I am a trained counsellor for Adults, Couples, and Children and Young People. I also have a Post Graduate Diploma in Relational Trauma Practice and a Diploma in Advanced Relational Supervision Training through Severnside Talking Therapy.

I am am trained as an integrative therapist which means I draw from different approaches, like person centred, compassion focussed, relational, and this can be very effective in helping us to make positive changes in our lives.

I also use psychodynamic approach and this is useful when we look at the attachments we have made throughout our lives and finding our resilience that helps make us able to cope in difficult times.

I have experience and success of working in with people who are experiencing emotional pain and trauma. Trauma can be sudden or it can be caused because of lack of nurture or abuse. Whatever the reason, it is most helpful to talk this through rather than keep it locked away. I have extensive experience of working with adopters, adoptees, and children or adults who have been in the care system.

My own life experiences and personal journey has helped me to develop the insight and awareness which I believe are crucial in an effective counsellor. I consider myself to be  approachable and I understand how difficult it can be to face up to and deal with difficult areas of our lives, and talk about ourselves which can feel frightening or uncomfortable. I welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures, genders and sexual orientation and those who are exploring their identities.

I believe that it is only through being heard, being truly accepted, being valued, that positive and long term changes can happen. However, within this, understanding our inner parts who are busy at work trying to keep us well and safe, we can help to be more compassionate and have true understanding of ourselves in the context of different environments. Sometimes journaling, can be helpful in providing a practical aspect to our work together, especially if you are experiencing anxiety. I also use creative techniques at times depending on the need and the desire for this.

In couples work it is useful to have the space to talk as often the pressures on relationships is enormous. These strains can stop us from understanding what’s really going on. Taking the time to explore with couples, I use this space to develop new knowledge and understanding. This can help with compassion for ourselves and each other and build new way of thinking and being. It is often in this space that couples can appreciate their partner’s experience and this is crucial.