After navigating challenges in life and finding the right support through talking therapy, I felt drawn to start my own journey in training to be a counsellor. I studied for 4 years back to back at Halesowen College. Gaining a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, a Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills and then a 2-year Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
The course required me to undertake many hours of personal counselling. There is also a compulsory supervised work placement of at least 100 of hours voluntary counselling. I completed around half of my hours in a General Medical Practice and the other half in a local agency that supports children and young people.
Following my formal training I have continued to complete specialist training courses in areas that interest me. Becoming an avid consumer of books, articles, journals and any other media that informs and supports my work and continuing professional development. I am an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and I adhere to their Ethical Framework for Counselling Professionals. The framework can be viewed here and it informs my work and any decisions that we may need to make in the course of our work together.
An area I have a particular interest in is neurodiversity and I am in the process (late in life) of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.
I am also particularly interested in gender, sexuality and relationship diversity. I have done a deep dive into this area and the social constructs we find ourselves at times restricted by. My mind is open in all areas and I am happy to validate and explore anything you would like to in a safe and confidential space.
Trauma recovery is also something that I am deeply curious about. In 2023 I undertook Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing training (EMDR). This is a fascinating and extremely effective treatment for people who have experienced trauma in their past that affects them in their present and their thoughts and feelings about their future. I am delighted to be able to offer this as a treatment to clients. You can find out more about EMDR here
One of my hobbies is my great fondness for animals and I have an extended family that includes tropical fish, back garden chickens and a most beautiful snake – Nagini! I lost my beautiful dog, Bella the Dobermann, early in 2019 and fully experienced the grief that follows losing a loving and faithful companion.
My dream is to one day have a therapeutic retreat on a hillside somewhere. A place where people can come to find themselves surrounded by the beauty and simplicity of nature.