Sometimes life can feel difficult to navigate, and there may be times when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lost, isolated or simply unsure of what to do next. You may have been managing for a long time, putting other people first, or telling yourself that you should be able to cope. Sometimes, we can know that something isn’t quite right without being able to put our finger on exactly what it is.

I am an experienced, qualified and accredited integrative counsellor. I qualified in 2009 and am accredited with the ISPC. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and at very different points in their lives.

I believe that counselling is not about being given advice or being told what you should do. It is about having a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can explore what is happening for you, understand yourself more clearly and begin to find a way forward that feels right for you.

Most importantly, I believe you are the expert on your own life.

My approach is warm, compassionate and down to earth. I want you to feel that you can come as you are, without needing to have everything worked out before you arrive. There is no expectation that you need to have the ‘right’ words or know exactly what you want to talk about. Sometimes we simply start with what is troubling you today and work from there.

As an integrative counsellor, I draw on different therapeutic approaches and tailor the way I work to you as an individual. No two people are the same, and I don’t believe counselling should be a one-size-fits-all experience.

For me, the relationship we build is central to the counselling process. Feeling safe enough to be honest, to explore difficult thoughts and feelings, and sometimes to say the things you may not feel able to say elsewhere can be incredibly important. I will listen without judgement and with genuine curiosity about your experience.

Throughout my career, I have worked with people experiencing a wide range of difficulties and life circumstances, including:

• Anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed
• Bereavement, grief and loss
• Chronic health conditions, including multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions
• Living with or approaching the end of life
• Relationship difficulties
• Supporting or caring for someone with dementia
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Questions around identity and sense of self
• Menopause and the emotional impact of hormonal change
• Work-related stress and pressure
• Living abroad and adjusting to life away from home
• Loneliness and isolation
• Major life changes and periods of uncertainty

An area that I am am interested in is menopause and the emotional and psychological impact it can have. Menopause can affect much more than physical health. Changes in confidence, identity, relationships, mood and work can sometimes leave us wondering what has happened to the person we used to be. I have a particular interest in supporting people through this stage of life and have written a self-help guide based, in part, on my own experience of menopause. I understand how important it can be to have somewhere you can talk openly, without embarrassment or judgement. My aim is to offer a space to explore what menopause means for you and help you reconnect with yourself and your confidence.

Much of my counselling work has involved supporting people through circumstances they haven’t necessarily chosen, including chronic health conditions, caring for others, bereavement, relationship changes, work pressures and moving abroad. Life doesn’t always follow the path we expected. Sometimes we need support to adjust to a new reality, grieve what has changed, or rediscover who we are within it. I am particularly interested in helping people recognise their strengths and potential, even when those things may feel difficult to see for themselves.

Alongside my counselling work, I have a background in psychology and teaching and have taught counselling to trainee counsellors. Teaching has given me a further appreciation of how different people understand and experience the world, and of the importance of developing self-awareness, curiosity and compassion. I have also continued to develop my own understanding and experience throughout my career. I believe that being a counsellor doesn’t mean having all the answers. We are human too.

I think it is important that counselling feels like a genuine human connection rather than a clinical process where you feel you are being assessed or analysed.

I offer counselling online and by telephone, giving you the flexibility to choose a format that feels comfortable for you. Our sessions will be your time. You may want to talk through something that has happened recently, explore patterns that seem to keep repeating, make sense of difficult feelings, or simply have somewhere to put down some of the things you’ve been carrying.
We can explore what is happening at a pace that feels manageable for you.

There may be times when counselling involves difficult conversations or uncomfortable emotions. There may also be moments of humour, relief, insight and even surprise. Being human is complicated, and I don’t believe we need to pretend otherwise. I won’t judge you, tell you what you should do or try to fit you into a particular box. Instead, I will work alongside you to help you understand yourself, recognise your strengths and consider what you want your life to look and feel like.

I feel particularly passionate about is helping people reconnect with their potential. When our confidence has been knocked, it can be easy to lose sight of what we are capable of. We can become defined by our circumstances, responsibilities, health, relationships or the expectations of others. Counselling can offer an opportunity to step back and explore who you are, what matters to you and what you might want for your life.

Making the decision to contact a counsellor can feel like a big step, particularly if you have never had counselling before.
You don’t need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch. We can have an initial conversation about what is bringing you to counselling and what you are hoping for. My role is not to judge your experiences or tell you how you should feel. It is to listen, understand and support you as you explore what is happening in your life.

If you feel that you might benefit from having someone alongside you, I would be very happy to hear from you.
You don’t have to have the words all figured out.

We can start where you are.