Naturally warm, engaging and down to earth with the ability to create a safe, trusting environment, enabling clients to share difficult and sensitive material, knowing that it is held within a safe, confidential and professional space.
I have over 25 years of private practice experience based in the outskirts of Bristol in Downend.
Before training as a counsellor, I was a Registered General Nurse for over 20 years. I have had experience of running teams of community nurses in the inner city, as well as working in hospitals within a critical care environment, as well as on surgical / medical wards. It was during this time that I first developed my skills and interest in counselling. The importance of being able to connect with people experiencing physical and emotional trauma and loss was paramount.
I have two grown-up children, and throughout my life have also experienced similar issues that clients often bring to sessions.
Professional Experience & Qualifications
I work within the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) Ethical Framework I receive regular supervision for my work. I am also a Senior Accredited Counsellor.
I have worked with a wide variety of organisations including; University Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service, Alcohol and Drug Agency, Community Day Care Mental health unit and Cruse bereavement care, where I became an Accredited Bereavement Counsellor.
I also belong to a national network of therapists affiliated to a number of Employment Assisted Programme (EAP) companies, supporting people in the work place. I am also registered with, and see clients from, some of the leading private insurance health care providers.
Having been a Humanistic Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor for almost 25 years, throughout my original counselling training (at the Bath centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling) it was a compulsory element that students were in therapy for the whole length of the course. I have therefore had personal experience of receiving long and short term therapy first hand.
Qualifications
- Diploma in Humanistic integrative counselling
- BACP Senior Accredited counsellor
- Interaction advanced certificate in Relationship therapy COSRT approved
- Gestalt couples training
- Couples relational training
- Accredited Bereavement counsellor with Cruse bereavement care
- Registered general nurse (not practising)