About Me
I am an experienced and qualified Psychotherapist with an Advanced Diploma in Client Centred Counselling and I have an ongoing commitment to training and personal growth. I respect the BACP code of ethics. Although based in Portsmouth, I practice online and work with clients from all over the U.K.
I have worked for many years with adults and young people in private practice, the voluntary sector and as a counsellor within the NHS Primary Care Service.
I work creatively in a way that suits each individual or couple.
"My intention is to listen, understand and help you come to a greater understanding of your unique world, your circumstances and how you can move forward."
"I believe in the uniqueness of each individual; Having a deep personal commitment to all aspects of equal opportunity and a respect for diversity."
Alongside my therapy work with individual clients and couples I work with groups providing training and workshops including; Confidence and assertiveness, anger management, working with sexual minority clients, sexuality, gay affirmative practice, volunteering and basic counselling skills.
I have been engaged to provide training by organisations in the voluntary sector, the NHS and the W.E.A.
I have recently worked with young offenders and vulnerable young people in a secure residential unit, working with individuals and small groups around anger management and behaviour change coupled with building confidence and self esteem.
This is what depression looks like:
ALL of us will be affected by mental health at sometime in our lives. At least one in three of us will experience mental health issues ourselves and all of us will know, love and care for someone experiencing mental health issues . However, it is often a hidden condition and men in particular still find it difficult to talk.
The biggest killer of young men in this country is suicide. Young men are four times more likely to take their own life than young women. This is a terrible statistic . In recent years there has been progress. Sportsmen and women , soldiers , police officers, firefighters and many others are beginning to talk openly about about their experiences and encouraging people to talk.
Princes Harry and William have made being open about mental health a priority for them while the likes of Freddie Flintoff and Professor Green have done some marvellous work with the organisation Mind, being open about their own mental health issues and making several documentaries on the subject. The boxer, Tyson Fury, has recently made a documentary where he talks openly about his battle with his mental health demons. The England international rugby player, Danny Cipriani has made an emotional video following the tragic death of his former girlfriend Caroline Flack, in which he talks about how he had confided in her about his mental health demons and the shame that he felt and is now encouraging everyone, to talk about their mental health, especially young men.
Mental health knows no boundaries, class, gender, ethnicity, age or sexuality . If you are looking at this website it will probably mean that either you or someone you know is struggling with some form of mental health issue. Don’t wait do something about it. Advice on mental health can be obtained from organisations such as the BACP and Mind. It really is good to talk and talking really does save lives.
Confidentiality Policy
For therapy to be effective the client must be able to develop trust in the therapist.
Confidentiality is key to this and is of paramount importance to me.
I consult in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
This means that everything that passes between us is kept strictly confidential except in rare and extreme circumstances, for instance if a child protection issue arose or if I had reason to believe that the client was a danger to themselves or to others I would need to consult.
If such a rare instance occured I would consult fully with the client.
All therapists have an ethical duty to access clinical supervision of their work, this I do, maintaining client anonymity at all times.
If you have any questions on this or any other matter regarding my practice I will be more than happy to discuss this with you either by telephone or at an initial assessment session.
