MSc Counselling Psychology, Keele University 2010-12.
Psychology BSc (Hons). Leeds University 1982
Diploma in Applied Social Studies, CQSW. Leeds University 1987
Diploma in Group Analysis, Group Analysis North, 2016.
I have attended an extensive range of short courses and training conferences, including:
Self-harm in adolescence, Personal Construct Psychotherapy, Psycho-dynamic Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Surviving childhood sexual abuse, Cognitive–analytic therapy (CAT), Safeguarding Children & Young People.
Experience
As well as private practice, I have many years experience of working with people in a variety of social work and NHS settings, as a Counsellor, Social Worker and Advocate. I also work for part of each week as a lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Staffordshire University, helping train others to become professional counsellors. I have managed therapeutic residential homes for adolescents with complex problems. I have worked extensively with both adult and adolescent survivors of child sexual abuse.
I’m not a fan of labels and will happily discuss whatever it is you wish to bring to the initial consultation. This could be about anxiety, loss,anger, feeling depressed, relationship difficulties, how you feel about yourself and where your life is headed, in fact anything that you would like to explore in a safe and supportive space.You may come with a particular mental health diagnosis you wish to explore and perhaps move away from. After our first meeting, we will decide jointly if working together will be helpful for you at this time. I work with people with a wide range of issues that impact on them in different ways. Some may have just happened, some may go right back to early childhood.
Young People: I have many years experience working with young people aged 11 and upwards. If you have a young person about whom you are concerned I am happy to discuss their needs with you, and to work with them individually if appropriate.
“ You need not be the victim of your biography.” (Kelly, 1955)
My practice and values are grounded in what is known as the person-centred tradition, with particular emphasis on Personal Construct Psychology. This means that you are the expert on your own life and it’s challenges. I will not ‘do’ therapy ‘to’ you, but rather we will work together to explore and discover new ways forward. I am creative, and employ of a range of approaches you may find useful. Rather than get too technical here, this is something we could discuss when we first meet. Whatever you decide will be most useful, you will find me respectful, supportive, challenging and a safe, confidential listener. I work with clients from a one-off session, to typically 8 to 12 sessions, to several years.It all depends on your needs and wishes. More than any theory or technique, we bring ourselves to therapeutic work, and I look forward to meeting you and seeing how we get on. I only use approaches which extensive research has shown to be effective. I do not use 'alternative' therapies.
Here is an outline of some of the approaches I draw on:
Person Centred Counselling
Following on from the pioneering work of Carl Rogers, this is still the most widely used approach in use today. The counsellor strives to offer their clients the core conditions which will enable their relationship to be one which will help the client to feel safe, accepted and supported. From childhood onwards, we can be subject to criticism and rejection, resulting in a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. We can lose sight of what we truly want from life, and wear 'masks' which hide our true feelings and prevent real relationships from developing.This approach aims to put you more fully in touch with your potential, to give you the chance to grow and become the person you want to be.
Personal Construct Psychology (PCP)
Whilst grounded in the same values as the person-centred approach, George Kelly's PCP approach is more structured and helps you examine how you have made sense of the world in your own unique way. By being helped to look at your personal constructs, you can gain insight into why and how your difficulties have come about, and even more importantly, how you can safely experiment with how to change.
Psycho-dynamic Counselling
The oldest form of therapy, which traces its roots all the way back to Freud. Our early childhood experiences have set patterns which shape how we relate to others and feel about ourselves. The most anxiety provoking aspects of our emotional life can remain partly or completely hidden from us (unconscious) although the consequences do not! Together, the counsellor and client explore how the client relates to self and others. In the counselling relationship these patterns become clearer to the client, who can experience both insight and freedom, and so be freer to move on from limiting, harmful, or self-defeating ways of being.
Clinical supervision for practitioners
All counsellors and therapists who work to professional ethical standards (such as those set out by the BACP or UKCP) must have regular supervision to ensure their work is safe and carried out to the highest possible standards; also to esure they attend to their own self-care and ongoing professional development.
I have many years experience of supervising both individuals and teams engaged in direct therapeutic work, as well as when conducting counselling research at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Like therapy itself, supervision relies for its efficacy on a relationship based on trust and mutual respect- a place where sucess can be celabrated and challenge and development nurtured in a safe enough holding space.
My approach to supervision is heavily influenced by psychodynamic thinking and practice, and aims to help practitioners to develop both as individuals and as therapists. Supervisors also have responsibility to ensure ethical practice.
Please contact me to discuss your supervision needs. I have differential rates for qualified and student counsellors.