About Me
I became a therapist after a somewhat diverse and interesting career path. I firmly believe that the experiences that I have had were all necessary, if not apparent at the time, in supporting me in the role that I now have. My own personal journey through significant life changes eventually led me to develop my professional practice in which I continue to be inspired by the power of the therapeutic relationship and the personal achievements and growth that often transpire. I think my own experiences enable me to recognise the courage that is often drawn upon in approaching therapy as a first step in offering yourself an opportunity for change.......an achievement in itself.
Professional Qualifications and Membership
I am a highly qualified therapist:
Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy - MBACP (Accred)
Member of Accredited Voluntary Register - BACP
Certificate of Proficiency - BACP
Enhanced DBS Certificate
Post Graduate Certificate in Person-Centred Supervision
BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
NCFE Level 3 in Counselling Skills and Theory
NCFE Level 2 in Counselling Skills
BSc Psychology
The above BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) accreditation and professional registration means that my practice is deemed to meet the standard of competent, ethical and independent practitioners according to the Code of Practice and Ethical Framework.
Experience
I have developed a wide range of experience during my professional career including agency work in an adult counselling service, a charitable organisation providing counselling to 11-25 year olds and in a college. I currently work full time in my own private practice in Winchester, serving Southampton, Eastleigh, Romsey and the surrounding areas. I am employed with a number of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) including the Police Firearms Officers Association (PFOA), One Savings Bank and Medicess.
Clinical Supervision
I also offer clinical supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists as well as other professionals including NHS staff, social workers, teachers, coaches and legal professionals. I supervise all levels of counselling and therapeutic work, as well as offering therapy to other counsellors and psychotherapists. I am as invested in counsellor self-development as I am in that of my clients.
Continued Professional Development
I regularly participate in further training and professional development and this is some of the extended training that I have undertaken:
- Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse
- Personality Adaptations and Disorders
- Mental Health and the Developing Mind
- Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Attachment Relationships and Treatment
- Child Protection issues
- Addiction
- Loss and bereavement
Areas of counselling I deal with:
Abortion
Abuse
Addiction
ADHD
Affairs and betrayals
Alcoholism
Anger management
Anorexia nervosa
Anxiety
Asperger's syndrome
Attachment disorder
Bereavement
Binge-eating disorder
Bipolar disorder/Manic depression
Bulimia nervosa
Bullying
Cancer
Career
Carer support
Child related issues
Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME
Dementia
Depression
Disabilities
Dissociation
Domestic violence
Drug abuse
Eating disorders
Emotional abuse
Family issues
Gambling
Generalised anxiety disorder
HIV/AIDS
Infertility
Internet addiction
Learning difficulties
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
Miscarriage
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Panic disorder
Passive aggressive behaviour
Personality disorders
Phobias
Physical abuse
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Postnatal depression
Pregnancy and birth
Redundancy
Relationship issues
Seasonal affective disorder
Self-harm
Separation and divorce
Sex addiction
Sex problems
Sexual abuse
Sexuality
Smoking
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma
Work related stress