About Me

Whether you are an individual or a couple, it is likely that, looking at this, you are struggling in one or more areas of your life and need assistance. A specific event may have brought you here or you may have been considering seeking help for a while. You may be clear about what the issues are or you may feel uncertain about what exactly is going on. Either way, I offer a caring, empathic and non-judgmental environment where you can make sense of what is happening and find a way forward.

How do you know which type of therapy is for you with so many on offer? I have extensive training in both the psychodynamic and humanistic modalities and would describe my style as relational and collaborative. We will spend time thinking about the origins and patterns of your experiences and also make space for whatever thoughts and feelings you have now. Often insight into how the past affects the present can be a valuable first step towards change. Many studies have shown that the strength of the relationship you build with your therapist is the greatest indicator of success. I believe that my extensive professional experience combined with personal attributes of a clear mind and a warm and caring attitude inspire confidence and trust. I am normally able to form strong relationships very quickly for the most positive outcomes. (One of the skills I may use to this end is focusing, a mindfulness based relational body practice. For more details see below)

If you have any questions at all about me or my practice I will be very happy to have an informal chat with you on the phone before you make any decisions. In the meantime you will find a list below of areas with which I have experience.

Therapy works slightly differently for individuals and couples, so I have created headings below relevant to each - please have a look under the heading that applies to you.

Individuals - Generalised

Psychotherapy and counselling can help with many types of emotional distress. Below is a list of the broad areas with which I have experience. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and I may well be able to help even if you do not find yourself under one of these headings:

Anxiety, panic and stress
Depression, feeling sad
Trauma, situational or prolongued
Abuse: emotional, physical, sexual
Feeling not able to cope, overwhelm, suicidal thoughts
Self harm
Bullying
Lack of self esteem, low self confidence, shyness, worthlessness
Anger management
Lack of direction, meaning and purpose, existential issues, spiritual issues
Isolation and loneliness

Individuals - more specific issues:

Relationship issues: conflict, anger, isolation, affairs and betrayals
Separations and divorce
Family issues: parents, siblings, children and unsatisfactory relationships
Sexuality
Sexual problems
Fertility issues, miscarriage
Post natal depression
Menopause, change in life stage
Bereavement and loss
Work: stress, career issues, redundancy
Disordered eating
Suffering with a disability

Couple counselling

Couples often come to counselling when they are experiencing a break down in communication leaving both parties feeling hurt, misunderstood and even unloved. This can set up a dynamic leading to further disconnection, pain and isolation, anger, affairs, vengeful behaviours or withdrawal, feeling stuck in a rut, helplessness and hopelessness.

Of course, one or both of the parties may well be experiencing other difficulties in their life (see headings for Individuals above) which may have caused or contributed to the current difficulties in relating. These issues would also, where appropriate, be brought into the counselling, but sometimes it can be helpful for that person also to have individual therapy with another therapist.

Couple counselling can be an extremely helpful space in which to identify events, feelings, beliefs, misunderstandings and patterns of behaviour which contribute to the present difficulties. Many couples report that being in the calm contained presence of an impartial third party, and the offer of insight into what is going on, has helped them to access softer feelings towards each other and move out of their impasse.

In my couple work I an informed by psychodynamic, systemic and behavioural theories, and more recently I am finding EFT (emotionally focused therapy) to be very helpful in working with distressed couples.

I work with

• Couples
• Groups
• Individuals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Transpersonal Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Age-related Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Domestic Violence
• Employment Difficulties
• Health-related Issues
• Infertility
• Obsessions
• Parents
• Physical Abuse
• Private Practice Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexuality
• Spirituality
• Stress
• Suicide
• Supervision
• Training
• Trauma