Experience and Approach:
I have extensive experience working in mental health, both within charities and statutory services. I began my career working in complex needs homelessness before moving into addiction services within the NHS. As a result of this I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse range of clients and presenting issues. I have successfully worked with people who are depressed and anxious, struggling with drugs or alcohol, dealing with personality or interpersonal issues, facing histories of complex trauma including sexual abuse, domestic abuse, chronic health needs, bereavement, homelessness and forced migration.
I specialise in all areas of drug and alcohol addiction including the impact on family members and children. Addiction is often a chronic and enduring struggle for all those involved with particularly hidden risks for children. I therefore offer specific support around parenting and family dynamics. I have supported many families to reduce risk, build on existing strengths and have new skills to dramatically increase family functioning and well being. My other specialties include working with domestic abuse and trauma.
This variety of experience informs my practice as a therapist and my belief in the importance of a trusting relationship as a foundation for the work. Therapy can be a daunting and difficult endeavour, therefore it is key to find the right therapist for you. I aim to create a warm, open space where we can confront difficulties and discomfort together.
As an Integrative counsellor I draw on a number of approaches within my work. Sometimes theory can be helpful to understand our experiences, some may resonate and some may not. It is my experience that an integrative stance enables a flexibility to tailor the work to your needs. Approaches I hold in mind include: psychodynamic, existential, relational and humanistic. I am also influenced by attachment theory and elements of body psychotherapy. For those interested please find a brief summary of these approaches below.
I hold a BSc in Psychology, a post graduate diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA in Psychotherapy at the Minster Centre. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP), Psychotherapists & Counsellors for Social Responsibility (PCSR), Association for counselling and therapy online (ACTO) and fully accredited memberUK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
I have extensive experience working in mental health, both within charities and statutory services. I began my career working in complex needs homelessness before moving into addiction services within the NHS. As a result of this I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse range of clients and presenting issues. I have successfully worked with people who are depressed and anxious, struggling with drugs or alcohol, dealing with personality or interpersonal issues, facing histories of complex trauma including sexual abuse, domestic abuse, chronic health needs, bereavement, homelessness and forced migration.
I specialise in all areas of drug and alcohol addiction including the impact on family members and children. Addiction is often a chronic and enduring struggle for all those involved with particularly hidden risks for children. I therefore offer specific support around parenting and family dynamics. I have supported many families to reduce risk, build on existing strengths and have new skills to dramatically increase family functioning and well being. My other specialties include working with domestic abuse and trauma.
This variety of experience informs my practice as a therapist and my belief in the importance of a trusting relationship as a foundation for the work. Therapy can be a daunting and difficult endeavour, therefore it is key to find the right therapist for you. I aim to create a warm, open space where we can confront difficulties and discomfort together.
As an Integrative counsellor I draw on a number of approaches within my work. Sometimes theory can be helpful to understand our experiences, some may resonate and some may not. It is my experience that an integrative stance enables a flexibility to tailor the work to your needs. Approaches I hold in mind include: psychodynamic, existential, relational and humanistic. I am also influenced by attachment theory and elements of body psychotherapy. For those interested please find a brief summary of these approaches below.
I hold a BSc in Psychology, a post graduate diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA in Psychotherapy at the Minster Centre. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP), Psychotherapists & Counsellors for Social Responsibility (PCSR), Association for counselling and therapy online (ACTO) and fully accredited memberUK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Brief explanation of approaches:
Psychodynamic: This means we will spend some time thinking about your childhood and how your experience influenced your development and your life today.
Existential: I hold in mind the broader philosophical ideas of what it means to be human and our fundamental being in the world.
Humanistic: This approach emphasises the importance in development and discovery of your authentic self.
Relational: This means I see the therapeutic relationship as being the primary site of the growth and healing you are coming to therapy for. This includes direct exploration/comments on the relationship between us and how this may relate to patterns outside of the therapeutic space.
Person-centred: Essentially you are the authority on your experience and expert of your own life. This involves working in the spirit of collaboration and curiosity to explore your experiences together.
Attachment theory: We will consider your relationship(s) with your significant caregiver(s) and how that might be influencing your relationships in the present.
Body psychotherapy: We will include awareness of your body in the work, paying attention to sensations and how this relates to your emotions.
Psychodynamic: This means we will spend some time thinking about your childhood and how your experience influenced your development and your life today.
Existential: I hold in mind the broader philosophical ideas of what it means to be human and our fundamental being in the world.
Humanistic: This approach emphasises the importance in development and discovery of your authentic self.
Relational: This means I see the therapeutic relationship as being the primary site of the growth and healing you are coming to therapy for. This includes direct exploration/comments on the relationship between us and how this may relate to patterns outside of the therapeutic space.
Person-centred: Essentially you are the authority on your experience and expert of your own life. This involves working in the spirit of collaboration and curiosity to explore your experiences together.
Attachment theory: We will consider your relationship(s) with your significant caregiver(s) and how that might be influencing your relationships in the present.
Body psychotherapy: We will include awareness of your body in the work, paying attention to sensations and how this relates to your emotions.