About me
Anxiety about relationships is understandable and they like many things need nurturing, maintenance and repair. My work with couples and other relationships has focused on improving communication and listening skills and questioning assumptions. I support clients to better understand the other and improve connection and intimacy. I also support couples to separate when the relationship is no longer working and those preparing to cohabit, to get married, to parent or the choice not to be parents and to negotiate the challenges around infertility and loss, chronic and terminal illness and disability.
Speaking about your worries with an experienced and sympathetic listener can disempower the anxiety so the work of 'repair' can begin.
Problems might be due to, among other reasons, communication difficulties, illness, anxiety, sexual function, pain during sex, cultural and religious differences, trauma, gender identity or sexual orientation, bereavement, infertility and disability. I have broad experience working with a very diverse population in large inner city NHS clinics, NHS psychosexual services and in private practice. I find it very rewarding to be able to facilitate positive change in people’s relationships and intimate lives. It is a creative and dynamic process and I often feel very touched and privileged to have clients feel confident and safe enough to share their most private thoughts and anxieties with me.
I can also travel to see clients if illness or disability makes it difficult for them to travel, subject to availability and location.
Some of the concerns people bring maybe related to:
- Relationship communication problems
- How to better handle arguments
- Relationship endings
- Marriage preparation
- Painful sex and/or difficulties with penetration
- Difficulties with getting or maintaining erections
- Premature or delayed ejaculation
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in sex
- Difficulty in reaching climax
- The effects of depression on relationships
- Problems associated with menopause
- Relationship difficulties related to disability, chronic disease, accidents, surgery, cancer treatment and skin conditions
- Difficulties in relationship after diagnosis of a terminal illness
- Bereavement
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Infant loss
- Conflicting feelings and/or fear of pregnancy
- Gender identity and sexuality
- Cultural and religious influences
- Concerns about personal sexual practice or those of a partner(s)
- Lack of knowledge about sex
- Kink friendly
If you are currently in a relationship you will be encouraged to attend sessions with your partner because sexual and relationship difficulties rarely 'belong' to one partner or the other. If you don't have a current partner or they don't want to attend appointments it can also be very useful to work on your own.
Relationship therapy and psychosexual therapy are both talking only therapies but you may be asked to practise some helpful practical techniques in the privacy of your own home.
Sessions are usually weekly and work can be short or longer term depending on client needs. Numbers of session are influenced by the pace at which the client feels comfortable to work. I can be flexible for those with irregular work schedules depending on appointment availability.
How To Get Started
Contact me by phone or email to make an appointment for an initial assessment. There is no obligation to continue into therapy. This is a session provding an opportunity for me to find out about your concerns and whether they fall into my area of expertise and for you to gain insight into how I work.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- 2020 Couple Therapy for Depression. Tavistock Centre
- 2018 Foundation Course. British Infertility Counselling Association. Manchester.
- 2016 Diploma in Transpersonal Couple Counselling and Psychotherapy, Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London.
- 2015 Professional Certificate in the use of Mindfulness in Therapy. Mindfulness Institute, London.
- 2014 Diploma (PG level) Clinical Supervision and Consultancy. NAOS Institute, London.
- 2010 PG Dip Relationship Therapy (Psychosexual Therapy) Relate Institute accredited by University of Hull.
- 2006 Advanced Diploma in Woman's Health, Middlesex University.
- 1997 Associate Degree in Applied Science (Nursing) Registered Nurse.
- 1993 BA. New York State University.
Recent Employment
2020 - 2022 Trainer and supervisor Tavistock Relationships.
2019 Current - Trainer for Relate Professional Certificate in Psychosexual Therapy
2012 - 2017: Manager and Service Provider Psychosexual Service, Whittington Health NHS Foundation Trust
2011 2016: VM tutor, University College, London Medical School.
2009 - 2016: Clinical Nurse Specialist and Psychosexual Therapist CNWL NHS Foundation Trust
Memberships
Relationship and Psychosexual Therapist senior accredited by The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
COSRT accredited supervisor
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.
COSRT is the UK’s leading membership organisation for therapists specialising in sexual and relationship issues.
All members must abide by their Code of Ethics and the performance of accredited members is regularly monitored.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Arguments and problems with communication in couple relationships.
- Sexual trauma and abuse.
- Anxiety related to sexual and relationship issues.
- Sexual problems related to illness and disability.
- Concerns around faith, culture, religion and sex in couple relationships.
- Lack of knowledge about sexual function, anatomy and physiology.
- Premarital counselling.
- Infertility
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£90.00 - £125.00
Additional information
I offer a free 15 minute initial phone consultation free of charge to all those interested. If you would like to take advantage of this please contact me by email or phone to arrange a convenient time.
When I work
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Please contact me directly for current availability. Tuesday morning appointments are online only. Other times are online or face to face.
Further information
Currently for face to face consultations in Highgate, North London clients need to be twice Covid vaccinated and boosted. All online consultations are via ZOOM.
www.highgatetherapy.co.uk
