About Me
Experience
My own experience of trauma, loss and suffering then healing through both talking therapy and EMDR helps me connect with a deeper understanding and empathy for my clients. This journey inspired me to become a therapist, a dream since my 20’s.
I have always, sensing and noticing how they have felt drawn to share their story with me. I drifted for many years not having the self-belief to follow my dream. instead I worked many different roles with people from all walks of life. During this time, I learnt how to be open and non-judgemental, to closely listen and sense what a person might be feeling. This led me to fully appreciate individuals and understand what makes a person who they are today.
I am empathic, grounded and human first. I’ll listen deeply and I’ll also gently poke at the bits you’re avoiding so we can sit with them and understand them. Therapy with me isn’t about ticking boxes – it’s about creating a space that allows you to be yourself ( awkwardness, tears, laughter & all) and know that you’ll be met with warmth, honesty and humanity. I am a compassionate and experienced listener who has sat with people through heartbreak, shame, anxiety, confusion, uncertainty, self harm and self doubt. I’ve encountered and successfully supported people with many of the difficulties which we experience in life.
I integrate into my practice somatic awareness which is about noticing, connecting with and the unfolding of information on a physical level. As well as providing us with a lot of insight, it can help us to release old patterns, stories and experiences which are causing us distress or confusion and support us to become more in step with our lives. Becoming physically connected and grounded also provides us with a huge amount of support, an ability to tune in and trust our ‘felt sense’ of the world and an increased sense of aliveness.
I am neuro-affirmative and have experience of working with client's and their specific needs.
I am a LGBTQ+ ally.
My counselling experience:
The Fountain Centre for Cancer, Royal Surrey Hospital
Kingston Women’s Centre
WEM’s SEN School for 7-18yrs
Reading University
I now run my own full-time private practice in Dorking and on-line.
Levels 1-3 Counselling Skills, NESCOT.
FdSc Degree Counselling, Greenwich University.
Couples Diploma, Counselling Academy.
Couples Therapy Intensive, Esther Perel.
Walk & Talk Therapy, Creative Counsellors.
EMDR Modules 1-3, EMDR Centre London & Advanced EMDR (NCIP Approved).
Attachment-Focused EMDR: A Step-By-Step Clinicians Guide to Healing Trauma, Anxiety, Grief and Loss (Online). Dr Laurel Parnall.
Applying Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice, Linda Cundy.
Working at Relational Depth in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mick Cooper.
Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification: EMDR, CBT, Somatic-Based Interventions to Move Clients from Surviving to Thriving, PESI.
The Unshaming Practitioner, David Bedrick.
Polyvagal Theory, IFS, ACT, DBT to Treat Trauma, Anxiety & Depression, PESI.
I am accredited by the BACP, fully insured by Holistic & Registered with the ICO.
It's important that I am the right therapist for you without worrying about the expense. So, please get in touch and arrange a free 15-minute phone/video call to get to introduce ourselves, briefly explain what is bringing you to therapy and answer any questions you may have to establish if we can ‘work’ together.
Cancellations
Sometimes cancellations happen. I aim to be as fair as possible and charge a full session fee only if the cancellation is made within 24 hours or the client does not attend their appointment.