About Me
I am a warm and empathic counsellor.
I have always been a good listener and realise these skills are essential to being a good Counsellor. I feel it is vitally important to build a trusting relationship with the client and learn how other people see the world in order to more fully understand their issues. I am able to be congruent in a warm and calm way and this has helped clients to put their trust in me.
I like to reflect and clarify issues for the client in a non-judgemental way. This can overcome blockages and help the client to express themselves in a beneficial way.
I have specialist experience and interest in counselling young people and find this work particularly rewarding. Teenagers have a multitude of pressures and problems in the world today and gaining their trust and working with them to build self esteem and confidence is a very important part of my work
I have completed a specialist course on Eating Disorders and Obesity with renowned expert Deanne Jade of the NCFED and this has enabled me to see clients with all types of eating problems, severe or slight, using the latest research, evidence and techniques.
I use the following Therapies:
Psychodynamic – Looking into the subconscious. Understanding why we do things. What has happened in the past that may be influencing us today? We may be are unaware of patterns of behaviour that may be negative for us.
Person-Centred – Building a trusting relationship with the client. Allowing the client to lead the sessions and reflecting back in a non judgemental way. Being congruent, empathic, understanding, respectful. Having a positive regard for the client.
Cognitive Behavioural -Focusing on behaviour, patterns, beliefs. Challenging thoughts and looking at alternative ways of thinking. Making changes to behaviour in a positive way.
Solution Focused: -Based on brief therapy. Looking at how it would feel to be different . How would you know? What would it be like? What are we already doing that is working for us and we can build on these positives. Practical exercises can be thought provoking.
My Qualifications
- Diploma in Person Centred and Psychodynamic Counselling: West Suffolk College
- Diploma / Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity: National Centre for Eating Disorders, Surrey
- Positive Therapy Course : London
- Fast Trauma and Phobia Course : Human Givens : Colchester
- Accredited with the BACP.
- Continued professional development – 30 hrs per year.
My Experience
- 2 years Samaritan Telephone Counselling:
- School Counsellor at 2 independent boarding schools
- Suffolk Wellbeing Service working with clients with depression and anxiety.
- Over 10,000 counselling hours experience.
- Talks and workshops on Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating.