My training started with my work as a voluntary telephone counsellor for Bristol Crisis Service for Women (BCSW) where I supported those who had issues with self-harm. This incredible experience encouraged me to explore how face to face counselling can help people move forward with their lives. I embarked on a 3 year training course with Bristol University to become a qualified counsellor. I am a registered member of The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I have trained as an Integrative Therapist. This means that I have studied a variety of counselling theories including:

Humanistic

Gestalt

Psychosynthesis

Existentialism

Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT)

Solution focussed therapy

Transactional Analysis

Psychodynamic

Attachment theory

There are a vast body of methods and theories that exist in the counselling and psychotherapy world. Integrative counselling draws on many of these approaches to bring flexibility and individuality into therapy. I see my clients as individuals with individual needs. The counselling theory and methods I continue to study expand my imagination as a therapist but do not make me the expert of an individual, I see my clients as very much the experts of themselves. In our relationship, I am a mirror and a companion for them in their journey of self-exploration.

I have used both Art & Sand play in my therapeutic work with children and adults. I find these mediums useful for helping people to explore their feelings in a creative way. Sometimes it’s hard to actually find words to express how we feel and by using other methods to get the feelings out this can be equally as valuable as talking.