How I work

I find that each person brings a unique set of needs, values, and lived experiences to therapy, so a bespoke approach is required. As an integrative therapist, I am trained to combine a wide range of therapeutic approaches in a way that is most appropriate for you. We may explore your early life and its impact on you, we may work with unconscious material, we may look at your relationship to your social and cultural environment, we may work directly with emotions in the body, or we may work creatively using colours, images, words, music, etc.

I believe we are profoundly impacted by our experiences in relationships. The quality of our relationships affects the way our brain and nervous system develop, our ability to feel and process emotions, and to connect with one another. My practice is informed by the notion that healing also happens in relationship.

I will take the time to understand the concerns which brought you to therapy from your perspective. I will guide you to develop some deeper understanding, and a sense of empowerment and choice around the things that trouble you. Any exploration of challenging or painful material requires a safe enough space for you to open up, which is why I prioritise developing a strong and trusting working alliance.

While I bring a certain expertise, you are the ultimate expert on you, so we will work together to find a strategy that makes sense and feels right for you. Therapy with me is a dialogue, in which we both have a voice, and permission to be who we are. The work will be regularly reviewed to ensure it meets your needs, and works for your circumstances.

Anti-oppressive practice

I believe therapy has a role to play in addressing the inequalities and power hierarchies within society. I aim to hold awareness of the differences and similarities between us, and to be sensitive to your intersectional needs. It is my firm belief that no human identity (i.e. race, sexuality, gender, etc) is better than another, and no identity requires changing or fixing. I offer affirmative care only as a matter of principle. There can be joy in difference, and we belong when we are accepted for our uniqueness, not our fitting in.

To make my service more accessible, I offer 20% of my schedule at a concessionary rate. This can be agreed by negotiation.

Collection of books on the subject of therapy and personal development.

Qualifications and experience

I hold a postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre (a pioneer in integrative counselling), quality assured by the Quality Assurance Agency for higher education, and accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), of which I am a registered member.

I hold a 1st class Bachelor of Science with Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Bristol, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I have completed short courses in Mindfulness-based therapy (offered by West London NHS Trust), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; offered by leaders in the field: Richard Bennett and Joe Oliver). I am pursuing further training in relationship therapy, group therapy, and psychosexual therapy.

I have worked in a variety of client-facing clinical roles in mental health services within the NHS, private and charity sectors, and the criminal justice system. I was a healthcare assistant at the Priory Hospital Roehampton, assistant clinical psychologist in West London NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Trust, forensic mental health practitioner at Together for Mental Wellbeing, and therapist at the Minster Centre Psychotherapy and Counselling Service, and an NHS complex depression, anxiety and trauma service.

Areas I can support with include

Abuse
Addictive and compulsive behaviours
Anger
Anxiety
Body image
Community and belonging
Conflict resolution
Creativity and creative blocks
Dating
Depression
Discrimination and oppression
Divorce and separation
Eating issues
Estrangement
Family relationships
Finding purpose and meaning
Friendship
Gender and sexual identity
Grief
Health anxiety
Immigration and dual heritage
Inner child work

Loneliness and isolation
Loss and bereavement
Low mood
Menstruation
Non-traditional relationship styles
Panic attacks
Psycho-somatic concerns
Reproductive health
Romantic relationships
Self-esteem and self-worth
Self-harm
Sex and sexual concerns
Shame
Spirituality
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma
Work and money

Please note I do not currently offer therapy to people under the age of 18, families, or couples.

Collection of therapy books, fiction, and non-fiction..

Collection of therapy books, textbooks, fiction, poetry.

Ethical commitment

As a registered member of BACP, I am bound by their Ethical Framework, which includes a commitment to integrity, transparency, and respect.

The BACP register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for health and social care, which means I am audited to ensure I am fit to practice, and held accountable to high regulatory standards.

I am DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and I hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate, indicating I am fit to work with vulnerable individuals.

I hold professional indemnity and liability insurance, which covers me for the full scope of my practice.

My work is regularly supervised by a more senior practitioner to ensure that it is safe, ethical and effective. My supervisor is registered with BACP and UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy), and as such they are bound by the same confidentiality rules as myself.

I engage in continued professional development, so that my practice continues to improve and reflect the latest research.

Self-care is an essential part of ethical practice for therapists, and as such, I engage in weekly personal therapy and a range of other resources to remain well enough to offer you the best quality of presence and care.