How I work...

My approach is gentle, supportive and respectful and my aim is to offer you, the client, a confidential, safe, warm and non-judgmental environment in which to share and explore your inner thoughts and feelings. I work integratively, principally using either Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but incorporating other theoretical models as appropriate for my client’s needs (BACP Explanation of Theoretical Approaches).

I am a Senior Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy which is one of the main governing bodies of the counselling profession and work under their guidelines and codes of ethics of safe practice. Additionally I am Accredited with the Association of Christian Counsellors. In order to help ensure that therapeutic standards are maintained I receive regular supervision.

I suggest to all prospective clients that we have an initial consultation. This provides both of us with an opportunity to decide whether we wish to work together. We would then agree an appropriate number of sessions and at the end of this period, we jointly assess progress and decide what further action may be needed. Each session lasts for one hour, usually on a weekly basis.

I see individuals and couples by appointment only.

Qualifications

  • D.Psych
  • M.A.
  • MBACP (Snr Accred)
  • C-PCC
  • FD Couns. (Open)
  • Dip. Sup
  • Dip. Couns. (CPCAB)
  • Dip. In CBT (CPCAB)
  • B A Hons (Open)
  • Dip. App SS (Open)

Theoretical Modalities

Person Centred Therapy (PCT) is a form of talking counselling/psychotherapy developed by well-known psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940’s and 1950’s. It is one of the most widely used models in counselling/psychotherapy. My aim when working in a PCT way is to create a non-judgmental environment by showing empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence (genuineness) towards my clients. Working in this non-directive way enables the client to gain insights and find solutions to their problems while being supported and encouraged

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a form of counselling/psychotherapy that aims to retrain a person’s way of thinking to help them deal with problematic stressful situations. The National Institue for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBT for all of the following conditions

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating Disorders

CBT is based around the rationale that the way we think about a situation affects the way that we act. The way that we act then affects the way we think and feel. The key therefore is to change both thinking (cognition) and behaviour at the same time

I am the Programme Leader for the M.A. in Therapeutic Counselling & Psychotherapy at Waverley Abbey College. I am also able to offer shorter training courses or one day workshops on Counselling and Supervision related subjects to other organisations. Please contact me for further details.

Having spent much of my adult life studying I am a firm believer in life-long learning and am passionate about inspiring others to reach their potential.