Professional experience

After a degree in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Birmingham I began my career as a Physics teacher. In 1999, I studied with the Tavistock Clinic and University of East London and received my Post Graduate Diploma in Psychoananalytic work with Children, Young People and Families.

I set up and ran the school Counselling Service at The Cherwell School in Oxford from 2005.

 

I have travelled widely, visiting schools and orphanages in India, Tibet, China and Romania.

I support LUMOS, the 2015 charity winner for de-institutionized care of children across the world.

 

Having an interest in Mindfulness since 1987, I developed a more regular practice, and received the Mindfulness in Schools Teaching Certificate in 2012. I have over 1,000 hours of personal mindfulness practice experience, and I practice mindfulness regularly. Mindful acceptance is central to my counselling approach.

 

Confidentiality

 

Confidentiality is of course a high  priority both for adults and young people within the usual bounds of safeguarding. My aim is to be non judgemental. non-patholagizing and supportive.

 

My Approach

 

I am a humanistic practitioner. I believe in finding the approach that works for the person I am working with. Some people really want to talk, others are tentative and are glad of something more directive from time to time. I can offer mindfulness and self compassion approaches as well as some education about understanding about why your body/mind is reacting as it is. I sometimes draw on creative approaches, such as sand tray work, written word, drawing/pastel work. Increasingly I am bringing in aspects of body work - this interleaves with mindful awareness of all that we experience - getting to know ourselves, accept ourselves, manage our difficulties, celebrate and build on our strengths and be kind to ourselves, so that positive change can naturally take place. However the process unfolds it always involves reaching the place where feelings are felt and understood and allowed to take their appropriate place in life. My approach is supportive. I am not overly fond of labels or medication, depending on how they are being used. I believe in the in-built drive our body/mind has to improve and mend itself. With determination and a little faith in the process recovery is possible.

 

Mindfulness

 

Mindfulness can play a central role in my approach, but need not and is not always appropriate. Where appropriate It is introduced through a subtle integration with psychotherapeutic approach, which is inherently mindful. If agreed, sessions can be a more direct opportunity to provide support for your mindfulnesss practice from a fellow practitioner and to work in depth through the arising emotional experiences. I am trained in leading student groups and in supporting individuals in their practice as well of course in working with the deeper emotional process.

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You and your children

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Whether working with you or your children, my approach works on the belief that we are all individuals on our own journeys. Difficulties are like the jungles and deserts of that journey - tough to get through, but coming through, means as changing beings, we emerge stronger. Seeking help is seen as an act of self-empowerment, bringing the possibilities for integration, and reaching our true potential through the expressing and meeting of deeply felt needs. That you lead this process is of the utmost importance. I believe that a good therapist is an affirming and sometimes challenging guide. I am committed to meeting your needs and the needs of your family.

 

As a result, the majority of my clients come by way of referrals from existing  and previous customers.

 

I take pride in offering services at the highest level of therapeutic excellence. I am fully insured and accredited by the leading professional body, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). You can trust me to deliver the best in warmth, understanding and therapeutic expertise.

I provide support for :-

Anxiety in children, young people, young adults, teenage years, pre-school, sleep, illness, bereavement, anxiety with school/work engagement, learning support, bullying issues ( from all perspectives ), dyslexia emotional support, disability support, counselling in schools, parenting issues, miscarriage, parent and child support, pregnancy, mother and baby support, play therapy, Aspergers syndrome, cancer and the family, menopause support, addictions, lifestyle adjustment, 

 

Support with chronic physical conditions (e.g. MS, Lupus, glandular fever, Sjorgren's syndrome, ME, Chronic fatigue, pain management including functional vaginal pain and more general acceptance of/and working with undiagnosed conditions), 

 

Sexual issues, relationship issues, childhood issues, hearing voices, self-harm, low self-esteem, low self-confidence; bipolar issues, intrusive thoughts, depression, suicidal feelings, sleeping issues, eating disorders, transgender, transsexual, bisexual gay/lesbian issues, cross-dressing, non binary gender identification, isolation, fears, and phobias, loss through suicide, mindfulness informed counselling approaches, cultural adjustment.

 

Elderly people

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Elderly life story or emotional support/contact. Home visits may be possible for disabled clients and the elderly.