Finder

Specialises in

• Counselling

Offers

• Face-to-face consultations
• Video and telephone consultations

About me

I have 24 years' experience as a therapist having worked in the voluntary and charity sector; secondary schools; Universities (with both staff and students); and within IAPT / NHS psychological counselling services.

I aim to relate to, connect with, understand and treat you as a whole person who encounters difficulties and concerns, rather than diagnosing or pathologizing what is ''wrong'' with you or taking the view that you are inherently ''flawed'' or ''disordered''. You are more than a set of ''problems''.

I see my client's difficulties as meaningful and understandable responses to life and the problems they face. So often our feelings and perceptions are totally reasonable in relation to our circumstances. Sometimes we feel especially vulnerable and at a low ebb and don't always know why. It would be unusual and strange if we did not feel confusion, distress, anger, fear, sadness and disappointment in light of many of the events and scenarios which arise throughout our lives; the demands we face and the fluctuations in our personal energy and resources.

Such responses are totally human and not ''mad'', ''weak'' or signs of ''failure''.

Sudden, unexpected loss or major change can cause profound shock and de-stabilisation, leaving us seeking to ''make sense'' of life and our identity.

Many of our difficulties have their roots in our early familial relationships and what we learn from our family of origin. It can be very useful, sometimes essential to explore how these patterns shape our relationships with others over time, often with the same issues repeating themselves across relationships, families and even generations.

It can also be equally as important to just be in the present, the ''here and now'', to address what has arisen and is affecting us irrespective of the long-term past.

Many males are reluctant or even afraid to speak out, express themselves in general or seek counselling in a contemporary culture in which frequently designates and denigrates their perspectives and experience as ''toxic''. I seek to redress this cultural imbalance, actively make space for men and respect both genders.

We can all be hurt and hurt others, we all try our best with regards to the hand we have been dealt, what we have and know. Making sense of our thoughts and feelings, who we are, have been, may seek to be, is a task which faces most humans at some point, or for many of us, on a recurring basis throughout life.

Relationships can be extremely challenging and exhausting as well as rewarding for all of us. Interpersonal difficulties and broken connection are at the heart of many of the difficulties we call anxiety, depression and mental health.

Exploring such issues and struggles as previously outlined with a safe, supportive, attentive other in a non-judgmental environment opens the door to true understanding and foundational change, therefore I aim to work with you collaboratively, with warmth and compassion toward and interest in what makes you the unique individual you are; to help you grow in self-understanding, personal acceptance, health and wellbeing.

As well as a 'qualified professional' I hope I am a down to earth human being who works with heart as well as head, guts as well as brain. It's okay for you to do the same, to laugh as well as to cry, to be angry and frustrated, to be all you are in our sessions.

Areas of interest

I offer Person Centred, Humanistic and Integrative counselling.

I work with individual adult clients aged 18 +, and offer face to face, video / online and telephone counselling.

PLEASE NOTE - I AM ABLE TO OFFER VIRUTAL or ONLINE COUNSELLING EVERY WEEKDAY, BUT IN PERSON SESSIONS ONLY ON MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY (until early afternoon on Wednesdays).

Abuse; Adjustment; Aging; Anxiety; Bereavement; Boundaries; Chronic and long term illness; Child related issues; Class; Cultural issues; Depression; Divorce and separation; Disability; Estrangement; Ex Forces; Faith / belief / Religion, Spirituality; Family issues; Grief / Loss; Health; Identity; Life transitions / change; Meaning; Menopause / Peri-Menopause; Men's issues; Mood disorder; Personal development, Purpose and Personal value; Redundancy; Relationships; Self Esteem, Service Veterans; Stress, Work / Employment related issues.