My main interest in working as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist is to facilitate and encourage your personal empowerment, self awareness and sense of purpose and meaning in the world. I have a firm belief that every single one of us has unique qualities, values and skills that we can all access within our minds; new perspectives, and healthier relationships to ourselves, and others around us, that can lead a more enriched and fulfilling life (we might just not know it, or know how to get there, which is a perfectly fine starting point!).

 

I have an MSc in ‘Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling’, having trained and qualified with the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) between 2011 - 2015. I am a fully accredited member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists (UKCP).​​​

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I was previously employed at the University of Nottingham Counselling Service for 5 years, working with students, staff, lecturers etc. and I previously worked in a multi-disciplinary NHS hospital environment as a counsellor for almost 3 years providing open-ended psychotherapy for individuals with chronic health conditions (primarily Diabetes).

 

Before this I worked for East Midlands Autism (Previously NORSACA) as a support worker for Autistic adults with learning disabilities (Autistic Spectrum Disorder [ASD] - but I don't like the term 'disorder' in this instance, so I refer to Autism as a difference in processing/being rather than a pathology) - I also have a brother who is diagnosed with Autism at age 5 and I am Neurodivergent (ND) myself for what it's worth, since being 'believed' and/or 'understood' is crucial in support ND individuals (or anybody!).

I have a lot of experience with staff and students from the higher education setting, working on themes such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, bereavement, perfectionism and procrastination.  I maintain a trauma informed approach to therapy (including Post Traumatic Stress [PTSD] and Complex Post Traumatic Stress [CPTSD]).

 

I am interested in the interconnectedness of socio-cultural issues and power dynamics for which every single one of us will be affected by in some way or other (to greater or lesser degrees). I believe power dynamics permeate so many of our personal, family, work, societal and cultural experiences, in both overt and/or covert, subtle or unconscious ways. Understanding these dynamics can help to make sense of our own past and present experiences, towards finding greater self-determination, self-compassion, compassion for others and understanding our sense of meaning and purpose more broadly (and I promise this comes from the heart and not from the aid of some Artificial Intelligence [AI] tools, since you never can tell nowadays!!).

 

I have supported and acted as an advocate where appropriate for many individuals through bullying and abuse cases (sometimes institutional) and helped said individuals manage their mental health through these events. Abuses of power always exist at the centre of any bullying and abuse case. This leads me to another area of curiosity for me, commonly known as the psychology of 'Narcissism' (sometimes called Narcissistic abuse); whilst Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis, I do believe that 'Narcissism' is a valid descriptor of a set of largely unhealthy and often potentially dangerous human or organisational behaviours which the psychology field has made leaps and bounds in understanding this past decade in particular.

 

I am not interested in the demonisation of individuals, however I have stood as a professional witness in Crown Court due to the nature of these patterns of Narcissistic behaviour, so I understand the seriousness and damage caused by them. I believe it is important to help clients who are closely involved with/affected by narcissistic individuals, groups or organisational structures (such as a spouse, families, churches or employers etc.) to recognise and validate what they are experiencing, as it is often subtle, covert and manipulative, but certainly consistent and intentional. It is important to develop the strength and ability to value ourselves, know that we aren't going 'mad', to hold appropriate boundaries/distance, stay safe and contact the correct structural and/or legal bodies if/when necessary.

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I also have an interest and experience in the area of family estrangement and do not judge those that have chosen to detach or distance from members of, if not all of their family system. I believe making such decisions are grossly misunderstood, even amongst many in the supporting fields unfortunately. To make such a decision is not done lightly, often builds up gradually over many, many years and can be an incredibly painful grieving experience. It can also often be the most significant factor in personal healing and growth.

 

I have worked with many, many individuals from across the world, from all walks of life and met some absolutely fantastic, beautiful people along the way and heard their stories. I'm hoping to meet many more!​​