About me
Are you wondering if counselling really does work and if it’s for you? After all, it’s just talking about “feelings” isn’t it? And perhaps that sounds a bit difficult or even uncomfortable? Perhaps you’re thinking that now’s not the right time; maybe you’ll leave it for a while, things are bound to get better...
I remember thinking the same until somehow I found the courage to go and see a counsellor. He was an elderly man. Well, he was in his 60s, like I am now, so not that elderly! He gave me the great gift of time and space to unpack and examine the emotional luggage I was carrying and to work out with him what I wanted to keep and what it was time to say goodbye to. And there was no judging…how liberating that felt!
I don’t know what brings you to consider counselling. Many things can cause us to feel overwhelmed, anxious or depressed. Maybe for you it’s a bereavement or a life-limiting illness, perhaps family issues, relationship concerns, money worries, work stresses, loneliness, fear about the future, of change, of ageing and, dare we say it, of death. Or it could be something else entirely. Whatever it is, counselling really can help at difficult times. It can also help us to grow and change, indeed it can be one of the most important steps we take in life.
If you would like to reach out and tell me your story, please do. I will listen.
How I work
I’m an integrative counsellor which means I believe there isn’t just one therapeutic approach for all situations. I draw on a number of counselling theories, using the ones that are most suitable and beneficial. The main approaches I use are Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and CBT. I also have significant experience of grief counselling and of dealing with men's issues
My overriding aim is to build a therapeutic relationship that is caring and non-judgmental. I will work alongside you and help you through whatever it is that brings you to counselling. You will always be at the centre of everything we do, and the sessions will always be led by what you want to talk about.
I have a counselling room in Maidstone which is a safe, comfortable and confidential space. I also offer telephone and online counselling, so if you’re not local or would simply prefer online sessions, we can arrange them remotely
Alongside my private practice, I worked for a number of years as a bereavement counsellor for patients and their families in a local hospice and loss of all kinds is a feature of much of my work. I am also a counsellor for a charity that helps those working in the Arts.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling (2022)
- Certificate in Counselling Studies (2020)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (2019)
- Qualified as a Solicitor (1991)
- Law Society Final Examination (1988)
- BA (Hons) History (1983)
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
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free 15 minute consultation. Call or email me to schedule this.
