About me
About me
Hello and welcome to my profile. I am a Level 5 qualified counsellor registered with the BACP and NCPS. I also hold a specialist post-qualifying diploma in eating disorders. I offer both brief and long-term therapy to adults, young adults and adolescents from 12+ years. Sessions can be in-person or held online via Zoom. Single session therapy is also available for specific issues.
I am located in rural Pershore but close to M5 J7, therefore easily accessible from Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.
Making the decision to undertake counselling is a big step and if it is for you, then I can provide a safe and confidential space for us to work together. Counselling is both a time and a space for you.
I value professionalism, confidentiality and authenticity and for me, the counselling relationship is based upon these qualities, alongside the all important non-judgmental attitude. The counselling process allows you to explore how you are feeling; to reflect on what is happening now and to consider how you want to feel.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming and we are mostly able to cope, carry on and even strive at times, with everyday stresses, dilemmas and problems encountered. However, life can be testing and the emotional responses are often negatively felt as anxiety and/or fear, anger or sadness. These negative emotions are generally, a natural response to unfamiliar or demanding experiences but these are big emotions that we (1) do not want; (2) can struggle to overcome and (3) can impact upon daily life.
You may be seeking counselling for a specific issue, however sometimes it is difficult to ascertain the root cause of such feelings and their impact. 'You', in counselling, is defined as 'the self' and 'loss of self' is common and can happen at any stage of life. Through client-led talking therapy, I can help you to uncover, discover or re-discover the authentic or 'true' self - the real you. Growth and change are at the heart of counselling. I am a firm believer that we all have the capability of embracing change and the positive growth that it offers. This helps us to develop and improve the relationship with ourselves and others.
I work integratively, which allows me to draw upon a range of approaches and techniques. In my view, counselling is not a 'one-size-fits-all' as we are all unique. Utilising a range of therapeutic models, facilitates an individualistic, counselling process with the ultimate aim of promoting positive change. My primary approach is humanistic, person-entered counselling, which places you, the client, in control of your sessions. As you, and only you, are the expert of your own life. However, my integrative training allows me to incorporate other, more, directive approaches such as CBT with its coping techniques, psychodynamic theories to explore life events and creative approaches can also be useful if appropriate.
What to expect
I am based in a calm and tranquil location and sessions take place in a sensitively designed therapeutic space. This space promotes confidentiality, which is at the heart of my practice. I am easy to find and there is free, off-road, parking available.
Before committing to regular sessions, I offer a 30-minute, non-obligatory, consultation session (free of charge). This is an opportunity for us to have a meet-and-greet type of session. This can be an in-person or via a remote session. This enables us to discuss how counselling may help and how we will work together. Kindly note that this does not apply to single session therapy.
Getting in touch
If you are interested, please make contact and we can arrange your initial consultation. I will respond to all enquiries and aim to get back to you within 48-hours.
Please do check your spam or junk folder for my reply to your enquiry.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training and experience
I hold a level 5 counselling diploma and a post-qualifying diploma in eating disorders.
I have extensive experience working with clients that are experiencing anxiety (generalised or specific), low mood, low self-esteem/confdence, depression, loss of purpose, anger, trauma including childhood trauma, abuse (physical, sexual and emotional), victims of narcissistic abuse, bereavement/grief/loss, peri-menopause and menopause, relationship issues, family conflict, work-related stress, suicide ideation, attempted suicide and those affected by suicide. I also have experience working with neurodivergent individuals (with or without diagnoses) and individuals with physical or mental conditions.
I work with clients that are diagnosed or undiagnosed with an eating disorder, those in recovery and offer support to parents/carers and siblings living with a loved one that is struggling.
I am also interested in working with individuals navigating the perimenopausal and menopausal years, and individuals experiencing life transitions, such as beginning/navigating high school or university and/or significant life changes.
Alongside private practice, I work as an in-house counsellor for a local youth charity, supporting young people that are struggling with a variety of issues. I have previously worked as a Bereavement Counsellor, at a Worcestershire hospice.
I set up my practice, Time Out Counselling Services, to offer counselling sessions to adults and young people in the local and surrounding areas. My integrative training allows for an individualistic experience, which promotes growth, autonomy and empowerment.
Prior to qualification, I have worked with vulnerable and disadvantaged.families and in a previous working life, I have worked in a variety of commercial and financial roles before re-training.
Qualifications
- Post-Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders
- Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- Certificate in Counselling Young People
- Certificate in Remote Counselling
- Certificate in Group Facilitation
- NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Counselling
- BSc (Hons) Sociology 2:1
- Diploma in English Language Studies
CPD (continued professional development) and other training includes:
- Solution focussed therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Sleep cycles
- Safeguarding
- Single session/brief therapy and the benefits within counselling.
I am a registered member of BACP and undertake monthly supervision in accordance with the Ethical Framework. I am also an Accredited Member of NCPS (previously NCS - National Counselling Society).
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.
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.
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
Areas of counselling experience not listed above include:
Pet bereavement. Loss of identity and/or purpose or direction.
Exam-related stress. Compassion Fatigue and burn-out.
Vicarious trauma. Imposter syndrome.
Emetophobia.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free, no-obligation, 30-minute initial contact session.
This can be in-person or via telephone/Zoom.
£50 fee per session for all formats with a 60-minute (full hour) duration.
I offer a reduced rate for clients under 18 yrs of age, university students and trainee/student counsellors. Please contact me for details.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
The counselling room is accessible as it is a ground floor outside space. However, there is a gravel driveway and path to negotiate along with a small step into the room. Please contact me to discuss accessibility needs, as I aim to accommodate and include all clients.