About me
I am committed to providing a comprehensive counselling service, which meets my clients' needs for convenience, flexibility and responsiveness. I'm offering in-person sessions for individuals, couples and families, in my beautiful therapy room, located on the Great Orme in Llandudno.
If your life is being disrupted because you're struggling to cope with circumstances beyond your control, or you're feeling stuck in patterns of feeling and behaviour that you know aren't doing you any good, I don't want your only option to be a long waiting list. If you're willing to make the investment, I can help you move your life forward in the right direction and get your life and personal progress back on track.
I am a warm and loving person, intelligent, down to earth and non-judgemental. I am life-loving, peace-loving and spiritual, but also a bit of a science geek! I've "seen it all" and still always see the good in people! I love living in Llandudno and my daily walks on the beach with my dog. An avid reader and perpetual student, I love to be inspired, and I find joy in inspiring others!
How I Work
I am a fully qualified Trauma informed Integrative Counsellor, working in a pluralistic way. What this basically means is that how I work with you will depend on who you are, your preferences and why you are coming for counselling in the first place. We'll focus in on what you want the counselling to do or achieve for you. There are many different ways I can help, but I believe that you are the expert on the subject of you and your problems, and my first job is always to listen and to understand, and then to offer options regarding the different ways we could approach the work that needs to be done. For example, we can work in creative ways that tap into your unconscious mind, to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your motives and why you do the things you do, or we can focus on psychoeducation, which involves learning about and understanding mental health and wellbeing. We can use techniques, like EFT or EMDR, which are fantastic approaches for resolving trauma very rapidly and effectively. Or we could use hypnosis or imaging exercises, or other creative approaches, which tap into your unconscious mind, to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your motives and why you do the things you do.
When I am working with couples, after the initial 30 minute Introduction Session, when I've had the chance to observe the couple interacting together and explaining their reasons for seeking counselling, I invite each one to come for a one-to-one session, to give them the opportunity to put across their side of the story and what they think has gone wrong in the relationship and what needs to be addressed. These one-to-one sessions are completely confidential, not because I'm condoning the keeping of secrets, but so that each person feels completely free to tell me anything that's on their mind, perhaps something from the past that they've been unable to move past, without the worry about upsetting their partner. It's helpful for me to have this overview and know what needs to be talked about, and we might discuss ways to approach these difficult subjects with your partner.
I usually work with clients in-person, but do also offer Online counselling services, which include Video, Audio-only/Phone and Email Counselling. Click here to find out more.
My Qualifications and Credentials
I was awarded an Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 2011 and set up my private practice in February 2014. I already had a First Class Bachelor Degree in Philosophy and a Cert.HE in Psychology. I am widely read on the subject of counselling theory and approaches to psychotherapy, and have a firm grasp of the theoretical frameworks of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic Counselling, Person-Centred Counselling, Transactional Analysis, Existential and Meaning-Centred Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Schema Therapy and mindfulness based therapies. I am an Accredited Advanced EFT Practitioner (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and a Gottman trained Couples Therapist, with further training in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy. I also integrate some coaching techniques and theory, including Human Needs Psychology and Strategic Intervention Coaching.
I am a Registered Member of the BACP, which means that you can be assured my training and qualifications have met the professional standards of the largest professional organisation for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK and you have the security of knowing that I'm bound by their code of ethics and conduct (go to www.bacp.co.uk).
I also have four years' experience as a Schools Counsellor and as a member of the BACP's Children and Young People's Division, which means I have kept up to date with all the latest developments in the theory and practice of counselling young people (11 years +). I have undertaken Safeguarding training and hold a current DBS certificate (parents can verify this with the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) by applying online - you just need the certificate number and my date of birth, which I'll provide on request).
I am fully covered by all the relevant insurances and attend monthly supervision sessions with a BACP accredited and AAMET approved supervisor. I am also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, as required by the Data Protection Act 1988 (go to www.ico.org.uk).