Get to know more about me

I aim to live with an open heart where authentic exchange and healing is possible.  I am committed to bringing this to all aspects of my life, within my family, friends, those I work with and to my connection to animals, ancestors and nature.

I care about the impact I have on people and planet. This guides me in the decisions I make in life including:

• Research and training I undertake to ensure I have a thorough understanding of what is healing/therapeutic.
• Personal work I do within myself to work through things which stand between me and my capacity to love and stay open hearted.
• Willingness to stay open to hearing where I may have contributed to hurt and intention to foster genuine repair.

My hope is to share the potential for authentic exchange and healing through the work I do as a therapeutic counsellor, IFS and trauma professional, group facilitator and supervisor. 

Background

My first experience of receiving psychological help was a difficult one and I struggled with concerns and fear that at the time I didn't feel able to share.  The experience landed on the part of me holding a belief that there was something inherently wrong with me and the ways I was trying hard to cope. I began training in counselling partly out of curiosity and also underneath a hope to gain greater understanding of myself, others and the world.

When I discovered Internal Family Systems (IFS) it brought a sense of immediate relief as all parts of me had space to be truly seen and valued with appreciation for their qualities, intentions and struggles.  Having studied a range of different theories, it provided me with a clear evidence based framework and a kind philosophy which promotes healing which I share in my practice.

Prior to beginning therapeutic work, I studied and worked for 10 years at the University of Oxford and later for Glasgow University as an applied statistics researcher and lecturer.  Whilst therapeutic work is very different in nature, I find clear thinking and an ability to hold focus and recognise patterns within a wider context really helps me to work gently and effectively with complex and confusing experiences.

Experience

• Counsellor/therapist & supervisor (Private practice, Totnes & online, 2015 - present)
• Trainer (Training for Therapists, 2023 - present)
• Tutor & Assistant course director (Devon & Cornwall Counselling Hub, 2016 - 2023)
• Counsellor (Simply Counselling Community Interest Company, 2013 - 2018)

Professional Membership and Qualifications

• Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) 
• Listed on the BACP register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.  
• Internal Family Systems Level 3 (2023, IFS UK)
• Internal Family Systems Level 2 Deepening and Expanding (2022, IFS UK)
• Internal Family Systems Level 2 Couples Training (2021, IFS Barcelona)
• Certified Complex Trauma Professional Levels 1 & 2 (2019-2021, Janina Fisher)
• Internal Family Systems Level 1 (2021, IFS Portugal) 
• Certificate in Group Facilitation (2020, Re-Vision)
• Diploma in Integrative Supervision of Individuals & Groups (2018, The Grove)
• Advanced Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling (2014)