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 approach is informed by Person-Centred and Psychodynamic principles, and is underpinned by a belief in an individual’s inherent potential to understand themselves more deeply. I approach therapy with the understanding that we are relational beings and can come to know ourselves at deeper levels in collaboration with an empathic and attuned other. In practice, this involves establishing and nurturing a therapeutic alliance as a foundation for the work to unfold, and taking time to understand your unique context, experiences, strengths and aims for therapy. It also involves exploring your development from childhood through to adulthood, reflecting on important relationships, considering how past experiences may influence present ways of relating with self and others, and bringing awareness to repeating patterns which may be limiting you.
I also integrate a range of therapeutic approaches in my work, including:
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.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress and other mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (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.
Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) - encourages curiosity, openness and reflection, with the aim of improving mentalising capacity. Mentalising involves the ability to reflect upon what is going in one’s own minds - thoughts, feelings, wishes, intentions- whilst remaining curious about what is happening in the minds of others, It can become more challenging to mentalise in times of stress and emotional overwhelm. More effective mentalising can help with: understanding emotions and feeling more in control of emotional states; navigating misunderstandings and improving communication; and strengthening relationships with self and others.
Mindfulness and Compassion-Focused Approaches - which support in connecting with the inner experience of self, whilst exploring the concept of self-compassion, what a more self-compassionate stance might look like for the individual and what may become possible when self-compassion is invited in.
Psychoeducation - which involves facilitating learning about a range of topics related to mental health and wellness, including understanding symptoms, developing skills and connecting to community resources.
l have clinical experience in a range of settings including private practice, the not-fo-profit sector, sexual health, 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 Social Worker, registered with Social Work England. 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, gender identity, trauma, complex trauma, 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.