My Approach

I work with individuals face to face and also have some online availability. Central to my work is my aim to create a safe, supportive, therapeutic relationship. I do this by:

Offering a confidential space for you to explore what you want to bring
Creating a respectful non-judgemental relationship which values difference and diversity. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirmative practitioner.
Bringing clarity to our initial sessions about the way I work, what I can offer you, what you might gain from the sessions.
A commitment to listen to and understand things from your perspective.
Working relationally at your pace to help you make sense of things. As an integrative practitioner, I use a range of approaches tailored to your needs.
Valuing always your innate wisdom and strengths. Building and developing your own resources.
Building regular reviews to make sure the work continues to meet your needs.

My style is warm, collaborative, flexible, exploratory and creative. The theoretical approaches I integrate mostly into my practice are drawn from the psycho-dynamic, humanistic and existential traditions. Because sometimes it can feel hard to put feelings into words, I sometimes use trauma-informed approaches, including sensory-motor psychotherapy, Family Systems, and some creative approaches. These help you access buried feelings in a safe way, thus enabling you to feel more calm, balanced and in touch in positive ways with the fullest range of emotions.

My practice is based in Church Road, Hove. I do understand that reaching out can feel hard, so I offer an initial free 15 minute phone/zoom conversation. If we decide to meet, I then offer 2 initial sessions where which we give you an opportunity to share about what is troubling you. I will also ask you some questions to find out about you and we can talk about what you would like to gain from these sessions.

I am an ethical practitioner. I continually update my knowledge and skills by attending regular professional development activities and clinical supervision with a senior practitioner.

About Me

I am an experienced Integrative Psychotherapist, offering short and longer-term counselling or psychotherapy for adults. I am also training as an EMDR practitioner and subject to assessment, can offer these sessions at reduced cost.

From 2018, I worked in many community settings, including the Mid Sussex, Horsham, East Sussex and Arun Counselling Centres. I currently work as an Integrative Psychotherapist for Psychology Sussex based in Hove. I have been in private practice since 2019.

Before training as a Psychotherapist, I worked as a teacher and then had several professional roles within education and social care. I have considerable experience working with clients experiencing any of the following:

Depression and Anxiety
General life stress
Work issues
Relationship issues
Different kinds of life trauma
Different kinds of loss and bereavement
Difficult life transitions
Lack of meaning or purpose to life.

QUALIFICATIONS
MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy. Middlesex University. (2023)
Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy. Metanoia Institute. (2023)
Certificate in Supportive Music and Imagery. (2022
Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery. (2020)
Advanced Certificate in the Therapeutic Arts. IATE. (2016).
MA in Music Therapy. Anglia Ruskin University. (2002)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Kingston University. (1992)
BA in Music, 2nd Class. Durham University. (1988)

Recent Counselling and Psychotherapy Experience.
Psychology Sussex, Hove. (2021 – present)
Arun Counselling Centre. (2020-2022)
Sussex Community Counselling (2020-2022)
Horsham and Crawley Counselling Centre. (2019-2020).
Mid Sussex Counselling Centre. (2018-2019).

Memberships of Professional Bodies:
Full registration with the UK Council for Psychotherapy. UKCP Registration no. 2011172964
Full Clinical Membership of the Metanoia Institute.
Member of the BACP Registration no. 01007392
Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery.

I work with

• Individuals