Welcome
Why counselling?
If you've arrived here and you're thinking of seeking counselling then you may be experiencing some difficulty or challenge with where you are in life at this present time. Or perhaps events and experiences of the past are being inexplicably triggered in the present.
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My practice focuses on the client while working collaboratively and creatively in a safe and confidential environment; a place to be heard and gain understanding without judgement where desired change, clarity or discovering a different way forward can be explored.
Welcome
About Me
My practice began as a Counsellor for a national cancer charity within a major NHS Essex hospital; a role I held for over 7 years. This role included counselling outpatients and inpatients and their families, facilitating workshops and courses in Mindfulness for outpatients, facilitating staff training, supervising clinical nurse specialists, facilitating critical incident debriefs, and supporting front-line staff and inpatients through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside this, I have worked as a schools Counsellor and with a regional cancer charity. I also worked in local hospices over a 5 year period supporting bereaved adults and children, and have provided support for deaf and hearing adults with learning difficulties in the community.
Established in 2017, I now work solely from my private practice.
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Before training as a Counsellor, my work was in the public and private sectors working in community health, children's centres and working privately with parents and babies-to-pre-school children providing early years services over a 10 year period.
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Prior to this, I worked in a very different field; Engineering, in the Automotive, Petrochemical and Defense Industries which provided opportunity for travel across Europe.
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I work with others through issues around bereavement, loss, mental health, BPD/EUPD, self harming behaviours, depression, PND, anxiety, PTSD, work related stress, loss of purpose/goals and direction in life, sexual issues, sexual identity, trauma, physical/emotional and sexual abuse, childhood issues, relationships, cancer and life limiting illness.
Qualifications
Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
An extensive 5 year training modulated by the CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body)
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Child protection modules 1 & 2
attained through Barnardo's and the ESCB (Essex Safeguarding Children Board).
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Certificate in Walk & Talk therapy from Creative Counsellors endorsed by the CPCAB
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Relational Trauma Therapy training with Merete Holm Brantbjerg; body-oriented therapy using psychomotor skills training to help explore past trauma patterns and resource us in the present.
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Continual Professional Development training certificates in areas such as: Mindfulness, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Hoarding Disorders, Suicide, Abuse, Sexual Violence, Trauma, Dissociation, Attachment Theory, Vicarious Trauma, Erotic Transference, Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders, Drama Therapy, Loss and Bereavement, Transpersonal Psychology, working with the Inner Child, Working with Shame, Relationships, and Relational Trauma Therapy.
British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Being an Accredited and Registered Member of the BACP professional body means:
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I have attained sufficient qualification and experience to practice, and have further studied and undergone rigorous assessment and self-reflection to meet their higher standards as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner.
I work to their ethical framework and hold a Certificate of Proficiency.
I maintain Continual Professional Development.
I have regular supervision.
I hold full professional indemnity insurance.
I am open to their inspection and review. The BACP provide assurance for you as client should there be anything you are unhappy with.
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I am registered with the ico. (Information Commissioners Office) conforming to the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).
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An Integrative Approach
I trained as an Integrative Counsellor which essentially means integrating different theories, techniques and skills into my practice through in-depth training together with continued professional development and self-exploration. This enables me to welcome and view the client as a whole person tailoring the therapy to the client and not the client to the therapy.
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My integrative training had a Psychodynamic focus where the past can be explored to help provide clues on the present while building the therapeutic relationship. I have a keen interest in the Transpersonal which looks at the development of the individual beyond the personal; 'the journey of the soul towards wholeness'. I very much enjoy working with the Inner Child which can provide inner healing of childhood wounds and early trauma. I find the key elements of Person Centred Theory i.e. Unconditional Positive Regard, Empathy and Congruence, underpinning my work so believing in the individual's ability to work towards their full potential. Observing and exploring our roles within the family, past and present, can help understand current relationships and make sense of who we are.
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Where appropriate, I like to suggest the use of art, visualisation, working with images and objects, and working with the body to help provide insight and understanding into issues which may initially seem unclear.
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I believe building a trusting relationship and working creatively together can help provide understanding and insight, moving towards discovery of what it is that's needed at this time and of resources within one's self.
About Sessions
I offer face-to-face counselling both short and long term for adults.
There may be some occasions or arising circumstances where we may need to use alternative methods. We have the option of online sessions, telephone sessions, and walk and talk therapy.
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Counselling sessions are 1 hour and ideally take place weekly; this helps with consistency and continuity to help us build a full picture. We also have the space to negotiate a frequency that suits you. I consider short term work to be around 6 sessions when we would have opportunity to review and agree on a way forward as would be the case during longer term therapy which would suit more in-depth issues.
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Entering into counselling is an important decision so I feel it is vital for us both to feel that we can work together and for you to feel cared for, safe and supported to begin the work. This is something we can explore in the initial session and of course if you feel I am not what you are looking for then you are under no obligation to continue.
Fees
I charge £50 per 1-hour session.
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An initial session is £35 for 1 hour.
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On some occasions, I may be able to offer a reduced or lower cost fee, so please ask if this is an important consideration and we can talk about this.
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My student Counsellor concession rate is £45 per 1-hour session.
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I do ask for 24hrs notice of cancellation; anything less, then I reserve the right to charge the full session fee. It may be possible to reschedule, so please ask.
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It may be worth checking with your employer, if you work, as you may be entitled to financial support for counselling.
