My Approach

As an integrative psychotherapist I am qualified to work with adults on a wide range of issues. Sometimes people find short descriptions such as “anxiety” “depression” “experience of trauma” or “sexuality and relationship issues” to be helpful and if that is the case for you, then we can work from there. However I often find that supporting people to explore the full breadth of their experience in a safe and confidential space can be very beneficial and rewarding – a desire just to understand yourself better and get more out of life can be a great starting point!

I see my role as bringing my training and experience to work alongside you as we explore your lived experience together. This exploration can extend all the way back to earliest childhood experiences. Such experiences are carried in our bodies even when we can’t recall them consciously and this means it is important to give close attention to feelings at a physical and emotional level, as well as the stories we tell ourselves and each other about our experiences.

One therapeutic approach I use a lot is known as Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). This works on the principle that we all have multiple psychological “parts” – you could say these are like an internal psychological family. When our parts are integrated and working in harmony we may not be very aware of them. However, from an early age, particular parts can take on the burden of painful events or traumatic experiences. When this happens, other parts take action to keep that emotional pain out of awareness. This can often work successfully to hide emotional pain for quite long periods, but comes at a cost. One of the goals of IFS is to help us get to know our parts and the ways they have tried to protect us. Working in this way can help the system return to greater calmness and balance. A consequence of this is that we are able to engage with life in more openhearted, confident and creative ways.

About Me

I am an accredited counsellor and UKCP registered psychotherapist working online and central Cardiff. Before training as a psychotherapist I worked as health service manager for many years, mostly in the UK NHS. This gives me have a good understanding of the pressures of professional life as well as the challenges personal life can often bring. Although I have lived in Wales for over 20 years, I have lived and worked elsewhere in the UK and also in East and West Africa.

I work with

• 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

• Integrative Psychotherapist