About Me

 

Whether you are coming to me for Counselling, 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!

• Offer advice, solutions, tell you what to do or judge you

• 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our inner emotional experiences was still taboo, so I wanted to pursue a meaningful vocation where I could challenge outdated societal narratives.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 don't hold the answers but you do.  With the right support, dedication and commitment to self, change is possible.

 

​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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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.

 

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

Diploma in Supervision (Advanced training status with NCPS)

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill College)

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 Chronic Fatigue and Pain (ongoing)

Transitioning to Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Neurodiversity in Coaching (Animas Coach Academy)

Professional Certificate in Transpersonal Therapy (Iron Mill College)

 

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