Qualifications

Diploma in Higher Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy, MScR in Counselling

Therapeutic Approach

Integrative, Person-centred

Membership body

BACP

Years practicing

6 years

Issues worked with

Attachment issues, Bereavement, Drugs, Abuse (unspecified), Physical abuse, Spirituality/Religion, Loneliness, Stress, ADHD/ADD, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Family issues/relationships, Addiction, Anxiety (Worries, Fears, Panic), Bullying, Depression, Anger, Parenting, Grief/Loss, PTSD, Phobias, Confidence/Self-esteem, OCD, Trauma, Health anxiety, Sexual abuse, Physical health, Personality disorders, Alcohol, Work-related issues, Complex Grief, Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Academic Stress, Adjustment/Changes, Burnout/Fatigue, Divorce, Emotional Expression, Illness in the family, Low/Depressed Mood, Marriage, Parental Alcohol/Drug Problems, Perfectionism, Post-Natal Depression (PND), Public Speaking/Performance Anxiety, Relationships with Academic Staff, University Pressures (non-academic).

Special interest areas

For many people life can be challenging and often a struggle to get through the day. It can be one specific event or experience, or perhaps difficulties that you've been living with for a long time. Therefore, it's important to have a safe space to talk and be heard – and that’s why I’m here. I work predominately with adults and couples. I have experience in bereavement and grief counselling, couple counselling as well as perinatal care. I spent several years working in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic as a therapist, so I'm aware of that addictive personality and how problematic it can be to give something up, especially that which you've been dependent on. I have been a tutor at one of the top universities in the countries and I am presently an external examiner on a Masters’ programme in counselling. I'm therefore conscious of the many myriad problems which students face. I am also actively involved working with people who have a Church connection but feel out of synch with their institution or with their belief system. I offer a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental time where you can explore what's troubling you — whether you want to talk, sit in silence for a period, use art, a written narrative, or other mediums to express yourself. I'll listen and work with you so that I can understand your story. My approach can help clients find ways to cope in the short term, while also tackling the root causes of their difficulties, empowering them to deal with what lies ahead. .

Personal Statement

I am a warm and trusting individual who knows something about the trepidation of the counselling room, having been a client several years ago. I am a good listener who is trained in the person-centred approach, which in a nutshell means I will offer you a genuine, confidential, non-judgemental therapeutic relationship. I believe that you have the answers to your problems but might appear stuck and need some help to move forward. I will be curious but not pushy. I will have questions but equally I'm very comfortable sitting in that reflective silence allowing you time to gather thoughts. I am happy to offer you some psychological understanding from well-established models so that your 'stuff' might make more sense. I am patient because counselling is not a marathon in which we need to reach the finishing line in a given time. We work at a pace which suits you.