​​About Me​

 

I am an Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with over 20 years’ experience working in therapeutic communities, private practice, and specialist services alongside a wealth of mental and physical health professionals. I work with adults and young people, offering a safe, supportive, and relational approach to counselling and psychotherapy. I began my career working in criminal justice and substance misuse services before moving into youth services and, later, establishing my private counselling practice. Over the years, I have worked with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and complex mental health needs. Outside of my work, I value time spent outdoors in wide open spaces. Walking my dog, running, connecting with nature and relationships are important to me and strongly influence my therapeutic approach.

 

My Approach

I trained as an Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor because I believe that no single approach suits everyone. Each client brings their own story, experiences, and needs, and integrative therapy allows the work to be tailored accordingly.My integrative approach draws on:Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theoryCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Transactional AnalysisHumanistic approaches, including Gestalt and person-centred therapyThis flexibility enables us to work at a pace that feels right and to respond to whatever emerges during the therapeutic process.​I believe that the therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful and lasting change. I work collaboratively with clients, offering an empathic, non-judgemental, and secure space. Where appropriate, we may explore past experiences and patterns while also focusing on the present and future.Through trust, empathy, and consistency, therapy can become a secure base from which clients feel supported to reflect, process, and move forward.Alongside psychotherapeutic counselling, I have experience in motivational interviewing, CBT interventions, creative therapies, group work, and facilitating mindfulness groups. Skills that are now integrated into my therapeutic work as a way of supporting physical and emotional wellbeing.​Additional training has been guided by themes emerging within my work, and needs that present themselves in community. For this reason EMDR, Creative counselling, Nature-based therapy and Grief tending are valuable assets to the work I can provide.​