My professional qualifications, accreditations and memberships:
- Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych)
- Yoga Therapy for Mental Health (RYT200)
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Bachelors Degree in Psychology (BAhons)
- Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Registered member of the Yoga Alliance
My professional experience:
I have worked across NHS, educational, charitable and private sectors in a range of services, including Primary and Secondary care, schools, residential services and GP surgeries. I have worked with children, young people, families, couples and individuals on a range of different problems including stress, anxiety, low mood, depression, post-traumatic stress/trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, complex trauma/’personality disorders’, childhood abuse, psychosis, schizophrenia and learning disability.
In addition to my work as a Counselling Psychologist, I am a qualified Yoga Therapist for Mental Health and use yoga, breathing and mindfulness as tools to help people cope better with the challenges they face in life.
My personal statement:
I believe our early life forms the blueprint for the way we see ourselves, others and the world around us. This blueprint continues to influence how we think, feel and react to situations in the present. Although these patterns may have helped us cope in the past they can sometimes be limiting and cause us unnecessary suffering. My aim in therapy is to help my clients explore their experiences, to heal old wounds and to discover fresh possibilities.
I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches including Person-Centred counselling, Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and more recent mindfulness-based therapies. I have a particular interest in Schema Therapy which combines elements of each of these approaches. I see therapy as a collaborative process and tailor the way I work to meet the needs of each unique individual.
On a more personal note I enjoy long walks, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Additional information about my research, publications and interests:
For my doctoral research I explored people’s experiences of yoga and mindfulness for mental health and wellbeing. I am interested in the benefits people experience from doing yoga and mindfulness and the ways in which therapists, such as myself, can support people to start and maintain a practice.
