About Me

I work in private practice with individuals on a short or long term basis and in a way which best suits the needs of the person and their situation. This can mean that I work quite differently with someone who arrives as a result of a crisis or recent trauma to someone who has a long term work related difficulty for example. Short term work tends to be more goal oriented whereas longer term work has a more reflective quality but in all cases I hope to make an empathic relationship with my clients, seeking to understand their felt experience and to help make sense of their situation.

An initial consultation is arranged to discuss client needs and future arrangements are agreed at this first meeting. Sometimes this single meeting is enough but more usually a 6 week minimum is agreed with further or more open ended arrangements made as necessary.

My consulting room is a tranquil space in my home. Wivenhoe is easily accessible by public transport with the train station a 5 minute walk away. On street parking is usually available and there are car parks close by.

I have a BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and an MA in Management and Organisational Dynamics. I have undertaken training with the Minster Centre, Cambridge Society for Psychotherapy and Matrix College over a period of 25 years and have worked in private practice for over 20 years.

I have experience of working with people across a wide age range - from 18 to 80 - and both short and long term - from one session to over 10 years. I have an integrative approach that draws on ideas and techniques not just from counselling and psychotherapy traditions but also organisational, coaching and design thinking methodologies, using visual metaphors, play and narrative as a way of exploring and understanding personal dilemmas and experience. I have a keen interest in creativity and the ways in which creative approaches to difficulties or problems can surface tacit knowledge and understanding.

Alongside private practice, I am Principal Consultant at Shaw Concannon Consultants, providing organisational development and coaching/supervision. I have held senior system leadership roles within the NHS, including Service Director for the Keeping Well North Central London Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub and Clinical Service Lead for Adult Complex Services at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. I have also taught and held faculty roles on leadership and organisational programmes at the University of Birmingham, the University of Essex and the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

I work with

• Companies
• Individuals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Depression
• Employment Difficulties
• Mental Health Issues
• Relationships
• Stress
• Trauma
• Workplace Counselling