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How I work
My approach to therapy is integrative. This means that I draw from a variety of different therapy approaches.
People can start to feel better when their stories are heard and their feelings validated. However, it is not a necessary requirement that you revisit traumatic and distressing events as part of your therapy.
I will not judge, advise or tell you what to do and I respect that you are the expert in your life. If required I can equip you with tools, techniques and coping strategies to use outside of the session when things are difficult.
My experience as a therapist
Over the course of my career I have provided several thousand hours of therapy to teenagers and adults experiencing a wide range of challenges and difficulties. The following are just some of the areas in which I have extensive experience-
Trauma
Attachment
Abuse
Self harm
Feeling suicidal
Grief, loss and bereavement
Gender sexuality and relationship diversity
Confidence and self esteem
Relationships
Alcohol and substance misuse
Depression
Anxiety
Assertiveness and setting boundaries
Difficulties with feelings
Neurodiversity
Perfectionism
Procrastination
Body Image
Somatic Experiencing
I am trained to Intermediate Level 1 in Somatic Experiencing and can incorporate elements of this approach into your sessions.
Somatic Experiencing differs from some other more traditional therapies as it offers a ‘body first’ approach to the difficult and sometimes physical effects of trauma.
It is not about reclaiming memories or changing thoughts and beliefs about how you feel. It works with the ‘felt sense’ accessing physical sensations, imagery and motor patterns to help re-regulate the nervous system.
My qualifications and training
I have a BSc in Psychology, Sociology and English and a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I have also completed a number of other courses including:-
NICABM – Treating Trauma Master Series
Introduction to Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing Beginning 1
Somatic Experiencing Beginning 2
Somatic Experiencing Intermediate 1
Pink Therapy – Essentials in Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy
Northern Guild – Sand Tray Therapy
Online Therapy Institute – Certified Cyber Therapist
MindEd – Counselling Children and young people
Transactional Analysis 101
IFS Institute – Internal Family Systems Online Circle Training
Dr Leslie Ellis – How to work with dreams in your clinical practice
I am a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society at the level of Accredited Professional and my membership number is NCS15-01837 I am also a registrant on their Children and Young Person Register. I have a current DBS check and professional indemnity insurance.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society is on the Professional Standards Authority accredited register. See the video below to find out how this helps to protect you as a client.