How I work
My approach to therapy is informed by research, and also my own experiences and values. I believe in warmth, honesty and collaboration. Therapy should not feel impersonal, rigid, or mysterious. I aim to create a space where people feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted just as they are, enabling them to better understand themselves from a more compassionate space. My work is also informed by my own past experiences as a client of therapy, where I have considered what was helpful to me and what was not.
My Theoretical Approach
I follow a relational and integrative approach to therapy. This means that I draw upon several theories, and can apply these according to what is helpful for each individual. I may use some of the following perspectives and ideas:
- Person-Centred
I believe that people are the experts in their own lives, and can find their own solutions when they are provided with a supportive environment to do so. I do not offer advice, however I may offer theoretical insights and ideas that help people to view their situation from different perspectives. - Psychodynamic
I consider how an individual’s early relationships may influence how they relate to themselves and other people. Recognising patterns between past and present experiences can help us to understand why we are the way that we are. This may include discussing our experience of the therapy relationship itself, and how this may reflect the relational dynamics we have with people in our everyday lives. - Emotion-focused
I may focus on emotions to help people recognise and create a healthier, more accepting relationship with how they are feeling. This can be helpful for people who are particularly disconnected from, or overwhelmed by, their emotions. - Trauma-focused
I work in a way that is sensitive to an individual’s potential trauma history and its impact on their behaviour, mental health, and experience of therapy.
Qualifications and Experience
I hold a MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling awarded by the University of Leeds, and an Honours Degree in Psychology.
I have experience in various mental health roles in the third sector and NHS settings. I have worked with people accessing both primary care and secondary care support, in GP surgeries and Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs). I have supported individuals with significant mental health difficulties affecting their employment. Alongside my private practice, I am currently working as a therapist and manager for an NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) service. I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Psychological Society (BPS), and abide by their codes of ethics.
Who I can help
People choose therapy for a wide range of difficulties. This includes but is not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
- Bereavement
- Abuse
- Trauma
- Relationship difficulties
- Employment issues
- Climate change distress
I work with adults from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender identity, sexuality, race, beliefs or culture. I have also worked with individuals who are autistic and/or have ADHD.
I do not currently offer therapy to couples or children.
Previous harm in therapy
I also provide therapy for clients who have experienced harm in a previous relationship with a therapist (or other health professional such as a social worker). This includes all types of harm, from unhelpful interventions and abrupt endings, to deliberate exploitative dual or sexual relationships.
It can be extremely difficult to turn to another professional after being let down by someone who abused a position of trust. It is not unusual for people to feel they have nowhere to turn, or that subsequent professionals won’t understand the devastating impact these experiences can have. Some people fear that nobody will believe them, or that they will be blamed for what has happened to them. Others may avoid encounters with certain professionals altogether, meaning that they miss out on the healthcare and support that they deserve.
I provide a safe and ethical space to help process this experience, at a gentle exploratory pace to suit the individual. I believe that therapy can hold healthy boundaries whilst not being unhelpfully rigid or scripted. I am aware of the impact of ‘power’ in therapy, and offer a boundaried, yet warm and flexible space to explore and heal from experiences of professional harm.
