About Me

 

Whether you are coming to me for Therapy, Coaching or Supervision, I fully understand it is important to find someone to work with who you can trust, feel safe and click with. I aim to be as transparent and straightforward as possible so that you can make an informed decision about whether working with me is right for you.  

 

  I will:

• Offer a grounded and compassionate approach to our work together

• Work with you in the spirit of empathy, care, kindness and trust

• Encourage collaboration & honest, open communication

• Work alongside you to reach your goals

• Work ethically and remain respectful of difference and diversity

 

  I won't:

• Offer a quick fix- change can take time!

• Provide advice, solutions or tell you what to do

• Offer diagnosis for mental health conditions

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​After over 20 years working with children, young people and adults across the charity, NHS, Public, Education and Private sector I have developed in an in depth understanding of shared challenges and barriers that we all face as human beings. I grew up in an era where talking about mental health and our inner emotional experiences was still taboo, so I wanted to pursue a meaningful vocation where I could challenge outdated societal narratives.

 

I entered the Helping Professions in my mid 20s and built over two decades of experience working directly with people and communities via youth and community work, counselling, sexual health, mental health, drug and alcohol support, education settings and domestic and sexual abuse/ violence services. I also progressed into supervisory, managerial and senior leadership positions, supporting local, regional and national teams.

 

I built a vocation that I enjoyed and thrived in, where I could be active in making a difference.  However,  even with experience, boundaries and self-care in place, I began to experience the psychological and physiological impact of stress. For a long time, I tried to 'push through' even though my body and mind was telling me to stop! Eventually, after experiencing cycles of burnout and chronic illness, I recognised that work was needed to untangle myself from patterns and coping mechanisms which no longer served. 

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You can't pour from an empty cup

 

None of us are superhuman and we can all feel the pressure to be productive in every area of life, which can be the recipe for stress. For me, I realised that in order to sustain my physical and mental wellbeing, I needed to pay extra care and attention to protecting my energy, learn to rest, slow down and listen to my body more. I also needed to ask for help and work on creating more self compassion and care. All the things that I found SO hard to do (and still do at times!) as it went against my natural energetic drive for life. However, sometimes digging deeper, stepping back and taking smaller steps can be a be liberating experience.

 

'My biggest wish is to support you to find your own way to health, however that looks'

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I have shared some lived experience so that you know a little more about me on a human level and why I am deeply passionate about the work I do. You may resonate with some of this but that doesn't make me an expert on your individual experience. My primary aim is to work alongside you to find your own unique way through.

 

​I work as a Therapist, Coach and Supervisor both short and long term- face to face and online, predominantly with people aged 18+  However as I have extensive professional experience and background in working in young people's mental health, if you are a parent/carer visiting today, please do ask me about this. 

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Working within difference and diversity

 

I recognise the personal, cultural and structural barriers that oppression creates, particularly when they hold people back from seeking mental health support. I know that this involves having difficult uncomfortable conversations and a willingness to question and confront the impact of my own power and privilege, particularly as a therapist in private practice. I strive to take accountability to reflect upon what characteristics I may bring or represent in the therapeutic space and aim to deepen my understanding of how my role as a therapeutic professional sits within the power structures that exist in society.

 

I aim to ensure that I continue to learn and work in an ethical, intersectional and anti-oppressive way and offer LGBTQIA+ allied, Neurodiversity affirming and Culturally responsive therapy.

 

Qualifications

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I take part in regular CPD to ensure that my learning journey is continuous. I  engage with regular therapy & coaching and hold appropriate indemnity insurance and an Enhanced DBS certificate. I work with the BACP code of ethics and my work is supervised by a suitably qualified professional.

 

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill College)

Diploma in Supervision (Advanced training status with NCPS)

ACC in Coaching (ICF Accredited) (Optimus Coaching Academy)

Certificate in Counselling (University of the West of England)

PG (Dip) Youth and Community work (The University of St Mark and St John)

BA (Hons) Drama and Education studies (The University of St Mark and St John)

 

Walk and Talk Therapy (Creative Counsellors)

Body Psychotherapy for Therapists (Tim Brown)

Mindfulness Teacher Training for Fatigue (Fiona Mckechnie)

Transitioning to Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Neurodiversity in Coaching (Animas Coach Academy)

Professional Certificate in Transpersonal Therapy (Iron Mill College)

 

I have listed some of the key qualifications and hold further CPD qualifications so please do ask me about any of these​

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