Counselling, Psychotherapy and Supervision in Marsden, near Huddersfield and Oldham
I have worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist for the past 25 years, as a supervisor for the past 15 years and as a couples therapist for 15 years. I am one of the few Certified Imago Relationship Therapists in the north of England. I have worked in a wide range of settings including GP surgery, University student services and a hospice (where my work was primarily with terminally ill patients). I also supervised staff in a voluntary organisation that worked with young people with drug and alcohol issues for 10 years. I have worked in private practice since 2005. I see counselling and psychotherapy clients and supervisees in Marsden, located between Oldham and Huddersfield. I also worked as a counselling trainer in both Further and Higher Education for approximately 10 years. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist I worked as a Quantity Surveyor in the construction industry in Northern Ireland but eventually moved to the UK mainland to train in counselling and psychotherapy having experienced the very significant benefits of counselling for myself having had some difficult issues that I needed support to work through.
How I work
The majority of my work over the years has been face to face. However, I also work online with clients. This latter form of counselling has been particularly effective during the Corona Virus as it means I can provide continuity in my work with clients. I'm finding that lots of people are struggling to deal with many aspects of living with the virus and presenting with issues such as stress, anxiety, fear and grief. Death is also becoming more real for many and dealing with living within the confines of their home and not being able to see many of their loved ones is a constant struggle for most in our society. Life has changed for us all and, of course, there is the unknown of when it will all end.
Working in the outdoors
We are now living in the midst of climate change. We see the evidence daily in the increasing number and intensity of floods and wild fires, increased world temperatures, icecaps melting and the vast reduction of wildlife. If wildlife disappears, we disappear. Such potentially catastrophic changes are bringing about increased anxiety and fear among many. We fear for ourselves as well as what sort of world we are leaving behind for our children and grandchildren as a result of our disconnection from, and abuse of, the natural world and yet we often feel powerless to do anything about it. What do we do? How can we help change the direction in which we are headed or, indeed, can we change it? Do we become climate activists or do we look at ourselves and the part we might be playing in it? Do we bury our heads in the sand or do we dare to open up to the feelings that we experience when we let ourselves think about what we are doing to the planet? I will help you explore the therapeutic needs that emerge when you hold the reality of climate crisis in authentic awareness.
In order to try to face these issues I work with clients and supervisees outside in the natural world as well as indoors. I work outdoors on Marsden Moor near Huddersfield and Oldham. When we work outside the natural world becomes a participant in the process alongside the client or supervisee and myself. When working in the outdoors the focus remains firmly on the issues that the client or supervisee wants to work on but I am also interested in our connection with the natural world and what we offer to nature and what it can offer to us in terms of our healing process. When working outdoors the focus is not on fitness so we can sit, stand or walk. For further details of outdoor therapy or supervision go to the page on Psychotherapy and Supervision in the Outdoors. I also run a range of therapeutic workshops focused on our connection with nature and our relationship with our own mortality (see workshops page for further details). I always work indoors with couples.
Location
The practice in Marsden is 20 minutes from the M62 and is within easy commuting distance from a range of towns and cities in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Derbyshire including Huddersfield, Oldham, Leeds, Barnsley, and Manchester. There are excellent bus and train links from both Leeds/Huddersfield and Manchester.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I have trained in person centred counselling, psychodrama and body psychotherapy and am heavily influenced by the existential model of psychotherapy. I am particularly interested in the moment to moment relationship between myself and the client and how this focus can be a catalyst to personal and interpersonal change. When working with clients my main interest is in bringing about significant and lasting change which can lead to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.
Couples counselling in Huddersfield
I have worked as a couples counsellor for the past 15 years. When doing couples counselling I use the Imago method and am one of the few Certified Imago Relationship Therapists in the north of England. For further information on couples counselling see the section on Couples Counselling on the Practicalities page. I always work indoors with couples.
Who I work with
Having worked as a psychotherapist for the past 25 years I have developed my skills in working with clients with a wide range of presenting issues. If you would like to discuss further if I may be able to help you do give me a call or send me an email.
