I haven’t always been a counsellor. I worked for 20 years in the retail sector where I enjoyed collaborating with suppliers to get great products. I still love a good old spreadsheet.
I worked for the NHS for over 7 years, most recently within a rehabilitation team for patients recovering from a stroke. Being with patients and their families at this challenging time in their lives was a privilege. I recognised that I valued being able to sit with people through life-changing events and how much being listened to helped them.
Whilst I was working with stroke patients I also trained for 4 years as a counsellor. I love working with clients to explore solutions, ways forward and helping them find a new sense of self and direction. After taking their first step they start to feel less stuck, less trapped by the past or fearful about the future.
All counsellors have to undergo their own counselling as part of their training and I found working creatively ‘unlocked’ so much for me. I have a passion for incorporating creativity in therapy; it can be very powerful and bring great awareness to clients.
I am a professionally-trained integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), working within their ethical framework.
I offer counselling to individuals from all backgrounds aged 16+.
I am sensitive to the cultural and ethnic origins of individuals and to people’s religious beliefs, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Feedback from clients
- “I feel so at ease talking to you & being able to open up to you in a safe place has been wonderful”
- “The work you do & the lovely, warm, caring & compassionate person that you are is a credit to your profession”
- “People like me are so fortunate to have your help. You have helped me more than I could ever hope to explain”
- “There are not enough words to express how thankful I am for your support these few months. Just that one hour (a week) made more of a difference than you’ll ever realise”
- “Thank you for making me feel so comfortable and for helping me each step of the way”
Experience
I work as a counsellor in private practice.
During my training, I have worked with survivors of rape and sexual violence at the charity Trust House in Reading. I worked with them for over 3 years providing counselling sessions there and at the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) in Slough.
Qualifications
- Certificate in Therapeutic Use of Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA)
- Introduction in Therapeutic Use of Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA)
- Diploma in the therapeutic and educational application of the arts (IATE, London)
- Certificate in online and telephone counselling (online)
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in therapeutic counselling (Farnborough College of Technology)
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in counselling skills (CPTA Reading)
- CPCAB level 2 Certificate in counselling skills (CPTA Reading)
- CPCAB Introduction to counselling skills (Farnborough College of Technology)
Further training
- Forgiveness model
- Attachment workshop
- Anxiety: A compassion-focused approach
- Shame in trauma
- Suicide and self-harm
- Phase-orientated trauma model
- Relational depth
- Working creatively with nesting dolls
- Using creative arts online
- Six part story
- Working with stories we hold significant
- Infant and pregnancy loss
- Working with men