About Me
I live with my partner and cat in South Manchester, where I am often found writing stories, going for walks or tending to an enormous number of indoor plants. I also find time for video games, boardgames or playing Dungeons and Dragons.
When it comes to therapy, I often get feedback that I am compassionate, open-minded, empathetic, encouraging and curious. I feel this has come about from being in situations where I have not felt accepted, and therefore understand strongly the power of being heard and accepted by others.
I’m also a great advocate for creativity and play – it can build empathy, develop ideas or simply offer some much-needed rest from everyday life. Play also allows for failure, which as a recovering perfectionist, building compassion for myself has been valuable in my life. It’s also opened the door to communities that are warm and accepting to everyone.
As a young adult, I had my own experience with mental health struggles both at university and as a graduate trying to navigate relationships and work. I struggled on my own for a while before seeking out my own therapy, which I found quickly transformative. I therefore believe the only way to be a therapist is to understand what it’s like to sit in the other chair and the journey it took to get there. It’s an enormous step.
My Experience
My background is in the corporate world, where I worked in professional services in the construction industry for almost 15 years. The construction industry has historically been lacking in support for people with mental health challenges, and it is both this insight, as well as my own experience within therapy, which led to me retraining as a therapist.
I therefore understand the huge impact that work can have in our lives, including negative stressors, difficult working relationships, career transitions and our sense of identity, as well as how a demanding work environment can compromise personal wellbeing and healthy boundaries.
My counselling experience is in working with people in social housing to adjust to large and impactful changes in their lives. I have also worked with those with life-limiting illnesses and their carers to process difficult life events and changes in their relationships with loved ones.
Qualifications
I have a post-graduate qualification in Integrative Psychotherapy from the University of Central Lancashire, where I trained in person-centered, existential and psychodynamic therapies. I also draw from solution-focused, somatic experiencing and psychoeducation.
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This means I am bound to the BACP’s Ethical Principles, including confidentiality procedures and regular continuing professional development (CPD). Recently I have undertaken training in working with relational trauma responses and experiencing change from an existential perspective.
What to Expect
I offer a free 15-minute phone or Google Meet call for an initial conversation. So much of counselling is finding the person and the approach that works for you, so this conversation will give you an idea of whether you want to go ahead with sessions. I will talk a little about what you can expect from me and our time together. This is so you can take this information away with you and make a decision in your own time about whether my approach will work for you. Equally, I will be honest if I’m the right person for you or not – it’s important we both feel we can work together.
Similarly, the first session is getting to know each other, answering any questions you might have and communicating any worries you might have. Opening up to a stranger right away can be difficult, which is why the first session will explore what brings you to therapy at a pace that feels comfortable to you. We will also talk about creating a confidential and safe environment, review a simple counselling contract and fill in some background information. We will then start our journey together.
I understand first-hand how intimidating therapy can be. We will work together to find a pace and way of working that feels right to you. My approach is a balance of support and challenge, so you both feel safe to explore while also supported to push your comfort zone and make meaningful progress.