How I work and Qualifications
How I work
I have trained in various counselling approaches including person-centred, psychodrama and body psychotherapy. I also have a lot of experience in working with the gestalt model of psychotherapy. I provide an accepting space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings. At the same time I gently challenge patterns of thought and behaviour which have been set in place at an earlier stage in life and which served a useful and self-protective purpose at that time but which may now be restricting your capacity for a more rewarding style of relating. I also use what is happening from moment to moment in the therapeutic relationship as a means to understanding these long-held patterns more fully with the intention of bringing about deep and lasting change.
I pay attention to the context within which client issues arise and are maintained – this may include family, on-going and previous relationships, work related issues etc. In this context I am also interested in the bigger picture which includes our place in the natural world, to which we are forever connected through the simple acts of breathing, eating, drinking etc. I work with clients in the outdoors in local natural settings if they wish to do so.
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves…
(From ‘Wild Geese’ by Mary Oliver)
I have clinical supervision for my work on a regular basis and also have counselling to work through my own issues as and when required. All of this supports me in being as available as possible for my clients.
Qualifications
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) (Click here to visit UKCP). To achieve this qualification I trained for four years with the Northern School of Psychodrama.
I hold the following qualifications:
an Advanced Diploma in Psychodrama.
an Advanced Diploma in Person Centred Counselling.
a Diploma in Embodied Relational Therapy.
I am also a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
I have also trained as a trainer in the ‘Natural Change Project’ the aim of which is to bring about deep change through our connection with the natural world.
I abide by the Code of Ethics of the UKCP.
