My path to counselling

I haven’t always been a counsellor.
For 20 years, I worked in the retail sector, collaborating with suppliers and managing projects — and I still love a good spreadsheet!

After that, I spent over 7 years in the NHS, most recently within a rehabilitation team for patients recovering from a stroke. Being alongside patients and their families at such a vulnerable, life-changing time was a privilege. It showed me just how powerful it is to be truly heard.

While working with stroke patients, I trained for 4 years as a counsellor. I found I loved supporting clients as they explored solutions, discovered new perspectives, and began to feel less stuck — less tied to the past or fearful of the future.

Alongside my private practice, I teach counselling at diploma level, helping to train and inspire the next generation of therapists.

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Why Creativity Matters in My Work

As part of my own training, I experienced counselling myself. Working creatively during those sessions ‘unlocked’ so much for me — and I’ve carried that passion into my practice.
Creativity can be a powerful way to access feelings and insights that words alone can’t always reach.

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My Approach

I’m a professionally trained integrative counsellor and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), working within their ethical framework.

I offer counselling to individuals aged 16+ from all backgrounds, and I’m sensitive to cultural and ethnic origins, religious beliefs, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

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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”
• “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”

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Experience

I run my own private counselling practice and have also worked with survivors of rape and sexual violence through Trust House in Reading and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Slough. I provided counselling support in these settings for over three years.

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Qualifications

• Diploma in Therapeutic Use of Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA)
• 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)

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Further training