About me
Reaching out for counselling can feel difficult, particularly if you are used to coping alone or are unsure how to explain what has been happening. You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
I offer a calm, confidential and non judgemental space where you can talk openly and explore what is happening at your own pace. I support adults and couples experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, life changes, low self esteem, neurodivergence or a general sense of feeling stuck.
I am an integrative counsellor. This means I draw upon a range of therapeutic ideas and adapt the way I work around you, rather than expecting you to fit one particular approach. We will work together to understand your experiences and focus on what feels most important to you.
Our work may include making sense of difficult experiences, recognising recurring patterns, understanding how the past may be affecting the present and exploring choices or changes that feel right for you.
When working with couples, I provide a balanced space where both partners can feel heard. We can explore communication, recurring conflict, trust, disconnection, life changes and other pressures affecting the relationship. My role is not to take sides, but to help you understand what is happening between you and consider how you would like to move forward.
I offer short or longer term counselling in person at Kingsway House in Widnes and online across the UK through Zoom. If you attend online, you are welcome to keep your camera switched off if that feels more comfortable.
I am an NCPS Accredited Registrant and work in accordance with its professional and ethical standards. If you feel I may be the right counsellor for you, you are welcome to contact me through this profile or visit the Local Counselling website.
Training, qualifications & experience
I undertook my counselling training at Riverside College, progressing through Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 counselling studies before completing a Foundation Degree in Counselling (FdSc), awarded by Staffordshire University. I then went on to complete the Level 6 top-up degree at Staffordshire University, achieving a BSc (Hons) in Counselling.
My training covered a range of therapeutic approaches, providing a strong foundation for my integrative practice. This included counselling theory and skills, mental health and case formulation, personal development, professional and ethical practice, and supervised counselling placement experience. My honours degree allowed me to further develop my knowledge and understanding of counselling theory and practice, alongside completing an independent research project.
I have experience supporting adults with a wide range of difficulties, including trauma, anxiety, stress, low mood, grief and loss, ADHD, autism and neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, life changes, low self-esteem and feelings of being stuck.
I have a particular interest in, and experience of, supporting women through different stages of life, including the pre- and postnatal periods, the challenges of early motherhood and parenting, and the emotional and psychological changes associated with perimenopause and menopause.
I am an Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), MNCPS (Acc.), membership number NCS23-00761. I attend regular clinical supervision, hold professional indemnity insurance and work in accordance with the NCPS Code of Ethics.
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. 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
One of my particular areas of interest and experience is supporting adults who have experienced childhood trauma, including emotional, physical or sexual abuse, neglect and difficult early relationships.
I recognise that experiences from childhood can have a lasting impact on how we see ourselves, relate to others and navigate everyday life. You may find yourself struggling with anxiety, self-worth, trust, relationships, setting boundaries or understanding why certain situations bring up strong emotions.
Sometimes you may know that your past is affecting you but find it difficult to understand how or why. Counselling can offer a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space to explore these experiences, begin making sense of the connections between your past and present, and work towards greater understanding, self-compassion and emotional wellbeing at a pace that feels right for you.
ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence
I also have a keen interest in supporting adults with ADHD, autism and the emotional challenges that can come with being neurodivergent.
Perhaps you have spent much of your life feeling different, misunderstood or overwhelmed, struggling to understand why things that seem easier for others can feel so difficult for you. You may have experienced years of masking, trying to fit in, feeling that you are not good enough or becoming exhausted from constantly managing the expectations of others.
You might be beginning to recognise traits of ADHD or autism in yourself, questioning whether you are neurodivergent, waiting for an assessment or diagnosis, or feeling frustrated that nobody seems to understand what you are experiencing or offer the support you need.
You do not need a formal diagnosis to access counselling. I can offer a space where you feel listened to, understood and accepted, without judgement or pressure to be someone you are not. Together, we can explore your experiences, develop a greater understanding of your individual needs and find ways of managing challenges that work for you.
Women's Mental Health, Perimenopause and Menopause
Another area close to my professional interests is supporting women through different stages of life, including pregnancy, the postnatal period, early motherhood, perimenopause and menopause.
These life stages can bring significant emotional, physical and psychological changes, sometimes affecting confidence, identity, relationships and overall mental wellbeing.
I am particularly interested in the relationship between hormonal changes, mental health and neurodivergence. For some women, perimenopause and menopause can bring increased anxiety, changes in mood, difficulties with concentration, feeling overwhelmed or a sense of no longer recognising themselves. For women with ADHD or autism, hormonal changes may also affect how they experience and manage existing challenges.
You may feel that something has changed but struggle to explain what is happening. Perhaps you have sought help but feel dismissed, unheard or that your experiences have not been fully understood.
My theraputic approach offers you a place to talk openly about these experiences, explore their impact on your emotional wellbeing and begin to make sense of what you are going through. My aim is to help you feel heard, supported and better able to understand your own needs, without judgement or the expectation that you should simply be coping.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50. A limited number of reduced rate individual sessions are available at £40 by prior agreement.
Couples counselling costs £80 for a 50 minute session or £100 for a 90 minute session.
Full payment is required securely through Stripe when booking. Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice and missed appointments may be charged in full. Extenuating circumstances will be considered fairly.
When I work
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Further information
I work from a quiet, private counselling room at Local Counselling, Kingsway House, Caldwell Road, Widnes, WA8 7GD. Onsite parking is available, including accessible parking spaces close to the reception entrance. When you arrive, please sign in at reception and I will collect you at the start of your session.
I offer counselling in person and online across the UK. During online sessions, you are welcome to use video or keep your camera switched off and join using audio only.
As an integrative counsellor, I draw upon different therapeutic perspectives and adapt the way I work around each client rather than following a fixed programme. Sessions may be short or longer term and can take place weekly, fortnightly or at another agreed frequency.
I work with adults aim to provide a warm, respectful and non judgemental space where you can speak openly, feel heard and explore what matters to you at your own pace.
