About Me

I think it takes courage to reach a place where you admit to needing some help. I often find it helps clients to know that I am not in their social circle so everything they disclose and work through is not going to reach family and friends. I offer a safe, empathic, supportive space where you can talk things through without being judged and be listened to with understanding and compassion.

Life has many stresses and you may find that how you have coped in the past doesn’t seem to be working as well as it did which can be distressing or even overwhelming. I find that for many clients as they begin to give themselves time to talk through a particular issue they find life begins to feel less daunting and it can give them greater self awareness.

INSIGHTS & OBSERVATIONS

How I work

I will work with you by offering insights and observations which may help you to gain better awareness of how you manage life and when appropriate I may challenge a particular thought or belief. I may use some creative interventions to enable you to think through a particular issue e.g. life graphs. I will work with you in looking at tools that may help you once you have finished counselling and I will also offer some psycho-education when I think a particular theory may aid insight and understanding.

about bringing counselling

Getting started with me

If you would like to contact me please do so using the email or mobile number provided. I can appreciate it is a little overwhelming to know who to choose and to ease any apprehensive feelings I like to have an initial conversation on the phone to allow us to have a chat about what is bringing you to counselling and to give you an opportunity to ask me any questions in helping you to decide whether I am the right counsellor for you. It is a good time to check that I can offer what you are looking for.

If you feel comfortable to continue with me, I would then suggest we have an initial assessment via phone, online or face to face when we are able. The purpose of this is to obtain information about you which is needed for us to progress such as contact details, some background information and to talk through what your reasons for coming and what you would like to achieve by the end of the counselling. There will be a fee for this of £45.00.

If you are happy to proceed further after this session, I would then suggest we find a time that works for both of us. I like to have sessions with a client weekly as I believe this is the best timescale in working with any issue.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

I have been a counsellor for just under ten years, after working in a college as a learning support assistant I noticed how the students’ often chaotic and at times traumatic backgrounds hindered their education which led me into training to be a counsellor. I did my foundational courses at West Kent College, moving onto a college in South Norwood to do my Diploma in Integrative Counselling awarded by the CPCAB. I received my accreditation with the British Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (BACP) last year.

I found the way in which this course integrated the models of psychodynamic, person-centred and cognitive therapy helpful and insightful in understanding how we develop and relate to each other acknowledging that the past has an impact on our present and future. I believe that the relationship between the client and myself is key to the work of the therapy in building trust and safety.

Summary of qualifications & experience

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling

Accreditation with BACP and also on their register.

Level 4 in Integrative counselling award by the CPCAB (qualified in 2012)

Level 2 and 3 in counselling skills and theory award by NOCN

Worked with a counselling agency in Tunbridge Wells working with adults/children

Worked with Place2Be (2013) with children in a primary school in Hoo St.Werburg

3 Years working with the Bromley Community Counselling Service with adults

Additional training sessions around trauma, bereavement and loss, creative interventions, self harm, roles in families and belief structures.
Whilst I have had experience in working with children, I now only work with adults.