About Me
Why I am Qualified?
Experience and Training
I have a Degree in Counselling, a Foundation degree in Person-Centred Counselling and am also a qualified Mentor. I have worked in the NHS, within the Education sector and now in general private practice and so I feel I have a varied experience of the world and what it may offer.
As a full member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I adhere to their policies and guidelines around training and supervision. I ensure I have adequate training and current feedback to keep me up to date and safe for you.
My experience includes but is not restricted to: bereavement, loss, miscarriage, redundancy, health anxiety, menopause, women’s health, relationships, Autism, also; ADHD, anxiety, anger, depression and suicide.
Recently my training has included ADHD, particularly in women, inclusivity and equality in the counselling setting, menopausal health related issues and premenstrual related syndromes. Whilst I have knowledge of these issues, and personal experience, I am not an expert, but I am able to discuss, using counselling to aid us.
Although I am person-centred trained, I will use alternative methods to aid your progress through the counselling sessions should it be useful and safe for you; such as, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Mindfulness techniques amongst others.
The most important starting point is our relationship and the building of trust and openness. Whilst many of us may go through psychological life experiences within our lives, having someone there to support us can be the most meaningful thing, restoring our confidence in our self and realising there is nothing wrong in asking for help.
Having experienced counselling of different types personally (after all, how can I advocate its use and effectiveness without this), I understand what is needed and will use my empathy to understand what you need; because often you don't know when you arrive.
WHAT YOU DO KNOW IS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
Research Suggests:
'Our emotions are not always irrational even when we are experiencing anxiety or depression but are a natural response to past experiences: they may be a message we need to interpret rather than dismiss as negative and unwanted' Winterson 2011
'Belief in yourself can help you achieve what seem like impossible goals.' Positive Psychology
'The focus today is on decatastrophising the natural processes of anxiety rather than getting rid of the feelings. Removing unhelpful 'safety behaviours.' Sanders and Wills 2003
