About

I initially trained as a counsellor and became qualified in 2000. Shortly after this, I trained in Embodied Relational Therapy (ERT). This is an integration of Body Psychotherapy, Process-Oriented Psychology and psychoanalytic and spiritual understanding. More recently, I trained in Family Constellations Therapy and iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation.

I have continued to explore and study. Depth psychology has been a significant influence following personal experience of psychoanalytic and Jungian psychotherapy and a year-long training at Severnside Institute for Psychotherapy.

I also draw on other influences, for example, Nonviolent Communication, Motivational Interviewing and mythological stories.

Professional Experience

Before private practice, I worked in counselling services in Further and Higher Education Institutions. These experiences gave me a first-hand understanding of the pressures that can arise when working in organisations and caring professions. For example, burnout, compassion fatigue and lack of control over boundaries.

Transpersonal Awareness

When I was in my twenties, I had an experience that opened up an interest in the nature of consciousness. This has given me an insight into the way that these sorts of experiences can be both a blessing and a challenge. I have engaged with a range of spiritual practices and traditions, including Buddhist and Vedic practice, land-based spirituality, and Christianity. These experiences have been transformative and helpful.

But I have also gained an understanding of some of the difficulties that can be part of spiritual experience and spiritual organisations, for example, dissociation, spiritual bypassing, grandiosity, magical thinking and spiritual abuse.

It was important for me to include the transpersonal in my work; I was happy to encounter Dr Richard Miller and his model, iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation, which provided an in-depth, accessible and grounded therapeutically aware approach to the transpersonal that acknowledges the mind and body.

Groups, Community and Systems

I have spent time in various groups and communities for short and more extended periods, in the UK and overseas.

These experiences have given me insight into the dynamics and barriers to connection that can play out in relationships and groups. I bring this understanding into 1-1 work.

Intergenerational Awareness

I have researched my own ancestry, which has led to an interest in history generally. These explorations have broadened my understanding of the intergenerational roots of trauma and the potential for healing in bringing this awareness, and awareness of ancestral lineage, into therapy.

Creativity

I’m very interested in creativity and the creative process. As well as my own explorations in this regard, when I worked in Education, I was responsible for supporting students on creative courses: fine artists, graphic artists, dancers and musicians, in three separate institutions over about 15 years. This has given me an understanding of the creative mindset and some of the challenges associated with creative temperaments, creative industries and the path of the artist.

Accreditation, Regulation and Safety

I engage in regular clinical supervision and professional development. I have been accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy since 2004. I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework.