About Me

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)