Counselling and Psychotherapy
My approach is collaborative, strengths-focused and relational. I offer shorter term counselling for specific challenges as well as longer-term psychotherapy focused on growth, learning and exploring patterns which may be holding you back.
I am integrative in my practice, drawing from a range of theories and frameworks. First and foremost, I am guided by the principles of trauma-informed care. This involves progressing the work at a pace that is tailored to your individual needs, prioritising collaboration, transparency and curiosity, and working in partnership with you to build safety and trust.
My practice is largely informed by the principles of Psychodynamic Theory - which include establishing a strong therapeutic alliance as a foundation for the work, exploring attachments to significant people in your life, considering development throughout childhood to adulthood and bringing awareness to patterns which may be outside conscious awareness. One of the approaches I utilise is Relational Psychotherapy - which recognises that we are relational beings and can come to know ourselves at deeper levels in dialogue with an empathic and attuned other person, such as a therapist. I also utilise Interpersonal Psychotherapy - an approach which sees challenges and resolutions in the context of important relationships and transitions, and is particularly effective for issues such as depression and mood related challenges.
I am also trained in EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress and other mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and OCD. It involves the use of bilateral movements (often eye movements but tapping and sounds can also be utilised), whilst calling to mind unresolved traumatic memories. Bilateral movements, like those which occur in REM sleep, can enable memories to be processed so that their distressing intensity is reduced.
l have clinical experience in a range of settings including private practice, the not-fo-profit sector, youth mental health, and in specialist secondary mental health services. In addition to being a registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, I am a Registered Social Worker. My experience as a social worker helps me to recognise the impact of social and contextual factors which may impact mental health, support you to see how these factors may be contributing to challenges and identify pathways to change.
I work with a range of issues including: sexuality, coming out, gender affirmation, post-traumatic stress, complex post-traumatic stress , personality disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and loss.
Areas of Speciality
LGBTQ+ Affirming Practice
I have worked in a number of LGBTQ+ health roles in Canada, the UK and Australia. I am passionate about LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing and believe that, whatever the issue that may bring someone to therapy, LGBTQ+ communities should have access to affirming support which recognises the impact of stigma and celebrates our identities
HIV
I have also worked in HIV health organisations in Canada, the UK and Australia. and have been involved in the community response to the epidemic since the 1990’s. During this time, I have seen the impact of grief, loss, isolation and discrimination, as well as the resilience, courage, and strength of communities most affected. Whilst heartened by the enormous progress in prevention and treatment of HIV, I understand the ongoing impact of HIV stigma and believe that affirming counselling and psychotherapy can contribute to the health and wellness of anyone affected by HIV.
Domestic Abuse
I work with both victim survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse and have extensive experience in using evidence-based approaches to facilitate safety and change. I apply a trauma-informed, victim survivor-centred approach when working in this space. Critically, when working with perpetrators of domestic abuse my approach is accountability-focused, recognising that taking responsibility for one’s behaviour is fundamental to change.