Do more than belong: participate, Do more than care: help, Do more than believe: practice, Do more than be fair: be kind, Do more than forgive: forget, Do more than dream: work. William Arthur Ward
ACC (Accred), NCS (Accred)
Having myself benefited from counselling in the past I fully believe in the therapeutic process and aim to provide a safe, empathic, non-judgemental, confidential space where my clients can also benefit from talking therapy.
I am familiar with the uncertainties that can occur when embarking on counselling,e.g. Will I find the right counsellor? Will I be understood? Can I talk about what is really on my mind?
I strive to make the whole process less daunting and a safe base where exploration and answers can be found. Cutting out theoretical dogma is one way this is achieved.
I am passionate about providing a space and atmosphere where my clients are supported and therefore better able to identify their own resources and capabilities, which are often forgotten or lost in the problems and complexities of life.
Working as an Integrative Therapist my focus is on you and on applying the right therapy approach to meet your need.
BACKGROUND:
I have spent many years working with children where I learnt skills in listening, patience, discernment and prioritizing. `
I took my work with children further when I counselled children in a primary school. I gained professional experience working with children’s emotional needs and difficulties.
EXPERIENCE:
My core training, work and experience however has been with adults. Working in a general adult counselling agency for 5 years I gained experience with a variety of issues and concerns from abuse, relationship, pre-marital, cultrual and adolescent issues to anxiety, obsessions, personality disorder, rape trauma, bereavement and much more.
Part of my experience has been with Victim Support Lambeth, where for over 7 years I supported victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape.
QUALIFICATIONS:
BACP accredited & registered (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
ACC accredited (Association of Christian Counsellors)
NCS accredited (The National Counselling Society)
BSc (Hons) in Reflective Therapeutic Practice
Adv Dip in Therapeutic Counselling
Dip in CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
EMDR Practitioner (Eye Movement desensitization and reprocessing)
Cert in Behavioural Couples Therapy
HOW I WORK:
I work integratively, integrating the Psychodynamic, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Person Centred approaches.
Working this way means I am equipped to deal with a variety of issues and this means also that I can adapt the therapy to meet the needs of the individual.
My work is rooted within the Person Centred approach, which is helpful in establishing the therapeutic relationship, and is congruent with my own values.
Creating an atmosphere of safety, trust and exploration provides clients with opportunities to find answers and make sense of their concerns, bringing about the changes they need to move on with their lives.
Exploring the role of the unconscious within our minds helps to bring awareness for example of how the past and childhood experiences could be affecting our present experiences.
I work with the Psychodynamic approach to facilitate this exploration.
Using the CBT approach, I work collaboratively applying practical strategies to insight gained.
The CBT approach is particularly effective for issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, personality disorders, anger management and obsessive behaviours.
I use the EMDR approach in my work to treat PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder), for example trauma experienced after a traffic accident, an attack at work or when it becomes apparent through exploration there has been a trauma.
Everyone is an individual therefore though some issues may be similar no two sessions or exploration are the same; my approach to the therapeutic relationship reflects this, sessions are adapted to meet individual need.
GOVERNING BODY & ETHICAL PRACTICE:
I am bound by the (BACP) British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy code of ethics and practice, and am committed to moral and professional conduct.
I remain relevant within the field of counselling and psychotherapy by attending additional training, workshops, supervision and networking with other professionals.
Personal development is also important to me, through my own personal therapy I continue to grow as a person.
