship over and over again and want to change it.
Maybe you simply want to find out more about yourself and the inner mechanisms causing you to respond to life in the way that you do.
Therapy can help with all of this. Welcome.
We will build a safe relationship in which we can look at what’s difficult together, with empathy, and without any judgement. A relationship built with this compassion and acceptance, models that you can gradually have increased compassion and acceptance for yourself. Through this, radical change can happen.
Therapy can be a difficult process that requires real commitment and work. It won’t always feel positive or easy, because we will be reaching to layers of feelings that lie more deeply than we allow ourselves to feel day to day. I will check in with you throughout our sessions, asking you to listen to what your body is telling you. You can’t get the process ‘wrong’, and if it gets difficult I will support you.
Therapy is ultimately a courageous and loving act both towards yourself and the people in your life. Good for you for choosing to explore, ‘unpack’ and seek change.
Feel free to contact me to arrange an introductory session. If I don't have space I will generally give some recommendations of colleagues whose work I respect for you to contact. The foundation of successful therapeutic work lies in the success of the therapeutic relationship, ie, 'how we click'. So it's a good idea to have introductions with a couple of different therapists to get a feel for how you get on.
Training, qualifications & experience
. Psychotherapeutic Counsellor Accreditation with UKCP, PCIPC 2022
. Advanced Level 6 Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, BCPC 2021
. Level 2 BSL 2021
. Swan Project Placement Counsellor 2018-2022 providing long-term, low-cost counselling for adults with alcohol or addiction related issues.
. Level 3 Counselling Skills and Theory, CPCAB 2018
. Level 2 Counselling Skills with Young People and Children, Place2Be, 2016.
I am an accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with UKCP. This indicates a further year of rigorous supervision and self-work, further to my Advanced Level 6 Diploma as a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor, and qualifies me as a Psychotherapist.
What does ‘Humanistic Integrative Counsellor’ mean?
‘Humanistic’ includes values like understanding that you have autonomy as your own person, you are fundamentally ‘good’ and that you have a natural inclination towards emotional healing and growth and are guided by your own inner wisdom.
‘Integrative’ means I work in a holistic way, drawing from different therapeutic models, and working with you as a whole body-soul-mind, and your wider context. Primarily my work is rooted in both Person-Centred therapy (you’re the expert in You), and Psychodynamic theory (we look together at the roots rather than present day fixes).
‘Psychotherapeutic’ is about us building relationship, and helping you to build relationship within yourself too.
I’m fascinated by the unconscious and welcome it into our sessions in simple ways such as noticing sensations in the body, sharing dreams, or images, integrating transcendental, psychedelic or taboo experiences, or gut feelings.
I have an increasing specialism and interest in recovery from religious or spiritual manipulation or high control religion, faith deconstruction, and rebuilding an independent spiritual sense of yourself. I also work with the spiritual and often unconscious relationship we have with money.
I trained at the well respected Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, accredited both by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (member *2011182989) and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I follow the BACP ethical framework for safe practice, and have regular supervision with a qualified and accredited supervisor. I am part of a long term peer-supervision group which provides on-the-go support throughout my week, and am still in my own personal therapy. I see my own personal development and acceptance as a life-long endeavour of great value.
My background before therapy was in arts and movement as a dancer and choreographer, and in alternative provision secondary schools working with young people living very challenging lives. I believe that Movement is Life and that the imagination is the most powerful, and accessible, tool we have at our disposal for self-knowledge and change
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Religious deconstruction
Religious/spiritual/psychological abuse
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Additional information
My fee is £65.
If we choose to work together our initial meeting will be charged at £65 as the first session. If either of us decide not to work together following our initial meeting there is no fee to pay.
I can offer some concessionary rates, which I'm happy to discuss in session. If finances are limiting your access to therapy, let's talk about it.
When I work
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Further information
For Zoom sessions I request that you find yourself a regular, private space to have your sessions from where you feel safe, able to focus, and won't be disturbed.
In Bristol and Bath my sessions are held on the first and second floors, unfortunately without access for wheelchair users.
