My Qualifications

I have a Higher Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Richmond Upon Thames College), am qualified in Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and I hold a Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Supervision.  I have a Level 3 Open College Network qualification for working with Substance Misuse and their effects and am also a Group Facilitator.  Additionally, I hold a Level 2 in Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties Awareness.  My practice is trauma-informed and neuro-diversity informed. 

My experience is in working with addictions, young people, adults, families and complex mental health issues. I have continued my professional development by on-going training and experience in Bereavement Counselling for adults and children, Attachment and Loss and supporting those who have experienced trauma.

I'm an Accredited Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy – Registered Member No. 25629) and follow their Code of Ethical Practice.  Also, I hold a Certificate of Registration with the UKRCP as a Registered Independent Counsellor/Psychotherapist.  You can find me listed online on The Counselling Directory. 

My Approach

•   Change Oriented Counselling - My style of counselling combines integrative therapy with a practical approach to problems, so that you can make real and positive changes in your life and direction. It sees you as a whole person, with your feelings, actions and thoughts. It promotes self-awareness and healing through your personal experience of the present and from the past. The aim is for you to become self-resourced, become your own counsellor, yet able and willing to draw upon help from others, and also to give support without feeling obligated or exploited. 

•   Integrative Orientation - I combine a Person-Centred perspective with a Gestalt approach, Solution Focused and CBT techniques as well as Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Clarkson's Relational Model, EFT and Transactional Analysis. In brief, Person Centred Therapy is having positive respect for you as my client, to empathise and be supportive. Gestalt Therapy concentrates on personal wholeness and self-awareness (“be here now”) and on completion of unfinished business from the past. Solution Focused techniques work on your goals and the changes needed to achieve them. ISTDP helps you to directly experience buried feelings and impulses so you can bring about positive life changes. Sometimes, if it’s appropriate and relevant, we can also include existential and transpersonal themes, on life’s journey and its meaning, and on spiritual and holistic concerns.

I use guided visualisation for relaxation.