Experience
I am a qualified counsellor with an MSc in Psycotherapy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Pyschotherapeutic Counselling - my chosen specialism was Gestalt Therapy. I am also a Professional Member of ACTO and have an accredited diploma in online counselling.
I’ve worked for a low cost counselling service (Sussex Community Counselling) in Newhaven, as well as for Cruse, and for a Survivors of Suicide Service.
My experience and interest covers a range of issues including:
anxiety and depression including low self esteem
trauma including PTSD, CPTSD and developmental trauma
neurodiversity including autism, ADHD/ADD, and dyslexia
relationship issues including problems with communication, conflict and connection
work issues including stress and burnout, feeling stuck and unfulfilled, and bullying
loss including bereavement, relationship breakdown, separation and divorce
transitions, for example mid-life, menopause, retirement
existential crisis: lack of meaning or purpose in your life, loss of motivation and direction
parenting
self-exploration and personal growth
I have a particular interest in working with:
people who are neurodiverse or who think they might be, and parents of children who are neurodiverse
people who have struggled either at school or boarding school and feel that it has negatively impacted their wellbeing and relationships
people who struggle with depression, trauma and/or anxiety
anyone who wants to develop or unlock their creative abilities
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy is a holistic, integrative and relational therapy that’s also founded in Zen Buddhist meditation practices. As your therapist I want to get to know how you experience the world, and I will encourage you — with whatever support you need from me — to focus deeply on your thoughts, feelings and embodied sensations so that you deepen your self-knowledge as you share these experiences with me. In gestalt therapy we may use gentle ‘experiments’ as well as exploring your dreams as other ways to develop your awareness and understanding of yourself.
The counselling research shows that, over and above which modality the therapist practices, it is the therapeutic relationship that heals. So your relationship with me, in the here and now of the therapy session, may be the focus of some of the work. We may also look at your past relationships and explore how these affect your current perceptions and experience and the ways they may have left you with ‘unfinished business’ and fixed patterns and responses (fixed gestalts) that can at times be overwhelming and distressing.
Gestalt therapy is also founded on a deep acceptance of and compassion for each person, no matter their sexuality, gender, race, age, ability or beliefs. This also means that I respect your unique experience, and so our relationship is a collaboration that aims to enable you to begin to heal yourself.
Qualifications
MSc Psychotherapy (University of Brighton)
Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling (University of Brighton)
Diploma in Online Counselling (OCST) - ACTO accredited
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 2 Peer Mentoring and Peer Mentoring Progression
CPD
Training in Group Facilitation at the Gestalt Centre in London
CBT with Heart (Hemmings Field Associates)
Bodylistening Training (Brighton School of Embodied Therapy)
Cruse Awareness in Bereavement Care Foundation Course
SafeTALK and ASIST Suicide Awareness training
Professional Memberships
Registered member of the BACP - the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Professional member of ACTO - the Association of Counsellors and Therapists Online
