ABOUT ME

I have undertaken seven years of training with the Northern Guild in psychotherapeutic counselling and psychotherapy.  In this time I have been practising for over six years and worked with a wide range of issues, with adults ranging from 18 to 76 years old, at various GP practises.  It has been an absolute privilege to have witnessed healing and transformative changes in all of my clients during this time.

 

My Approach

 

I understand that when seeking out a therapist it can be confusing, daunting, and overwhelming, especially when you are already in distress!  There are so many therapists to choose from who use different psychotherapeutic approaches.  In fact, there are over four hundred schools or modalities of psychotherapy.  So how then do you choose the right therapist for you? 

 

What I provide below is a basic explanation of the approaches I use.  Before I do it is worth noting that there is little evidence that any approach is more effective than another.  What is evident however, is that both the expertise of the therapist and the quality of the relationship between you and the therapist you choose is what ultimately determines the success of any therapy.

 

I am an Integrative, Humanistic, Relational and Holistic Therapist.

 

Integrative is seen as a more modern approach to therapy.  Its philosophical stance is that no single approach to therapy is suitable for every client, as each person is seen as unique and distinctive.  In other words, it recognises that a 'one size fits all' approach to therapy will not be effective.  This means that I adapt and integrate multiple modalities and techniques depending on your needs and goals. 

 

Humanistic is an approach that views human beings as unique individuals, and inherently relational, with the capacity for growth, self-awareness and to reach their full potential given the right support.  It is thought that our subjective experiences in relationship are what shape us into who we are, which is why this approach supports a more relational way of working.  It also puts emphasis on the autonomy of the individual through working in a collaborative way.  This approach also supports a more holistic and positive view of human nature. 

 

Relational means that I place the therapeutic relationship (the interaction between client and therapist) at the heart of my work, regardless of the issues you may bring.  Therapy is a relational and collaborative process in which the quality of the therapeutic relationship is what ultimately serves as the agent of change, allowing growth and learning.  Both in my own personal therapy and in my work with my clients I have witnessed how utterly transformative and healing a genuine, trusting, caring, and accepting relationship can be.  It creates a space perhaps for the first time where you can experience the intimacy of a safe and secure relationship, and where you can be free to explore aspects of your experience, along with previously unknown, hidden parts of you that have been exiled.  

 

Holistic means that I work with the whole of a person's being, that is the mind, body, heart, and spirit.  I will help you to develop awareness of the connections between your thoughts, physical experiences, emotions, and spiritual understandings, therefore supporting healing on all these levels. Holistic approaches may incorporate more non-traditional therapies such as guided imagery and mindfulness.

 

My core training is in Transactional Analysis which is a theory of personality and relationships which falls under the humanistic approach.  I use this as it helps both you and I to understand the way you experience the world, yourself, and those around you.  This is particularly useful to improve communication skills and relationships.

 

I am a highly creative individual, and having a degree in art and design helps me to design and utilize many creative methods, which can be incorporated into my practice where appropriate and desirable, such as mindfulness and meditation (Yoga Nidra), guided imagery, story-telling and metaphor, poetry, dreamwork, sand tray, drawing, collage and painting.  

I am also a focusing oriented therapist which further supports my creative way of working.  Focusing is a gentle yet powerful body-orientated process of self-awareness and emotional healing.  It helps individuals to sense inside and connect more deeply with themselves, and to be able to listen and connect in a new and more satisfying way with others.  Focusing works particularly well with trauma.  It helps people to explore their trauma in a way that feels gentle and safe, serving as a bridge between the body and mind, and in turn creating a unique connection that help individuals to process their trauma, fostering deep and transformative healing.  

 

All these approaches work together to help better suit the individual needs of each person, emphasising the collaborative nature of and importance of the therapy relationship.  This ensures that I work in a way that considers everything that is going on for you so that we can work together in a way that best supports your mental health and well-being and helps you to reach your goals.

My Background

 

My working life began with the NHS in a hospital setting.  I did many roles in different hospitals which I enjoyed immensely.  As a naturally warm and empathetic individual I was well suited to working in this environment.  Unfortunately after developing ill health I was sadly forced to give up work.  Medical professionals told me I would never be well enough to work again and would end up wheelchair bound.  Despite this and against all the odds I had something that could not be taken away from me, something I did not have to give up, and that was a little thing called HOPE.  With hope on my side I dedicated myself to healing on all levels, first physically through changing my lifestyle.  As I knew that the root cause of my illness was an emotional one I took a course on mindfulness and meditation which was life changing.  Before long, I was teaching this course and supporting others to improve their mental health with much success.

 

 

My Journey to Becoming a Therapist

 

Deciding to train to become a therapist felt like a natural progression for me, as I wished to help and support people on a far deeper level.  Being a mindfulness and meditation teacher has however, played an important role in who I have become as a therapist.  Training to become a therapist has not been an easy process.  I compare my journey to the powerful fairy tale the 'Wizard of Oz' symbolising self-exploration, self-discovery, and self-realization.  My path travelled has been full of obstacles, twist and turns.   There were times when I struggled to keep going due to self-doubt.  Like Dorothy, I persevered and discovered that I had all the resources within me all along to complete my journey - Heart (love and compassion), courage (strength and intuition), and brains (wisdom).  I believe we all have a tinman, a Lion and a scarecrow inside of us.

A requirement of my training was to undertake therapy for myself.  In the beginning it was difficult to be open and candid about my past trauma's, pain, and present struggles with my therapist.  However, through the safety of the therapeutic relationship I took my therapist's hand and I dared to look into the abyss.  I found many treasures waiting to be discovered in the darkness.  To truly experience the therapeutic relationship for myself felt magical, its healing power is difficult to put into words, and has helped to shape not only who I have become as a person, (and unbecome), but who I am as a therapist.