About Me
Background
After university I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I applied for lots of jobs, suffered lots of rejections, then 'fell into' a civil service role in London. I was in administrative support, then IT support. When technology progressed and we were able to access desktop computers without having to visit the user, I became disillusioned with the work. I soon realised that it was the interaction with people that I had enjoyed and that I missed. I found myself getting up from my desk to visit users just for the human contact.
It was time for a change.
Experience
Properly qualified counsellors must undergo at least 40 hours of personal therapy and 100 hours of client practice in training alone. In training, I counselled refugees; most of whom had suffered severe loss, trauma and violence. I also volunteered for an NHS bereavement service and for a local charity supporting young people's mental health.
I have a breadth and depth of experience, gained from several years consistent work in the public, charitable and voluntary sectors.
Between 2011 and 2017 I worked for a charity supporting young people's sexual and emotional health. I worked as a secondary school counsellor between 2014 and 2018 and worked as Clinical Lead for a young people's mental health charity between 2020 and 2023. I have also been in private practice since 2017, working with individuals and couples.
I also work with the Victims First Specialist Counselling Service to provide therapeutic interventions to victims of crime across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
If you have been a victim of crime and require support you can contact Victims First on 0300 1234 148 or by visiting www.victims-first.org.uk
Qualifications & Memberships
I am a qualified, Registered and Accredited BACP counsellor and have been practising since 2010. I am also a clinical counselling supervisor.
An Accredited Counsellor means that the BACP has deemed that my practice meets their higher standard as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner.
I have a level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and am committed to continuing professional development in order to broaden my skills and enhance my practice.
I am educated to degree level (MA Hons, History, 1990) and found my way to counselling in my late thirties.