About me
Life can feel difficult and confusing at times. Whether you are carrying painful feelings from the past, are struggling with your current circumstances or feel you could be getting more out of life, counselling offers a safe and confidential space to explore what is troubling you.
My role is to support you in finding your own route through the difficulties you are experiencing. I am calm and approachable; I will not judge or tell you what to do.
I can help with issues such as:
- Anxiety and panic
- Low mood / depression
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of confidence
- Bereavement
- Relationship / family issues
- Stress
- Support for carers
- Adjusting to life changes e.g. ill health, empty nest, menopause, divorce, redundancy, retirement, loss of a loved one
I have many years of experience of working to support people of all ages, in a variety of roles and settings, (including as a classroom support for autistic children, volunteering for a suicide prevention charity, a counsellor in a young persons counselling service and also in a busy GP surgery). I currently work in my own private practice and have done so for over 12 years. I use an integrative approach, with a relational focus. I am committed to building therapeutic relationships that feel collaborative, open and supportive.
Autism / Neurodiversity
In more recent years I have been developing my practice to focus on supporting autistic/neurodiverse adults. I have lived experience of supporting family members both in daily life and through the diagnostic process and know first hand how counselling isn’t always easily accessible for neurodiverse people. If you are beginning to suspect that you might be autistic, already have a diagnosis, or are recently diagnosed and trying to make sense of what this means in terms of understanding your past and what you want for your future, I would like to work with you to help. Alternatively, you may feel you need to approach therapy in a different way that works with your brain, rather than against it.
Women in particular are being diagnosed later in life, as understanding of autism and how it can present differently in women and girls is becoming more widely understood. Masking can often help women to “get by” for many years but can come at a huge cost to energy levels and mental health.
I aim to provide a safe, calm environment, mindful of sensory needs. If a full session length sometimes feels too much, I can be flexible to work in a way to be mindful of issues such as fatigue and burnout.
As well as providing a place to explore issues in your life (whether neurodiversity related or unrelated), I am happy to provide support with more practical issues such as managing energy levels, sensory issues and emotional regulation.
I can also offer support to family/carers.
Training, qualifications & experience
FdSc Integrative Counselling - University of Greenwich
NCFE Levels 1,2 and 3 Counselling Skills and Theory - Guildford College
BSc (Hons) Psychology - University College London
Registered Nurse (Adult) and Dip H.E. Adult Nursing - South Bank University
I take part in regular Continued Professional Development.
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
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge a reduced fee of £30.00 for an initial 50 minute assessment session and thereafter £60.00 for each 50 minute session.
I require 24hrs cancellation notice.
Student and low income concession available.
Further information
I am fully insured and hold an up to date enhanced DBS check.
Easy parking.
