A Bit About Me

 

My personal and professional philosophy is that we are all of equal value. I’m genuinely interested in you, and you’re welcome here whatever your background or life experience.

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I work within a person-centred approach, rooted in humanistic psychology. It’s based on the belief that we all have the capacity for growth and change, and I value its gentle, respectful way of helping people feel more grounded, freer, and more able to shape their lives.

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I am a qualified, fully insured counsellor and psychotherapist, offering sessions face to face as well as online via video or telephone.

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For many years my life felt like a game of spinning plates — children, marriage, work, friendships and running a home. As a perfectionist, I worked hard to keep everything going. Over time, I’ve learned that perfectionism isn’t helpful — more like chasing an elusive pot of gold at the end of a rainbow — but self-kindness is, and this learning strongly informs how I work with clients.

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I’ve been married for over twenty-five years and have two children. We’re now adjusting to a half-empty nest, a transition that brings its own mix of change, loss and opportunity.

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Shortly after leaving the NHS, I was diagnosed with cancer. It was unexpected and frightening, but with the support of healthcare professionals, family and friends, it showed me just how important connection is. Thankfully, all is now well.

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Before training as a psychotherapist, I spent around twenty years working as a nurse, specialising in sexual health, alongside work in contraception, menopause and HIV care. I loved hearing people’s stories, but in nursing there was rarely enough time or space to explore what really mattered to them, which led me to train as a counsellor and psychotherapist.

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I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, meaning I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches and tailor my work to you as an individual. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, was awarded a Certificate in Single Session Therapy in 2024, and have volunteered as a counsellor with a local bereavement charity since 2022.

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Outside the therapy room, family, friendship and laughter matter deeply to me. I love walking, gardening and reading, have a fondness for the colour orange, and a weakness for Bourbons — always with tea, and never just one. For me, it’s the simple pleasures that help me feel content.

 

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