About me

I grew up in South Devon on the edge of Dartmoor and I've always felt a sense of calm in the natural world. As an adult, I've lived all over the country and now find myself in the beautiful county of Essex with my husband and our dog.

I had a challenging childhood but never really understood how the trauma I experienced then was connected to my anxiety in adulthood until I entered counselling myself. So I have some understanding of how difficult it can be to accept that you need help and make that first contact with a counsellor.

Why am I a counsellor?

Because I want to help people find hope.

I have worked in a variety of roles from waitress to primary school teacher. Along the way I've met many people who believe that there is nothing they can do to change who they are, how they feel, or the situation they are in.

All of us at one time or another will go through times when things seem hopeless. Things that happened in the past, illness, bereavement, broken relationships can leave us with a sense that how we feel now, is how we will always feel.  I believe that a supportive counselling relationship can offer a safe, non judgemental space to explore those fears, look at those parts of our 'selves' that perhaps we have avoided and explore how to make changes.

Developing a therapeutic relationship together where you can be heard and understood, without being judged is at the heart of the work.

I work in a variety of different ways depending on your needs and what you find helpful; Gestalt, CBT, Transpersonal and Person Centred.   I have a particular interest in working with people affected by trauma helping them to understand how events from the past have can affect them in the now. I am a Christian and experienced in counselling clergy, ministers and other lay workers. Whether you describe yourself as religious or spiritual, it does not protect us from the hurdles that life can put in our way.

As we work together, we can look at different aspects of your self; mind, emotions, body and spirit. What parts of yourself do you feel disconnected from? How can you reconnect to that part of yourself in order to live with a greater sense of hope and well being?

I am a Accredited Professional Registrant (PNCPS Acc.) member of the National Counselling Society and work within their ethical framework.

Qualifications

Level 7 Diploma in Integrative Supervision of Individuals and Groups

Approved Reflective Supervisor by the Methodist Church

Accredited Professional Registrant (PNCPS Acc.)

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

BA (Hons) Open

Post Graduate Certificate in Education

MIND training in Understanding Self Harm

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Mental Health First Aid

Open University - How to do counselling online: a coronavirus primer' course

Counselling Tutor Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling