A Little More About Me:
Qualifications:
BSc. (Hons) Psychology (evidence-based perspective)
Diploma Therapeutic Counselling
Diploma Hypnosis & Psychotherapy
Diploma British Wheel of Yoga Teacher
Certificate Integrated Sex & Relationship Coach
Certificate Vita Method Coach
Certificate Specialist Women’s Coach
Certificate Specialist Men’s Coach
Certificate Holistic Dance/Movement Healing Facilitator
Experience:
I set up my private practice in 2000 and since then have worked with a very broad range of issues, some of which are listed on the ‘Is Counselling For Me?’ page.
Over a period of 10 years I acted as supervisor to counsellors in training alongside working with clients privately.
Throughout my 20+ years in practice there has never been a time when I have not been undertaking further professional and personal development – It’s my passion and my life’s work.
On a personal note, I am a nature and animal lover, and enjoy walking, yoga, and running.
Professional Membership:
As a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) I work in accord with their Framework for Ethical Practice.
Approach and what I can offer:
I work in a warm, honest and genuine way with adult individuals from all walks of life, adapting the way I work to meet your particular needs, concerns and stage of life. The work may be short, medium or long term, according to need.
My commitment is to offer safe, effective counselling and psychotherapy in an understanding, calm and constructive environment. My work aims to uncover the causes of your current concerns, to find new ways forward, to support you and promote self-awareness, empowerment, and lasting change.
Research over recent years demonstrates that for persistent issues or trauma, it is essential to work not only with mind and emotions as in classical psychotherapy and counselling, (“talk therapy”), but also with the physical body because persistent issues, emotions, and trauma are imprinted into the nervous system. My work is especially effective as I am able to integrate the body into the process of ‘talk therapy’ through various approaches that safely address the issues, old emotions, fear, or trauma, but do not require physical touch.
Additional ways I can support you:
The following are either areas of specialist expertise, or approaches that can be integrated into counselling and psychotherapy along the way.
With training and experience in working with trauma, I integrate specific, effective, and safe body-based techniques into your talk therapy/counselling sessions.
I offer individual coaching tailored specifically for either men or women in the areas of relationships, dating, communication, intimacy, and empowerment. I also offer couples counselling.
My yoga teacher training means I am able to equip those who are interested with effective, simple tools to manage stress, burn-out, or anxiety – without having to take up yoga, and I can also teach several forms of meditation. Meditation is very simple and does not require you to take on a belief system. Regular meditation can develop self awareness, clarity and the ability to respond rather than react. Some studies show that it has beneficial effects on brain health. However, because meditation is powerful it can also cause problems (or exacerbate existing ones), so it’s important to understand which approach is right for you as there are many.
Where appropriate, I am able to incorporate Breathwork as a powerful tool within psychotherapy or counselling. This is not a yoga or relaxation practice but a safe yet powerful way to release ‘blockages’ or stuckness because it goes deeper than the thinking mind and accesses the primal brain and nervous system. It is a contemporary cutting edge tool in trauma and addiction recovery but is also great for releasing creative blocks.
Having spent 3 years training in the therapeutic application of hypnosis I can apply these skills, where appropriate, to help with stress management, coaching and goal setting, burn out, and deep relaxation.
I offer a beautiful holistic dance/movement practice which is a form of moving meditation and can be powerfully therapeutic as well as bringing personal insight. If you can move (even seated) you can do it – no sense of rhythm or ability to dance required and you can enjoy it online in the comfort of your own home (camera off if you’re self-conscious!)
I have completed OCTIA training in on-line and phone counselling.
All the above services are available in-person and online.
For Confidential, Supportive, Non-judgemental and Effective Counselling please call 0794 700 5629 or email via the Contact Page