1 in 4 of us will suffer from some form of mental health problems in our lifetime and that means that even if its not us chances are it will be someone we know. We try and eat healthy and exercise but often don’t look after our mental health. What is poor mental health? Put simply it ranges from issues with anxiety and depression to more serious psychiatric disorders such as Bi-polar and schizophrenia.

Life happens to all of us -sometimes its good and sometimes it feels overwhelming - a relationship ends, someone dies, we lose our job, our children leave home or we just don’t feel we are able to cope with the challenges we currently face. As women we often look after others before ourselves but if we don’t practice self care and kindness towards ourselves we aren’t at our most effective.

People often come to counselling because they are at crises point, they’ve tried their hardest but life just feels too difficult. They want to affect a change but they don’t know how. Counselling can help.

Counselling offers a unique environment that is a safe and non judgemental space to talk through the difficulties you feel you are currently facing. Total confidential we look at patterns of behaviour and thoughts that aren’t working for you. We understand where they originated from ( often from childhood) and together we work towards understanding these patterns and moving forward to creating healthier ways in which to lead your life.

As a therapist people often ask me if I have a speciality and I don’t, my clients have ranged from people have been bereaved, anxious, depressed, suffered the loss of a relationship, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse - but the thing they all have in common is that they needed an opportunity away from family and friends where they can be be heard often for the first time in their lives. Exploring thoughts and feelings that we often hide from others and more importantly ourselves.

For many people opening up is very challenging and emotional. The decision to start counselling can feel daunting as it differs from talking to your friends but sometimes it helps to talk. Counselling aims to help you find the answers within without offering advice.

When was the last time someone asked you how you really were and stopped to listen for the answer.

I offer both short and long term counselling to adults 18+ and Couples & Individual; Relationship Therapy.

Individual Therapy
Our initial meeting is a chance to see if we can work together, for me to understand the issues you would like help with and for you to see if you feel I am the right person to help you. I offer both long term and short term therapy.

Couples/Relationship Therapy
​Couples/Relationship Therapy is different to Individual Therapy as the 'relationship' is the client. Together I can help you to look at the issues the relationship has and help you with these. The aim is to get you to communicate better with each other and where appropriate, what you would like your future to look like, and whether that is together or apart.

This kind of therapy is not exclusively for couples. We all have relationships, whether with family, friends or co workers and sometimes they need a little extra help.

The initial consultation is where we meet to see what the issues are and how counselling could be of benefit. This meeting gives us the opportunity to explore why you've come and allows you to voice any concerns you might have about the counselling process.

Training
I am an experienced Psychodynamic counsellor who has worked for many years in agency settings and I also work as a Bereavement counsellor. Put simply Psychodynamic Counselling is about making the unconscious conscious. Together we look at patterns of behaviour that often have roots in childhood and how they play out in adulthood. By understanding these behaviours we are able to understand the impact they can have on your life and how to move to healthier ways of being. My qualifications include a Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills, a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling a Certificate in Bereavement Counselling and a Certificate in CBT Skills and in Couples and Other Relationship Therapy, alongside The BACP Certificate of Proficiency. I am a registered member of the BACP and attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events to enhance and maintain my clinical knowledge and skills. Some of the CPD courses I have attended are PTSD Master classes, Bereavement and Trauma, CBT and Couples & Relationship therapy.