About me
I have been working in a counselling environment for over 20 years. I began my therapeutic career working within a corporate business supporting work colleagues through difficult times as a first line support. I have gained experience working within the education, voluntary, and private sectors, as well as various settings such as schools, colleges, hospices, early intervention.
I currently run my own private practice and services for both Children & Young People (CYP), Adults & Affordable Counselling which offer highly skilled practitioners working both online and in-person.
During the global Covid-19 pandemic I helped establish a new nationwide service providing free and confidential emotional support within the UK to frontline workers/health care professionals.
I’m also an accredited Psychotherapist and work within ethical codes/frameworks for both National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS, formerly NCS) & British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Counselling Individuals (Adults)
As an adult the counselling approach I take will depend on the needs of client. Most people have times in their lives when they have difficulty coping and there are any number of good reasons why you might want to talk with a professional about your worries. It takes courage to talk to a therapist, but the rewards are usually worth the risk. Counselling can give you space and time to help you explore your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes having a confidential space to do this with someone who is independent of your situation is all you need.
Although different methods may be used within the therapeutic relationship the aim of counselling is ultimately to help the client manage their emotions and feelings and to be able to express them in a healthier way, to develop a positive attitude to life, and to be able to recognise and to use their strengths. Promoting growth within individuals is at the forefront of the work I carry out.
Counselling Individuals (CYP)
I specialise in working with young people and hold a post qualification Certificate in Counselling Young People. Working with youngsters from the age of 10 years, requires skills that aid the young clients ability to build their self-esteem, increase their abilities to cope with any anxieties, manage any bullying and peer pressure (to name but a few).
I have a wealth of experience dealing with Young People who may be having suicidal thoughts or may be undertaking some sort of self-harm. I have previously run anger management workshops and use this knowledge to inform work on a one to one basis.
This special interest of working with teenagers and young adults uses different approaches than I perhaps would with adults. Often it can be creative to encourage the client to engage in the counselling process and to be able to express their feelings and worries. Creative methods, which use play, art and crafts can also help give an insight into the unconscious mind of the client. Some older children may prefer to talk to their therapist in a similar way to an adult client or they may want a mixture of talking and using creative methods.
I work flexibly in order to ensure all work is carried out in a way that best suits the client. It does not involve making decisions for the client nor giving advice or imposing beliefs on them.
I have the privilege of being on an CYPT accredited register which proves competency and standard of training when working with CYP clients.
Clients I work with
Long Term, Short Term, Individuals (adults and young people from 10 years), EAP, Health Providers, Trainees/Students.
How I deliver therapy
Via Video Technology (such as Zoom/WhatsApp), Walk & Talk (after the therapeutic relationship has been established) and In-Person.
Therapy approaches
Humanistic, Person-Centred, Integrative, Psychodynamic, Young Person, Creative, and Trainees/Students.
Published articles
I have had several articles published, including an article on Social Media and Mental Health and another on Play Therapy and Mental Health.
What I can help with
There are various issues I have encountered throughout my career such as; relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma, bullying, low self-esteem, abuse, self-harm, bereavement and loss.
I am open to working with any issues you may bring. Examples of some issues you may like to seek help with:
- Eating disorders
- Obsessions
- OCD
- Phobias
- Abuse
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Depression
- Loss
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Trauma
- Personal development
- Neurodiversity
- Cancer
- Disability
- Health related issues
- Cultural issues
- Self esteem
- Sexual identity
- Sexuality
- Child related issues
- Infertility
- Pregnancy related issues
- Relationships
- Anger management
- Redundancy
- Stress
- Work related issues
Ethical practice
I am a member of NCPS, BACP and I follow their ethical framework’s/codes, which is concerned with my professional conduct and your wellbeing.
- MBACP - Member of British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (BACP)
- PNCPS - Professional Accredited Member of National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Registrant of National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) Accredited Register for working with Children & Young People
- Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) on update service – for working with Adult and CYP workforce.
I am registered with accredited registers for working with Children & Young People (CYPT) and Adults. All registers are monitored by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and proves proficiency in these areas of Counselling.
Qualifications/CPD
- Certificate in Counselling Skills - Level 2
- Diploma in Youth Counselling - Level 3
- CPCAB Diploma of Therapeutic Counselling – Level 4
- Anger, Rage & Relationships CPD
- Licensed to deliver CRUSH training CPD
- Mindfulness Workshop CPD
- EMDR Overview CPD
- Brief Therapy (Gestalt) CPD
- Mental Health, Presentation, Medication & Counselling CPD
- PODS – Trauma & The Body: Somatisation & Dissociation CPD
- StopSO – Crossing the Line CPD
- Counselling Young People Certificate
- The Web of Shame in the Therapeutic Space CPD
- GDPR & the Impact on Therapeutic Practice CPD
- Metaphor & Creative Therapy CPD
- Cognitive & Behavioural Therapy Evolution CPD
- Lets talk about sex! CPD
- Loss & Grief CPD
- Advanced Diploma in Counselling Supervision - Level 7
- Working with bereavement and complex grief CPD
- Disclosure, Safeguarding & Pre-Trial Therapy CPD
- Moving Your Practice Online - Covid19 Telehealth Kate Anthony CPD
- The Body Keeps the Score (Bessell van de Kolk) - Trauma & Body Based Approach CPD
- BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®) Level 1 Registered Practitioner
- Treating Intrusive Thoughts CPD
- Sex after Sexual Trauma CPD
- Polyvagal Theory CPD
- Tavistock – Trauma & COVID training CPD
- Trauma 1: Safe & Effective Trauma Therapy Essentials CPD
- Trauma 2: how to achieve Safety & Stabilisation CPD
- Trauma 3: Dissociation & Complex PTSD CPD
- Trauma 4: Working with Trauma - Vicarious Trauma, Burnout & Compassion Fatigue CPD
- Treating Intrusive Thoughts & the Inner Critical Voice CPD
- New Pre Trial Therapy Guidance CPD
- Understanding SCoPEd CPD
- BACP CYP Conference
- Adult Attachment & Relationship: what it means for therapy CPD
- Working Psychotherapeutically with Eating Disorders CPD
- The Absent Father: The Unacknowledged Wound CPD
- NCPS CYP Conference
Counselling Supervision (for Practitioners)
Counselling is a very demanding profession, practicing as a counsellor can drain your inner resources, consume your energies and raise questions that you need to explore. I offer counselling supervision to counsellors, psychotherapists and other helping professionals, such as social workers, pastoral/support workers, Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) and community workers.
I work with young people myself and so therefore, offer supervision & experience for those therapists working with this client group. In addition, I have extensive experience of working both in private practice and in counselling organisations both as a counsellor and as a manager of a counselling service.
Overall, I believe supervision should be a stimulating, motivational process in which challenge and reflection are very much a part. My aim as a supervisor is to promote the competence and creativity of my supervisee in a non-judgmental way, to enable the supervisee to grow and develop into the most effective therapist they can be, to enable them to work skilfully and ethically with their clients and importantly to develop their own therapeutic style.
Similar to therapy, supervision is a contracted, professional relationship. As a supervisor, I see my primary goal being to improve the quality of the work that my supervisee is undertaking with their clients. Quality supervision should provide a safe pace for the therapist to step back and look at the therapeutic relationship between them and their client. For this to happen, I believe there needs to be solid supervisory relationship where the therapist feels supported, safe and is able to take risks.
I understand the complexities and differences of counselling practice in both areas from the different perspectives of counsellor and service manager.
