About ME »

I began Counselling in 2001 at Network Counselling in Bristol and after qualifying from The University of West of England in 2005 set up in private practice.

I have experience of over 1500 hours worth of client contact time and have worked with many issues including:
Depression Stress Anger Bereavement	Asperger's & Autism Redundancy Relationships Singleness

I work with adults, young people and couples. I am keen to help families on low incomes and provide counselling for a charity working with young offenders and their families.

Since 2008 I have worked as a Tutor on a Counselling Skills course accredited with the University of Gloucester training student Counsellors.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (working toward accreditation)

Personal
I am married with a large family that includes two children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Having been divorced and a single parent and then remarried with a large and vibrant blended family I feel well acquainted with some of the difficulties that arise when couples split up and the effect on the children. As well as some of the ups and downs that can be experienced in a step family. I have also known my share of suffering and depression in my life and how it 'feels' to receive counselling.

I live in Bradley Stoke in South Gloucestershire and my hobbies include collecting funny stories, anecdotes and wise sayings: some of which I hope rub off on me! I am not sure my students or family would agree!

Approach
I am a Person-Centred Counsellor and while I am also informed by other models of counselling particularly CBT and Brief Solution Focused, I firmly believe that each of us has the capacity to grow beyond any current difficulties and my aim is to provide the right conditions for healing and growth to occur. My aim is to be a fellow traveller in whom each of my clients can trust. This to me is more important than the schemes or techniques I might use.