Meet the Counsellor

Certain personal qualities are helpful in this work. People say that I am quiet, calm, and make them feel safe, but I am also strong in that I have the courage needed to stay with you when you face even the greatest challenges.

I like helping people, and to see them overcome hardships gives me a real buzz. I began helping others when young, as my father had suffered a serious stroke and I tried to support him with his speech therapy.

During my early adult life, I lost a few friends to suicide and I had tried to help and didn't have the skills at the time.

I began working with people and I noticed they often talked openly to me. I realised I was a good listener and that my training to be a counsellor would give me the skills I had lacked earlier to help others - so that's what I did.

I really love doing this work but understand fear of stigma can make coming to counselling seem rather daunting. I will do my best to make you feel at ease so that your counselling is as effective as possible.

I see difficulties as the start of a learning experience, and rather than judge you, I respect you for your struggle to make things right in your life.

"To reach something good, it is useful to have gone astray."

Saint Teresa of Avila
(16th Century Christian Mystic)

Qualifications

• Certificate in Counselling Studies
  2014, CPCAB
• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  2016, CPCAB
• Diploma in Online Counselling (Credit)
  2017, OCST

Training

My work is constantly being updated by regular training - Continual Professional Development. Here are a few of the courses I have completed.

• Working with Dreams and Imagery
  2014
• Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect
  2015, Core V5
• CEOP ThinkYouKnow
  2016
• Working with Trauma Short-Term
  2016
• BACP Relational Depth & Emotional Connection in Online Therapy
  2016, BACP
• Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness
  2016, Pathways, Barnsley
• Solution Focussed Approaches
  2016, Solution Focus Sheffield
• Identity
  2017, BACP
• Introduction to Gestalt
  2018, Gestalt Sheffield
• Grief Works: Stories of Death and Surviving
  2018, BACP
• Practical Counselling Strategies and Interventions in Addiction Work
  2018, BACP
• Loss-What Does Life Mean For Me Now?
  2018, BACP
• Man Up
  2019, BACP
• Working with Relational Trauma
  2019, PODS
• Understanding Eating Disorders
  2019, SYEDA
• Shame - Trauma
  2019, BACP
• How to Deal with a Narcissistic Personality
  2020, Mind Body Training Institute

Experience

My work in Occupational Health and also in a local family support centre has given me experience of working with a range of issues including anxiety, relationship problems, workplace stress and domestic abuse. I also work in learning disabilities.