Training, qualifications & experience

Until 2015 working in the NHS as a Psychological Therapist / Specialist Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor in an Acute Mental Health setting, I am a:
  • BACP Senior Accredited member (Supervisor), holding a
  • Masters degree in Counselling Supervision
  • BSc (Hons) degree in Integrative Counselling
  • BSc (Hons) degree in Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis
  • Post Graduate Diploma in CBT Advanced level
  • I am further registered with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP), and I am
  • Accredited with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS Accred).
  • I am an Associate Psychotherapist for The Psychology Company (https://thepsychologycompany.co.uk/)
  • I am also UKRCP registered which means my training has also met the standards required to gain entry onto the BACPAccredited Register (Registration No: 045332). This Register is approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care and provides assurance to clients that the counsellor offers good quality care. This is the Counselling equivalent to being registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
These accreditations and professional registrations mean that my practice is deemed to meet the standard of competent, ethical and independent practitioners (BACP, 2014).
I have long experience of working with NHS patients at all levels (and supervising other NHS clinicians), working in Private Practice at all levels (Counselling and Supervision), working for voluntary agencies (Counselling and Supervision), Employee Assistance Programmes, Insurance Companies etc., and can confidently assure you that whatever it is that brings you to counselling, I will be as well equipped as any appropriately placed counsellor to help you consider your issues. I am fully insured to practice.

I am an associate lecturer in counselling at a local university and facilitate men’s groups for men affected by cancer, and train other counsellors. I also supervise all level of counselling work including counsellors working in private practice, the NHS, third sector voluntary and GP referred organisations both on the mainland and the Island, Primary Care therapists, NHS Drug & Alcohol counsellors, Psychologists and Community Psychiatric Nurses. I also have long experience of offering group therapy, training other therapists on many counselling and therapy related issues (for example: CBT, OCD, Working with complexity, Mental health Assessment - when to refer, Counselling with Interpreters etc.) and facilitated the Doctors Reflective CBD group on the Isle of Wight for GPs, Consultant's SHOs and trainee Psychiatrists.

Gosh, I sound such a geek! There's more!

I am a fully qualified EMDR practitioner and if you are unsure what EMDR is, and you are suffering from any kind of trauma related problems (hyper-vigilance, flashbacks, nightmares, crying etc.) then do google it. It is an evidence based intervention ideally equipped to deal with trauma and post trauma.

I love to integrate CBT into how I work, and recognising the value of helpful tools, I often customise or design disorder specific help sheets with, and for my clients, that help them understand their problems better, and what maintains them. Some of these have been published on the now mainstream CBT website of downloadable tools for CBT therapists: www.get.gg.co.uk; one dealing with anxiety tolerance and the other, OCD repetitive symptoms. I'm sure there will be one or two more out soon. I recommend the website to you for many helpful concepts. It is free to check out and use. One of my specialist areas (mega - geek mode) is dealing with OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If you have it - or think you do and are struggling with obsessive thoughts and compulsions to repeat meaningless ritualised activities like checking, touching, counting, thinking or cleaning - or experiencing any kind of distressing unwanted thoughts (probably really disgusting, terrifying or revolting in nature) then there is a good chance that you have OCD, and hence ideal for treatment. (Most people think OCD is about cleaning and germs, and only sometimes is) so if this is you or you are getting any distressing unwanted thoughts or compulsions to repeat senseless actions - call me! I can help you make sense of it very quickly, and help you overcome your anxiety.
You can read above that I have experience of working with many different issues and within many different contexts, but I guess I am used to working with general client counselling issues like abuse, anxiety, unhappiness and stress, right through to complex, severe and enduring Mental Health clients, groups, supervision of other therapists individually and in groups and training other therapists.
My interests and experience include making change happen, working with complex cases, OCD, brief therapy, anxiety and depression, abuse and domestic violence, the effects of our past on our present - cause and effect rather than blame and judgement - working with Existential issues (er.. simply, that we are all going to die one day, and the effect that has on our existence.. sorry!) CBT and loads more.
I offer a detailed initial assessment session and am delighted to discuss your needs, wants and fears about therapy, and to take all the time needed to fully explain what is on offer and whether or not it is what you want. We can have a chat about it all on the phone first if that feels better. In some cases of course, counselling is not immediately appropriate, and an onward referral might be discussed and made.
I am used to working with complex cases sometimes over brief periods (6 - 20 weeks) and also offer longer term therapy if needs be, but rarely work with someone for more than a year (but very happy to if this is indicated).
The work that you do with me will be led by you; do not hesitate to call me for advice and a chat about what might be available or helpful for you.
I am rubbish at answerphones so if I do not pick up, please leave a brief text with your name and number, and I will call you back as soon as I can – or e-mail.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me!