My Approach

I see psychotherapy as an opportunity to build understanding of the experiences we have had throughout our lives that contributed to the current narratives we hold about ourselves. These narratives not only can get in the way of personal growth and relationships, it can also impact our mental health in various ways and in turn lead to unhelpful patterns of behaviours and a sense of being stuck. I recognise that the struggles of an individual need to be explored within the context of both family and past experiences as well as within the wider societal environment that they are living in. Factors such as, religion, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, social and economic status, family values/beliefs, peer groups, neurodiversity, disability etc, all can have an impact upon the mental health and family relationships. As can the way in which we were parented affect how we see ourselves and influence our own attitudes to child rearing and relationships in general.

I try to create an environment that optimises the chance for clients to feel safe enough to meaningfully explore their experiences, dilemmas and struggles. This approach builds on the existing strengths of individuals through developing better self-reflexivity and recognising patterns of unhealthy behaviour that can become repetitive, with an aim to help them to find new ways of feeling, living and relating to others in ways that make sense to them and develop more autonomy in their life.

I work collaboratively with individuals, couples and families. I believe in being open about my own thinking and sharing my perspectives and expertise as appropriate. I try to do this in a way that encourages a thoughtful dialogue, that is experienced as helpful, leads to fresh insights and perspectives. I am sensitive about managing this respectfully and rely on my authenticity and my deep theoretical knowledge in my practice.

About Me

I am an experienced Systemic Psychotherapist offering individual therapy, couples therapy and family therapy. Alongside my private practice I have been working for Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation as a senior clinician and lecturer for more than ten years. Working in a generic and specialist CAMHS and private practice has enabled me to gain a broad range of experience of working with individuals, couples, groups and families from diverse backgrounds, struggling with a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties, including; anxiety, low mood, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, attachment issues, grief, gender dysphoria and work related issues.

I have extensive experience of working with children, young people and adults who are neurodivergent, have a diagnosis of Autism and / or Learning Difficulties, as well as complex health conditions and other disabilities. I work closely with parents and / or significant individuals, supporting them developing a better understanding of their loved ones' emotional difficulties and/ or behaviours, as well as finding ways of supporting them appropriately. Sessions also offer an opportunity to parents to reflect on their parenting; its challenges, dilemmas and/or developing effective ways of co-parenting with their partners.

I have a great deal of experience in working with couples, including those who are going through separation or divorce, and am adept at fostering a supportive and safe environment to help individuals find a way to speak with one another about their difficulties.

I am also a qualified Systemic Supervisor and offer clinical supervision and consultations to fellow Systemic Psychotherapists and clinicians from other disciplines and professions, both in my NHS role and private practice. I have been teaching on various Systemic Psychotherapy courses, including the Masters and Supervision course

I offer Brief and Long-Term interventions considering what clients want from the process.

Individuals who see me present with wide range of issues including experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties and work-related distresses. Therapy can help to gain a better understanding of the contributing causes to their current state of mind and support a process to get to a position where they develop more autonomy in their life.

With individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism or consider themselves as neurodivergent, therapy often helps them to make sense of their identity in the context of their differences and to navigate their life and relationships by building their resilience and learning to communicate their needs effectively.

Couples are often keen to understand themselves and each other better within their relationships, so they can communicate and support each other better. They may seek therapy at points of significant changes and transitions in their lives, such as becoming a parent, illness, loss, or other life events that impacts their relationships. At other times they seek support at the point of going through separation and divorce. This significant change can be more complicated, when couples have children. I offer a safe space to explore ways in which they can develop and adapt to co-parenting post separation and supporting their children through this emotional period.

Parents seek support for gaining a better understanding of their child/ren’s needs, emotional difficulties and/ or challenging behaviours, as well as finding ways of supporting them appropriately. Sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on their parenting; its challenges, dilemmas and/or developing effective ways of co-parenting with their partners.
For parents of children with a diagnosis of Autism, the focus often is helping them to explore the impact of the diagnosis on the family life and individuals as well as their parenting, to recognise their child’s individuality and create a capable environment where they can fulfil their potential.

Family sessions offers an opportunity to everyone in the family to explore roots to their relationship difficulties; Whether it might be related to individual’s mental health difficulties, the impact of life circumstances such as health-related issues, loss, disability, transitions, new additions to families, adopted children and blended families etc, We work towards developing a better understanding of each other and unhelpful patterns they have formed over the years in order to resolve conflict and rebuild their relationships.

I work with

• Children and young people
• Couples
• Families
• Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Family and Systemic Psychotherapist
• Family Therapist
• Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist
• Systemic Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• ADHD
• Adoption
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bereavement
• Couple Issues
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Divorce
• Family
• Gender
• Health-related Issues
• Identity Problems
• Mental Health Issues
• Parents
• Relationships
• Separation
• Step Families
• Stress
• Supervision
• Transgender
• Trauma