What do I offer?
I offer a safe and compassionate transitional relationship, supporting you to find more self-compassion and develop healthy relationships with other people. which are fundamental to mental and emotional well-being.
The relationship that we create together can help you to understand how unhelpful (although originally useful) patterns of relating to ourselves and others endure in the present. This unique relationship can offer a world of possibilities for different ways of being in the world.
Informed by up-to date neuroscience, I offer a safe relationship to work with trauma, (both complex developmental trauma and trauma from specific events) which would slowly, very gently invite you to tune in to the feedback you receive from your body (nervous system) so allowing you to better manage symptoms of trauma.
I integrate several complementary psychological theories into my work. I have a particular interest in Gestalt Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Existential Therapy and Object Relations Theory. Mindfulness theory and practices feature centrally in my approach. I also draw on motivational interviewing and coaching skills to support change.
My style is personable and open. I draw on a range of creative approaches to tap into our immense innate capacity to grow, make meaning, express our humanity and adapt to life's challenges. Therapy can be painful, cathartic, funny, awkward, joyous, exciting and I am hope to meet clients in the full range of emotional states.
I would hope that we can draw our work to an end at a point when you feel that you enjoy greater self-awareness, compassion, autonomy and freedom, and where you are supported by improved relationships with other people.
MY APPROACH TO COUPLES THERAPY
In terms of couples therapy, I offer a safe holding space for a couple to explore current difficulties in the relationship. I am committed to maintaining a neutral stance and supporting the relationship as well as both individuals involved. My interest will be in what is getting in the way of you feeling love, connection and intimacy with one another, and to this end I would be interested in exploring how the ways in which the relationship is and is not exploring your relational needs. I find that couples will tend towards exploring current impasses in the context of historical patterns of relating to others, that may go back into childhood trauma's and difficulties, and I would support this enquiry. In this way, couples therapy can create the possibility of individual growth as well as the maturation of the relationship.
My Background and Training
I decided to train as a counsellor in 2007 after a chance meeting with a suicidal man who wanted to talk. I was deeply moved by the encounter and starting exploring training options. I had previously worked in poverty alleviation, community development and human rights work in the UK, Africa and Central America.
I obtained a certificate in counselling from the University of West of England in 2009. I subsequently trained in Group Analysis with the Institute of Group Analysis. I later decided to train as a psychotherapist because I believe that the depth of training involved is essential to support people effectively and at depth.
I have completed an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy from the Welsh Psychotherapy Partnership and have obtained full clinical accreditation with UKCP. I am currently completing a certificate in couples counselling with Relational Psychotherapy
Since 2007 I have worked as a trainer on group psycho-education courses using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a motivational interviewer on a trail run by Cardiff University and as a mental health mentor for students at Swansea University. I have completed placements in Swansea University Wellbeing Services and NHS Primary Care Psychological Therapies team in Swansea.
I obtained a certificate in counselling from the University of West of England in 2009. I subsequently trained in Group Analysis with the Institute of Group Analysis. I later decided to train as a psychotherapist because I believe that the depth of training involved is essential to support people effectively and at depth.
I have completed an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy from the Welsh Psychotherapy Partnership and have obtained full clinical accreditation with UKCP. I am currently completing a certificate in couples counselling with Relational Psychotherapy
Since 2007 I have worked as a trainer on group psycho-education courses using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a motivational interviewer on a trail run by Cardiff University and as a mental health mentor for students at Swansea University. I have completed placements in Swansea University Wellbeing Services and NHS Primary Care Psychological Therapies team in Swansea.
