Choosing a therapist can be confusing; there are so many different approaches and terms used. The most important thing is to choose someone you feel you can trust and talk to about your experiences. 

I aim to offer a safe space where you can explore what is happening for you, openly and without judgement.  Together we can identify the issues, patterns or relationships that might be causing you distress; look at the influence of past experience on what is happening now; consider any changes that you may want to make and examine what gets in the way.  I see it as a joint exploration, rather than me telling you what to do. 

My training is ‘integrative’, which means I combine different theories and approaches to meet the needs of each individual.

These are the theories and approaches that I draw on:

Person-Centred Counselling is based on the belief that a client is the expert on their own life, that people have the capacity to change, and that an empathic, honest and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship can be transformational. 

Psychodynamic theory holds that early life experience has an impact on our way of being throughout life and looks at the ever-present relationship between current behaviour and past influences. 

A relational approach means we can look at the relationship between you and others in your life and consider what happens in the relationship between you and I as we work together. The counselling relationship can illuminate how you relate to many other people, both past and present.

I am also a qualified practitioner in creative writing for therapeutic benefit. If it feels beneficial, I can propose written or other creative exercises that can open up personal exploration and growth in new and different ways.  It is always your choice whether you wish to try this.

By combining these approaches, I can help you look at all aspects of your life, making sense of your experiences in a compassionate way, and laying positive foundations for any changes you choose to make. I believe it is by knowing, understanding and accepting more of ourselves that we find more confidence and peace.