Background

I have not always been a counsellor. I initially trained as a teacher, working for many years in both secondary and primary schools in the UK and overseas, holding roles within pastoral teams alongside my teaching responsibilities. I have worked within the charitable sector with disadvantaged children and young people and their families and more recently in training and supporting individuals, couples and families as they prepared for big life changes including working overseas. My diverse experiences have highlighted the need for connection with ourselves and with others in order to thrive. In times of difficulty and change these connections, when we need them most, can become stressed and strained and we can find ourselves feeling unable to cope and isolated from ourselves and others. It is this lived experience, and an understanding to 'go gently' that enables me to come alongside those struggling with change, loss, uncertainty and the difficulties these can bring.

 

​​How might we work together?

As a therapeutic counsellor, I work in a Person-Centred way. This means that I believe you, the client, are the expert on yourself. As I listen to your story, I will work collaboratively with you, drawing on other theoretical approaches and interventions when appropriate to help you make sense of your story and find ways to move forward. My aim is that you will feel comfortable to explore whatever you wish at your own pace and in your own way. 

I offer short term and long term counselling depending on your needs. We will regularly review this as we work together.

I am an Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and hold a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling for Counselling Adults and Children and Young People. 

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What to expect

It can be daunting reaching out for help and attending counselling for the first time. For this reason, I offer a free 20 minute phone call/online chat so that you can ask any questions you would like and get a taste of how we might work together. If you decide to embark on counselling, our first session will be spent exploring what you want help with and what you would like to achieve in counselling. I will discuss with you how I maintain confidentiality and how our sessions might be organised. Once we feel happy to proceed, we will then both sign and hold a copy of our working agreement.

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