About me
All therapists work differently. This is the way that I work:
After you have made contact, we can arrange an introductory session. This is the chance for us to discuss your issues and background. It allows us to get to know each other a little. The session lasts for fifty minutes, takes place at my house, and is free of charge. At its end, we will have a good idea as to whether we might work well together. I believe that it is important to meet personally, before deciding whether to begin therapeutic work.
Your are lonely, anxious, depressed. You have experienced trauma, (perhaps in childhood). Life seems meaningless. Your relationships are difficult, unrewarding. You are addicted to a particular substance or activity. Or, you may not be able to name your issue; you just know that something is wrong.
My job will be to listen carefully to what you are telling me. It will also be to hear what you are not saying. Suppressing what is most painful, or inconvenient to our self image, is a part of our development as human beings. We all suppress - and experience repression - to some degree.
Understanding, and making explicit, what you are saying and not saying will be at the heart of our work. This work is hard and it takes time. Typically, I work with clients for six months or more. Over the course of our work, I will get to know you better. Your self-knowledge will also increase.
More recently, I have successfully undertaken brief interventions.
Specialisms: addictions, trauma, loneliness, unresolved childhood issues, and a sense that life - under present conditions - is meaningless.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold accredited diplomas in Counselling (distinction) and Hypnotherapy (distinction). I am a member of the NCPS. I also have a BA in Philosophy from the University of Essex and MA in Creative writing from the University of Manchester.
The longer-term work I undertake is psychodynamic psychotherapy.
I am committed to continuous professional development and improving my understanding of human problems. Recent training topics include: "Freud and Pandemics", "Existential Therapy" and Gabor Mate on addictions. Further reading is integral to my work as a therapist: Teri Quatman, Irvin Yalom and Adam Phillips (psychoanalyst) are some contemporary writers I admire. Jon Kabat-Zinn's "Full Catastrophe Living: how to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation" is a potentially life-changing book.
I have run my own private practice in Chorlton, Manchester since 2012. Prior to qualifying as a therapist, I worked in mental health units, detox centres and rehabs.
I have considerable experience in the field of addiction.
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
Addiction to technology, and the problems accompanying this addiction, is another specialism.
Hypnotherapy can be employed over a short period - typically between two and six sessions - for behavioral issues, such as smoking or eating unhealthily. Hypnotherapy can also be used, in conjunction with psychotherapy/counselling, over longer periods.
Therapies offered
Fees
£30.00 - £60.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
50 minute initial consultation @ free of charge.
1 hour session @ £60
1 hour concession, for those on low wages @ £30
I also have two pro bono slots. These are for those in need of therapy, with no means of paying for this service. If this applies to you, please contact me and I will let you know current availability.
When I work
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I work throughout the day and into the evening, until around 8 pm. I do not work weekends.
Further information
I am a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist: intra-life regression; relaxation hypnosis; phobias; negative habits (such as smoking).
