About Me

Therapy is about sharing your life, your world and often having some very difficult conversations. Above anything else, it is important that you feel safe to talk with me about these things and that you feel I am the right person to support you.

I have been working in mental health services for over 10 years, both in the NHS, Voluntary Sector and Private Sector. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. I am also passionate about research, keeping up to date with the evidence base, and improving people's experience of healthcare, which has included conducting and publishing my own research.

My Approach

The most important aspect of my approach is that I am a fellow human-being. Whilst I have trained and worked in mental health for many years, I have been a human being even longer! I too experience emotions and life experiences and I recognise how difficult these can be to navigate. I try to do everything in collaboration with you, where we can create goals together and focus on the things that we both feel are important for you to move forwards.

I have an open and casual style to therapy. My goal is always to use the evidence-base to help you to meet your goals, whilst removing the jargon and tailoring the therapy to suit you. I will always try to be open, honest and transparent with you, which I hope will allow you to let me know when I have understood you and ensure you feel heard and listened to.

I see a big part of my role in not just listening to you, but also in challenging you. We often develop patterns of behaving and responding to the world that can contribute to us feeling 'stuck'. This is why our relationship is important for us to develop so that you can trust me to gently challenge you and together, we can try new approaches and strategies to overcome barriers that you may be facing.

No matter what it is you are seeking therapy for, your courage to be thinking about tackling your difficulties is admirable. I will never underestimate the privilege it is for me to be invited into your life and to support you to make the changes you want.

"When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending." Brené Brown

Qualifications and Experience

I have a 1st class Honors Degree in Psychology (Plymouth University) and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (University of Southampton) and I am registered with the HCPC.

I have worked in mental health services for 10 years. Within the NHS, I have worked across England and Wales initially in older adult services both inpatient and community services. I have experience in supporting older people manage severe and enduring mental health difficulties, as well as with individuals and families who are struggling with cognitive difficulties, particularly Dementia. My research interests have been focussed on

understanding the therapeutic needs of older people and adapting therapy to meet these.

More recently, I have focussed on working with children, adolescents and families. I have a strong interest in attachment and relational ways of working with young people and families.

Within third sector organisations, I have worked in domestic violence and bereavement services. This has given me experience in working across diverse settings.

Across all ages, I use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Third Wave psychological approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to support people who may be experiencing difficulties linked to:

Life Transitions
Burnout
Self-Esteem
Relationships/attachment difficulties
Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Trauma
Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
Other Issues

I tend to use a transdiagnostic approach to therapy, which means I will use a range of therapies tailored to your individual needs. I will be honest with you if I feel a different therapy would be most suited to your goals and I can signpost you to someone who may be better able to support you.

I am constantly updating my training and I am dedicated to my own continuing professional development (also a requirement of sustaining my professional registration).