COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
NEW CLIENTS WELCOME
Counselling and psychotherapy is a calm space for everyone - and this includes you.
You can bring anything you wish to explore from any part of your life.
It's confidential (other than in very specific circumstances).
The type of therapy offered is called person-centred psychotherapy and counselling. It offers a radical challenge to medicalised ways of working and simplistic ways of seeing the world; and social justice is at its heart.
We will gently explore together, at your own pace, respectfully and with curiosity. No homework, no interpretations.
I seek to offer an inclusive space, welcoming people who are disabled, neurodivergent or neuro-distinctive, or living with chronic illness, people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, and people of all genders, sexualities and relationship diversities. I am always developing my intersectional lens.
VIOLENCE, TRAUMA
&
SUBSTANCES
A specialist service that I offer is psychotherapy/counselling focused on:
• Interpersonal violence and abuse
• Domestic violence
• Sexual violence and abuse
• Trauma
• Coping and survival strategies before, during and after these experiences - including use of substances
Therapy can sometimes individualise, trying to find your part in an experience you had.
I do not collude with society’s stereotypical view that what someone else did was in some way your fault. You are welcome to enter into this process and experience this very different way of seeing things.
Whatever your coping or survival strategies are or were, you will not be judged and our environment will be a space for you.
PERSONAL THERAPY FOR
TRAINEES
Are you a trainee therapist looking for weekly personal therapy with a UKCP-registered therapist?
From retraining as a therapist myself - juggling the academic work and clinical obligations alongside doing a full-time job - and having taught on and led counselling training courses, I’m familiar with the intense demands this training makes. It’s unlike anything else in the world. I offer personal therapy hours with this understanding at its heart.
I am the author, with Pete Sanders, of the 4th edition of the textbook: Step in to Study Counselling and Psychotherapy, PCCS Books, 2022. Step in to study counselling and psychotherapy (4th edition) 9781915220141 (pccs-books.co.uk)
Note that UKCP accreditation is the same as being MBACP (accred).
SUPPORTING STAFF IN HE & FE
Higher & Further Education can be pressurised environments – with KPIs and metrics, a huge workload, and now, with the crisis in the sector, uncertainty and risk.
You might be having trouble at work and/or at home.
You might be experiencing:
• Personal issues - caring responsibilities, loss, bereavement, relationship problems
• Anxiety, depression, a feeling of being overwhelmed
• Workplace bullying, stress, maybe sickness absence
• Disciplinary or grievance
• Redundancy & job-hunting
• If you'd prefer to have some future-focused coaching, I offer that too.
If you would like a space for exploration that that is separate from your employment - not an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), HR, or line manager, you are more than welcome to get in touch.
I understand the context in which you are working: a seasoned academic, I’ve been a senior lecturer, a programme director, and in SLT. I was a UCU branch rep for several years. I’ve always worked closely with professional services and third space colleagues.
SAFE-ENOUGH THERAPY FOR THERAPISTS
If you are a qualified therapist looking some short or long term therapy then please do get in touch
I know from personal experience how difficult it can become once you are a therapist to find someone who feels separate enough from your own context. Even making an enquiry can feel daunting.
I will take the utmost care to make sure you feel safe-enough to work with me. We’ll agree together how I will refer to you in my clinical supervision, what we would do if we met professionally, and whatever else comes up for you in thinking about working with another therapist.
You could have future-focused coaching instead, to work on your business, your niches.