I originally trained as a counsellor at Goldsmith’s College University of London (1995) where I was awarded a Certificate in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling. At the time I was working as a staff and student counsellor and also as a lay chaplain in a S.E. London Roman Catholic 6th Form College. I worked here for five years and loved it. My supervision during these years was with a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist at the University of London Counselling Service. During this part of my life I was fortunate to be subsidised in three times a week psychoanalytic therapy. This gave me a deep personal appreciation for psychodynamic theory and practice and has paradoxically informed my non-regressive way of working as a humanistic therapist with transference dynamics.

Following my Certificate I began steps to train as a child psychotherapist and studied for two years with The Lincoln Centre and Institute for Psychotherapy (Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust) where I completed my Observational Studies. I only partly finished my MA in Observational Studies and the Application of Psychoanalytic Concepts to Children, Families and Infants (1997) because I became pregnant half way through this training and due to obstetric issues I was unable to complete this degree. I learned so much from my weekly infant observation of a new born baby within the family home, it was a huge privilege. My psychoanalytic studies provided me with a core foundation for my present work as a relationally focused, developmentally based psychotherapist working with adults who are struggling with the lasting impact of adverse childhood experiences.

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In 2008 I qualified as a Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnotherapy and Time-Line Therapy with Collette White who was trained with Tad James. NLP is an integrative system based on Gestalt theory, Hypnotherapy and Family Systems therapy. I think NLP and hypnotherapy offer practical and creative strategies for change and growth and are easy to learn and practice within your life. The 'Presuppositions' of NLP are neat and are consistent with my humanistic practice as a therapist.

In Nottingham I worked as a student counsellor at an FE College and since qualifying from the MSc Integrative Psychotherapy (2014) at The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI), I have worked full time in private practice with individuals and more recently couples. I also provide clinical supervision for qualified and in-training therapists, both individually and in groups. I also provide academic supervision and pastoral supervision for people with leadership roles. I completed my Diploma in Integrative Supervision with SPTI in 2020 but I have been supervising for much longer.

My MSc research was 'A descriptive phenomenological inquiry into the client’s experience of discovering and reconnecting with hidden aspects-of-self within the context of Humanistic-Integrative Psychotherapy'. In a way this research built on my earlier interest in becoming a child therapist except instead of working with actual infants and children I have become specialised in working with adults with 'inner child' parts. I have created an approach to working with the whole person to facilitate recovery, growth and self-actualisation. This inner child approach is three-pronged: grow the adult, liberate the eternal inner child and connect compassionately with all the wounded inner child parts.

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I have published three times in the BACP Private Practice Journal where I share how I use NLP and hypnotherapy Integratively as part of my practice and where I also explore how I use the inner child metaphor within my work.

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I used to have a regular space in my local paper, the Nottingham Post, around mental healthiness and I am passionate about helping people to understand how to care for themselves and make whatever changes they can to improve their wellbeing within all the various systemic challenges and constraints.

 

I previously worked as a Magistrate in the Adult, Youth and Community Courts and I was a Magistrate Member of the Police Authority where I was Chair of Equalities. Inclusive practice and a respect for autonomy and difference is fundamental to how I seek to work as a therapist.

I have two degree's from Heythrop College, University of London: BA(Hons) Philosophy and Theology (1987) and MTh Christian Doctrine (1989). More recently I completed an introductory training in Ignatian Spiritual Accompaniment. Spirituality is an important part of my life journey and I have a special soft spot for the life and teachings of Jesus but less so for the church as an institution. I am a respecter of faith and no faith alike and love to celebrate difference and diversity.

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Since I was 16  have had a consistent appreciation for yoga and the importance of being fully embodied. Yoga as a regular practice has been one of the most important gifts to my own mental health and wellbeing. In more recent times neuroscience and polyvagal theory has helped to explain why yoga is so good for us. I work holistically which means paying attention to our bodies and mind as indivisible and one; I have never met a disembodied individual.

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In 2023 I qualified with a Certificate in Group Facilitation with the Gestalt Centre London and this has added richness to my facilitation of groups and workshops. Over the past couple of years I have enjoyed and learned a lot from my experience as a client engaging in group psychodrama and as a supervisee engaging in group psychodrama supervision.

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My next learning journey is likely to be around sexuality and relationships with a special interest in couples who have come from celibate backgrounds before marriage and are finding sexual intimacy challenging.