Mission Statement
To provide a safe non judgemental space, in which to allow people in distress, to explore difficulties, and harness the power of therapy, to find personal growth, at an affordable rate.
Person Centered Counselling
About Me
I have been a qualified Counsellor for 13 years and worked within the NHS, voluntary sector and privately. I truly believe that everyone can benefit from counselling at some point in their life. We look after our physical well being, by eating well and exercising but often neglect our mental well being. The power of working therapeutically cannot be underestimated, and can be very freeing, if we take a leap of faith. Whatever has led you to consider counselling, sitting with a non judgemental person can be very healing. Most of our life we avoid feelings, experiences and situations, and repeat our patterns without even realising we are doing so. Counselling can help explore why we are the way we are, understand our self better and enact change. This ultimately leads us to feel less helpless and more in control of our life and choices. I work in a Person Centred model of therapy, believing the client has all the answers within, and needs the right conditions to enable change to happen. I also draw on CBT techniques and transactional analysis theory if appropriate, which has been enhanced by further training.
Areas of interest/skills/experience
Whilst as a Person Centred Counsellor I can work with any issue in therapy, my areas of interest and specialism are: Trauma, Loss and Bereavement, Cancer Diagnosis, Anger Management and Relationship Issues. I particularly like working with men who find it challenging coming to therapy to start with. These are the people I see most benefit from it and change quicker. It can be a cathartic experience talking to someone who will listen and not feel judged. Often people begin therapy when there is a sense that they cannot continue living the way that they are. We begin the work of building the jigsaw of their life, and understanding how "everything" is linked.
I have vast experience in working with victims of domestic abuse and spent three years supporting women in a Counselling / advocacy role in a local domestic violence charity. I have undertaken specialist Women's Aid Training in this area. Domestic violence destroys a person from within, and it can take years to understand and rebuild yourself. Counselling can help do this.
I have worked within the NHS supporting people with cancer diagnosis, and or their family members. Working with people to try and understand their diagnosis, and how to move forward. Often a life changing event like a cancer diagnosis is the catalyst to look within and understand ourselves better. In fact any event can be the catalyst for change. I have further training in grief, loss and bereavement.
During my work in private practice I have dealt with a vast array of presenting issues - what I find as a counsellor is the presenting issue is what brings people to counselling, but the discoveries about themselves is what they take away. Gaining more self awareness, and understanding. Usually the trigger for counselling is when things have become too much, everything feels entwined and counselling helps to unpick it all. It still amazes me how little people know themselves, and their interactions are automated. Exploring the self and seeing people realise and understand their life better is a very powerful experience to watch and support.
I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Masters Level - John Moores University
Further training in CBT Theory and Practice - John Moores University
Women's Aid - Tackling and Preventing Domestic Abuse
Diploma in Grief, Loss and Bereavement
Diploma in Addiction Counselling
101 Transactional Analysis Training
I facilitate women's personal development workshops, including 'exploring our relationship to alcohol'
"living with ADHD"
I volunteered as a telephone counsellor at Childline for 3 years
I work to and adhere to BACP's ethical framework for codes and standards of practice
A small and safe groupwork program for women, who want to explore their relationship with alcohol. Do you feel you want to look at why you are drinking, what the triggers are, and understand why it's becoming a potential problem for you. Many people feel this way about their drinking but don't feel they fit into the 'AA' type categories. AA is a model designed by men for men. We look at our relationship with alcohol from a women's perspective, addressing our roles and identity as a woman. Understanding the connections to alcohol goes far back into our childhood, can help us understand why we use it to self medicate, relieve stress, and rewire our brains to view it differently. The small group sessions are very open with some structured work that enables us to reflect on our beliefs about alcohol, and as a woman. We work outside the medicalised model of alcohol abuse being a disease. These sessions are suitable for women who have identified they may have an issue, and are willing to look at this in more depth, but perhaps don't feel they fit into the standard definition of 'alcoholic or functioning alcoholic'. Groups are limited to between 6 and 8, and run on a Sunday early evening, at Absolute Yoga studio, Crosby, Liverpool . Whilst working in a group may feel daunting, I have found the shared understanding, support and encouragement to be part of the catalyst for change. Working therapeutically this way with other women can be extremely empowering. Many people find themself drinking alone because they feel disconnected, when ironically the thing that led them to drink is usually to disconnect from something painful. The insight this course brings to your relationship to alcohol can be the start point of greater self awareness in other areas of your life. The course also involves yoga and movement therapy, and is Co-facilitated with my colleague who is a trauma informed yoga specialist. Please contact me for more information on this course which is due to start soon.
No Matter the issue counselling can assist in coming through the other side
Helping one person may not change the whole world, but it may change the world of that person
Investment Price
I truly believe in the benefits of Counselling and that it should be affordable and sustainable. My price for a 60 min session is £40. You can block book 5 sessions for £180, lowering the price per session to £36. You can decide after the first session if this is what you would like to do, no obligation.
I offer a free telephone consultation, to make contact and discuss any concerns or issues, and see if we can work together.
