What I Offer
I am a fully qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor working in the centre of Bristol, and a Accredited member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP Accred)
I offer a safe and confidential space to explore whatever it is you would like to bring.
I work to a relational, integrative model, placing my client and our relationship at the centre of the work. In practice this means that I bring my whole authentic self to each client relationship to create a trusting base for the work and bring about change.
My work is fundamentally trauma-focused and compassionate: following the theory that all parts of us emerge to help us survive and cope with traumas and relationships that we experience through our life. As we grow, we often notice that the parts that used to serve us so well, now get in the way of living a wholehearted life. A large part of therapy is noticing what you want to hold onto and deciding what to let go.
A curious and creative mind is something that I bring to each and every session, whether it be integrating a counselling theory or inviting you to use the sand tray, visualisations or art materials to get closer to your unconscious self. I may also draw attention to where emotions are held within the body in an effort to get closer to unconscious patterns and traumas.
Following the COVID pandemic, I am now fully qualified to work online.
I have expanded on descriptions of each core modality that I use at the bottom of this page.
Qualifications and Experience
I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling (PGDip) from UWE Bristol and a Post-Grad Certificate in Counselling from Birkbeck University. I am an Accredited member of BACP. I hold a Post-Grad Certificate in Therapeutic Play.
Alongside my private practice, I work with Rockabye, a Bristol-based charity, running ante and postnatal groups. We run group activities grounded in polyvagal/trauma theory and offer a heartfelt space to facilitate bonding between parents and their bumps and babies.
Additional training and areas of interest include:
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Working with neurodiversity (incl. ADHD and Autism)
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Knowledge of ethical non-monogamy, polyamory and alternative relationship styles
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Dealing with Distress - suicide and self harm
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Mental Health and the Body - treating trauma
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Counselling for Infertility - foundation training from BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association)
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Introduction training to Internal Family Systems (an embodied way of working with trauma to integrate the various 'parts' of ourselves)
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Narcissistic traits and emotional abuse (particularly on the adult children of parents with narcissistic traits).
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The Effects of Alcoholism on Families
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The Rewind Technique
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Gender Awareness
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Working with Shame
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Sandtray Therapy.
I have worked in a variety of settings with young people and adults in Bristol and South Glos. Most recently at The Priory and at Bristol Mind where I assisted in co-ordinating and supervising the Bristol MindLine and MindLine Trans+ emotional support lines, as well as training volunteers to be listeners. Through training and working alongside Trans, non-binary and gender questioning individuals, I consider myself an ally to the community.
In my pre-counselling life I have completed a degree in English Literature and Film Studies (BA Hons) and worked in the charity sector, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities nationwide. I have managed projects in financial services roles and have also worked with young homeless people in North London, and as a support worker to young mums.
Person-Centred
Person-centred work involves completely accepting the person in front of you for who they are and going with them wherever they want to take you. There are 3 main aspects to working in a person-centred modality, the first is to empathise with your client, the second is to regard them with unconditional positivity and the third is to be entirely authentic with them - to bring my whole self.
Gestalt
Working in a Gestalt way involves the theory that what happens in the present moment in the counselling room is indicative of behaviours and themes outside the counselling room. Practically speaking, this means I could draw on what is happening in the relationship between us or perhaps how you're feeling in the here-and-now of the room. In Gestalt therapy, self-awareness is key to personal growth and developing full potential.
Psychodynamic
The aim of psychodynamic therapy is to bring the unconscious mind into consciousness - helping individuals to unravel, experience and understand their true, deep-rooted feelings in order to resolve them. It takes the view that our unconscious holds onto painful feelings and memories, which are too difficult for the conscious mind to process. Essentially, we are looking at how your past may be affecting your present.