How I work

I offer one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy to help you with the problems or difficulties you are facing in your life. Counselling tends to deal with specific problems that may be ongoing, including anxiety, depression, loss and relationship issues. Psychotherapy is a longer-term process where we might work together for periods of between six months and up to a couple of years. It tends to be helpful for more deeply rooted difficulties or problems that you may have been experiencing for some time and which may be connected to earlier life events.

My work is based on a relational approach which considers current and past experiences, to help you to develop greater self-awareness and understanding, with the aim of improving your current situation and ways of coping or of improving your life and relationships. It will be important to build a close and trusting relationship between us, where you will feel able to explore your problems with out any fear of judgement. I offer a safe and confidential space, where we can focus on your difficulties, helping you to gain a clearer understanding of your situation and allowing you to begin to make changes in your life, with the aim of improving your sense of well-being.

Background and qualifications

My counselling experience is both in private practice and in the voluntary sector. I have worked with a wide range of issues including anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, and relationship issues. I also have considerable experience working with adults who have experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse during childhood and with adults who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic violence. In my work I use a trauma-informed approach to help clients to come to terms with any adverse childhood or adult experiences.

As a practicing therapist and a lecturer in psychology and counselling, I am committed to continuous professional development, attending research conferences and training in a range of areas including counselling practice, mental health, bullying and domestic violence.

I also engage with ongoing training, to keep up to date with current research and changes in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and to ensure best practice. These include, Safetalk, Mental Health First Aid and Child Protection Training. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and I work according to their Code of Ethics. I am also a graduate member of the British Psychological Society.

Qualifications

CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

CPCAB Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Studies

CPCAB Level 2 Diploma in Counselling Skills

BACP Certificate of Proficiency in Counselling.

MSc in Psychological Methods, The Open University

BSc Honors in Psychology, Queen's University Belfast.