About me
I offer one-to-one and couples counselling sessions.
I have worked successfully with male and female adult clients aged from 18 to 75, presenting with depression, anxiety, stress, loss, low confidence and self-esteem, eating disorders, trauma, anger, survivors of domestic abuse and childhood sexual abuse, and relationship issues.
With individuals, I work integratively, meaning I pull together techniques from various counselling modalities in a coherent fashion, with the person-centred approach of Carl Rogers being at the core of my practice. This requires that I put the client at the centre of all that I do: I absolutely believe that the client knows themselves far better than I do. I therefore don’t analyse or advise the client: rather I create a warm and safe environment in which the client can explore themselves and their issues, and I facilitate them coming to their own realisations and conclusions, at their own pace and depth. The client-counsellor relationship is everything in the work I do with my clients.
The model I use for couples work is based on Transactional Analysis. This theoretical framework uses the idea that two people communicate with each other from one of three ego states: Parent, Adult or Child. The ideal situation is an Adult-to-Adult transaction where both parties have their needs met. Problems occur when transactions take place between mixed ego states, or when the transactions are inconsistent with the ego state the two parties are in. This leaves one or other of the parties' with unmet needs and often results in 'game playing' to get those needs met. The role of the therapist is to observe what games are being played, to identify what unhelpful behaviours are being acted out to perpetuate the game-playing, and to model more helpful behaviours in order to break the destructive cycle which is preventing the relationship from working.
Whilst counselling is first and foremost a talking therapy, I like to work creatively, with whiteboard and flip charts, and props such as buttons and mood cards. I bring creative writing and guided readings into our practice for clients who prefer to express themselves in this way.
Like many counsellors, I have been on my own journey from a dark place to where I am today. Counselling was fundamental to my own recovery. It allowed me to discover the real me, to believe in myself and my own abilities, and to realise my full potential. I draw upon my own experience where it is appropriate to my clients. I help them rediscover the strengths and resources that they have, that we all have, and I help them create a future for themselves where they, too can shine.
Training, qualifications & experience
I qualified with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling from Coleg Gwent in 2018.
I studied Systemic Theory and Practice (family therapy) at the University of Bath (Foundation level) in 2019.
I was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of South Wales in 2021.
I have recently completed specialist training in Online and Telephone Work and Couples Counselling.
I received a CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision in 2022.
I have regularly attended training events in areas as diverse as Suicide Intervention, Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse, Eating Disorders, Creative Writing in the Therapeutic Encounter, Emotional Freedom Therapy, Mindfulness, and Chanting for Inner Peace.
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
I have previously worked as a volunteer counsellor with a cognitive assistance programme and a mental health charity.
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
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free initial consultation, either in person or on the phone, to see if we are happy to work together.
I offer 1 hour, one-to-one counselling sessions at £60/hour. Couples counselling is £90 for a 90 minute session.
Concessions may be available to those in receipt of benefits or otherwise experiencing financial difficulty. Please ask when making your initial appointment.
When I work
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I currently offer sessions in Risca or online on Fridays.
Further information
I offer counselling sessions online and at premises in Risca, nr Newport.
