About Me

Starting or continuing therapy or clinical supervision relies on you finding someone that you think that you can work with to support you to where you want to get to.

Beyond the therapist title, I have lived a busy life where I have experienced a lot professionally and personally - some has been amazing and other parts have resulted in struggles that I have had to overcome. Every experience, (good or bad) has taught me something about myself to move forwards stronger.

My route to being a therapist

My route to becoming a counsellor was not a conventional one - There rarely is!

I worked in the Emergency Services in front line roles for just short of 10 years and I was good at what I did. I felt immense value in supporting people when chaos hit. The things I enjoyed most was making people laugh, being there for people and investigating the route of cause-effect. Unfortunately, the role adapted which limited my fulfilment and opportunities to do a good job for people became less.

Over time, (as is an occupational hazard for so many Emergency Service roles), I had accumulated some traumas that I hadn't processed properly. Realising that something needed to change, I left my job seeking change. When I had left I had space to breathe and I done the work on myself to heal what I had experienced. I deeply appreciated the role that my counsellor and counselling played for my growth beyond the trauma's. I realised what I missed professionally was also what I was good at, and the answer was sat directly opposite me - The therapists chair.

As such, I moved into roles where I could support people whilst training to be a counsellor. I have worked for a number of organisations including an addiction recovery charity, adolescent support clinic, grammar school & an in-house counselling provision for an Emergency Service. I am also a co-founder of a Community Interest Company that provides support to The Armed Forces community & the Emergency Services. I have held private practice since 2020 and do this alongside other counselling based roles.

As well as being a therapist, I have experience in a variety of roles including leadership across all three sectors focused on supporting people:

Addiction Recovery worker
IPED (Image & Performance Enhancing Drugs) Practitioner
Wellbeing adviser
Mental Health & Wellbeing Trainer
Team lead for a Counselling Service
Director of Operations for an Armed Forces Psychological Service

My Approach

I believe in seeing people as individuals and despite what I have learned about Counselling, Psychology and Neuroscience - I am not the expert of you. Therefore I treat you with the respect and space that you deserve. I will offer you unconditional positive regard and we will setup a therapeutic contract so that our professional relationship is appropriately managed from both sides.

I am integrative trained as a counsellor, which means that I am trained and qualified to adapt and apply a number of different therapeutic approaches based upon what you are looking for from the therapy. Therefore, your therapy process will not be the same as the next person.

I will provide a relaxed, friendly and safe setting to assist you in navigating the challenges that you bring.

If you haven't received therapy before, I must emphasise that it not like it is in TV dramas (or comedies!). It is my intention to engage with you and assist you to process your circumstances and enable you to grow beyond it. To do that, I will be real with you, kind, and entirely on your side. If I realise that you are stuck with certain behaviours, thoughts and actions that you share, I will call that out in a kind way to assist your growth.

I will be that person who is not a part of your life and will not have the emotional expectations upon you to be a certain way or make choices under pressure. It is my intention to be someone that you will find safe, respectful and supportive of your progress and choices.

Your therapeutic space will not always feel dark and you do not have to apologise for tears. At points it may feel light, include laughter and feel like a place that you can be the real you without judgement and expectation.

Professional, confidential support for you

I am Accredited by the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and EMDR UK & Europe.

Accreditation means that I have demonstrated high standards of training, ethical + skilled practice, and professional development. I have not received many gold stars in my life, but I am told that accreditation is a gold star of quality assurance so I'll take that! In doing this, it proves quality of care and safety for you.

With this, I am also:

Enhanced DBS clearance
Fully Insured to practice
Verified by Counselling Directory & Psychology Today.
ICO & HMRC Registered

For your peace of mind.