My style of working

I am trained to Master degree level in Gestalt Psychotherapy, a ‘humanistic’ type of therapy which has an optimistic view of human nature, maintaining that we are not ‘fixed entities’ stuck with our difficulties, but rather, flexible beings capable of change toward greater clarity, confidence, happiness and satisfaction with relationships and life.

For me, ‘being myself’, building up a trusting relationship and working together with my clients is at the core of my practice. Through the exploration of thoughts, feelings and behaviours, the basic aim of my work is to help clients to understand why they feel and behave as they do so that they can work through any feelings, thoughts or behaviours which are obstacles to positive change and improved mental and physical health and happiness.

The focus of my approach is on what's happening now, though sometimes this may involve looking at the past in order to make more sense of difficulties in the present.

My work is essentially ‘integrative’. My foundation is Gestalt but I also borrow from other theoretical approaches including CBT, Transactional analysis, Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Existential, Transpersonal, Neuroscience and Mindfulness.

Who may Benefit from therapy?

You might be surprised to know that people come to see me for counselling and therapy from all walks of life. You don't need to have mental health issues to have some therapy or counselling sessions to try and improve your life. However, if you do feel that you have mental health issues, I look to see you for who you are rather than being limited by a diagnostic label.

My therapeutic approach is flexible and far-reaching, dealing with a wide range of issues such as:

• Feeling generally low, self-critical or depressed
• Having relationship difficulties
• Self-harming or having suicidal thoughts
• Not knowing which decisions to take
• Struggling to feel confident or act assertively
• Feeling severe stress or anxiety
• Having sleeping difficulties
• Feeling confusion about sexuality or identity

• Suffering from loss, bereavement or grief
• Dealing with the effects of childhood abuse
• Having difficulties around life changes
• Struggling with illness or disability
• Struggling with a specific crisis, difficulty or traumatic event
• Having workplace difficulties
• Feeling spiritual confusion

...or you may just want a bit of a ‘life review’; the space to look at ‘where you are at’ and where you'd like to go in your life...

What happens when you contact me?

Following a telephone conversation between us, I would generally meet you for an initial assessment session (where you assess me as well as I you). We sit in a warm, comfortable and very private room and look at what you want to address over a cup of tea. If it then feels right for us both, we agree a working contract and I usually recommend that you see me for six sessions initially.

Depending on the issues which you bring, I may recommend counselling, which tends to focus on specific problems, or move towards deeper psychotherapy which tends to explore more wide-reaching and deeper issues, often related to past experiences.

The sessions last for an hour.

Depending on how we feel at the end of six sessions, we can discuss whether you want to – and would be likely to benefit from – moving onto more long-term work.

The therapy sessions are led by you. I may ask you questions and suggest techniques to try and ‘get to the bottom of things’ but it's your time to spend it as you wish.

I have art materials, therapeutic tools and a music player in my room should you wish to be creative and build mindfulness practices into my work when appropriate.

I work with individuals, couples and groups.

My Qualifications and Experience

• 1989: BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies
• 1989: CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in social work)
• 1997: PG Certificate Gestalt Psychotherapy
• 1999: PG Diploma Gestalt Psychotherapy
• 2003: MSc Gestalt Psychotherapy
• 2004: Certificate in Training
• 2011 to present: Ongoing Mindfulness Training including three teacher training courses and advanced practitioner courses and retreats

I take part in local and international training on a regular basis.

In my eight year role as a ‘field’ social worker, I practised informal counselling with a vast array of people. I began my formalised counselling and psychotherapy in 1997, working for Derby's Sexual Abuse Unit, CASY, a young peoples' counselling charity and Nottingham Womens' Aid. I also established my private practice.

Within my private work I am employed by various “Employment Assistance” companies and provide short term work (usually six sessions) for employees from private companies and government organisations.

In 2002, myself and a colleague, Susie Tuner, established a weekly therapeutic movement and dance class called “Dancing Into Life“ with half movement and half discussion time, so very akin to group therapy. In 2004 I obtained a government grant to run the class.

My further experience of working therapeutically with groups in the last two decades includes team development, training of counsellors and students and running therapeutic workshops with adults and also children who have special needs or been excluded from school. I ran classes, workshops and support groups regularly in my recent four year role as a community worker.

My ethical obligations

As a member of UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and SPTI (The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute), I must adhere to strong codes of professional ethics including maintaining strict confidentiality (unless, for example, I believe my clients pose a threat to themselves or others), upholding clear professional boundaries, treating all clients with respect and promoting clients' well-being as a first priority.

As a condition of my UKCP and SPTI memberships, I must attend regular supervision and a series of 'continued professional development' trainings and psychotherapy conferences throughout the year.

Therapy & counseling feedback

“Before visiting you I didn't know which direction my life was going in. Now with your help and encouragement I have taken back the control and feel I have so much to live for.”

“Compassionate, warm, perceptive and understanding.”

“I now understand why I'm the person I am.”

“I feel empowered to address further the long term issues that have affected my life”

“I felt that it was a relaxed atmosphere. I liked the fact it did not have a board outside advertising what you did and people knowing why I was visiting.”

“I've started to believe in myself. Started to do things for myself. Started to view what happened differently.”

“I have a way forward now”

“I feel more able to say ‘no’, more able to feel ok with having a good cry and more focused on changing my life where I am able to.”

“Very pleasant, comfortable, relaxing environment.”

“I know why I do things now and how to manage my emotions and relax.”

“Makes you think about life .”

“I felt supported. Listened to.”

“I feel better about myself. I can see myself as a good person even when I have not responded to some issue well.”

“Empathic, understanding and non-judgemental. Very practical thinking and so able to facilitate practical solutions.”

“I have been so privileged to meet such a lovely, caring and inspirational young lady and you have made such an impact on my life.”

“Thankyou so much!”