A slightly longer introduction
If you're here, then I’m guessing it might be helpful to learn a little more about me and whether we would be a good fit.
I’m a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), my membership number is NCS24-00125. To hold a professional membership means that among other things, I adhere to their ethical framework and maintain my continued professional development.
I'm trained as an integrative therapist and I hold an Advanced Diploma in Counselling, which means I bring a range of different counselling theories and practices into every session and use these to support you when we work together.
The main disciplines I use are Person-Centred, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Transactional Analysis (TA).
It is not necessary to understand the nuances of these modalities, but I would encourage you to let me know what does and doesn't feel right as we move forward. This way I can lean into the practices which suit you, or if an approach doesn't bear fruit, we can simply dial that down.
For instance, creative exercises work really well for some people, they make others want to run for the hills.
Sharing theory and models can validate what some people are feeling by showing that it’s a universal experience which has been studied and measured. For others, theory can get in the way of their story and shift the dynamic uncomfortably.
As we work together, I’ll check in with you about what is and isn’t working, whether the pace is right for you, and if the direction we’re taking is supporting you in the way you need.
I largely avoid self-disclosure. This means I rarely talk about myself or my personal experiences in sessions. There are some rare examples of when I do share but only when I believe sharing my experience will serve you.
But ahead of working together, it might be helpful to hear how I got here.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent my time working in the charity sector supporting commercial activities. The majority of my work was not in training people to do their job better, but in understanding the emotional hurdles which were getting in their way and helping people to work around them. These hurdles were unique to everyone I worked with but often the solutions started with them being listened to.
I completed the level 2 and 3 counselling courses to support me in my role working with charity leaders in navigating those hurdles. By the time I’d completed them, I knew that I wanted to continue in this direction so I embarked on the 2 year, level 4 course to become a counsellor.
Those 2 years were not just about learning the theories, but also having the chance to unpack a lot of my own ‘stuff’ in counseling and conversations. One of the greatest gifts for me was having a group of peers who all became friends, supporting me through this life changing process.
And finally, should it be relevant as to where I stand on the 'Dog or Cat person' debate, meet Scout.
She filled a 30 year, dog shaped hole in my life and completed my family in a way none of us saw coming. If you and I bump into each other outside the office, the likelihood is that Scout and I will be walking somewhere where she can be off her lead, snootling around in the woods.
She is 80% well trained and 20% chaos (which means you will never meet her in the office). And should our paths cross, it will most definitely be at the point where her chaotic side is getting the better of the two of us.
