About me
Life can be difficult sometimes. You can be anxious about all sorts of things, scared of situations, people and spiders. We can get depressed about things we can't change, and lose ourselves in the roles and paths we first thought were ok. We can end up drinking too much, harming ourselves, gambling, taking drugs - all sorts of ways of not having to listen to what we really feel.
I trained as a counsellor because one of the best things in the world is helping someone overcome what life has thrown at them - clients find that therapy can offer new resources to come out the other side and live life to the full.
I am a person-centred therapist, which means that whatever you bring becomes our priority. I listen without judging you, help you to find your 'real' self, and keep you company while you explore different ways forward. We can look at whatever tools might help you - if it works for you that's the main thing!
I have a lot of experience helping clients who have survived the worst things that childhood can bring - abuse (physical and sexual) and neglect, which can affect you long into adult life. I also help with anxiety and depression, life changes and helping you solve particular issues that are important to you.
My consulting room is designed to make you feel comfortable (you can choose the soundtrack if you like!) and if you run out of things to say there are fish to watch. If you have mobility restrictions don't worry - there is free parking within ten (level) feet of the door, and somewhere to get coffee and reviving cake close by. I prefer to work in person - technology can be useful but it can also get in the way.
Many clients find it difficult to find time during their working week, so as well as evening appointments I choose to work on Saturdays - please contact me for a no-obligation chat and a visit if you would find that useful, and we can see if working together could be a first step to you feeling better.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am registered as a National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society Senior Accredited psychotherapist, with a Masters degree from Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute/Staffordshire University. I have also completed UKCP accredited Diploma training in Supervision, and have taught trainee counsellors.
After qualifying I completed two years' post-qualification training in focusing oriented psychotherapy, where I use a wider method of hearing what is going on for you (and me) in the therapy room.
I am happy to listen to whatever issues clients bring me. I have extensive experience with survivors of difficult childhoods - childhood abuse, violence and neglect, and how this can affect clients in adulthood. These can result in anxiety, OCD, depression, flashbacks, fibromyalgia, alcohol/substance abuse and panic attacks for example, and if you need of support then your life so far might be something you want to explore. I work in a gentle, person-centred way which is non-shaming, positive and empowering.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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