About Me
I am a qualified and experienced Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
​
I undertook a Psychodynamic Counselling followed by a Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training. I also completed a post-qualifying training in working with couples.
​
Prior to my work as a therapist, I trained and worked as a mental health social worker. I have a combined experience of over 25 years supporting people through all kinds of life events and distress. I have worked in a wide range of settings including mental health charities, NHS, local authorities, probation service, drugs and alcohol services.
​
Steeped in the psychoanalytic tradition, psychodynamic counselling emphasises the importance of our earliest relationships and experiences and the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Over the years I have been influenced by a number of theories and approaches within the psychodynamic tradition, but find attachment theory, with its abiding focus on our attachments, our separations and our losses, the most compelling way to understand emotional and relational difficulties.
​
I work with a strong emphasis on trust, safety, cooperation, confidentiality and boundaries. You will determine the focus, pace and depth of our work.
​
Questions you might have...
Are you professionally registered?
Yes.
I am a registered member of the following organisations:
​
-
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
-
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
-
Foundation for Psychotherapy & Counselling (FPC)
-
Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy
I am bound by their ethical guidelines and codes of practice, including their requirements for supervision and continued professional development.
​​
How soon can you see me?
I may be able to see you fairly soon, or there may be a wait. This depends on a number of factors, including your own availability.
Appointments outside of 9-5 are often popular, which means the wait for an evening appointment, might be longer than for a daytime appointment.
​
​
What are your qualifications?
I hold the following qualifications:
​
-
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy - Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy (2 years)
-
Advanced Certificate & Certificate in the Study of the Couple Relationship - Tavistock Relationships (2x 1 year)
-
Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling - Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy (4 years)
-
DipSW & MA in Social Work (Specialism Mental Health) - Cardiff University (2 years)
-
BScEcon Psychology & Sociology (Joint Hons) - Cardiff University (3 years)
​
​
What are the practicalities?
Who do you work with?
I work with individuals and couples.
I work with adults with no upper age limit.
I do not work with children and adolescents as this is a different specialism.
​
What will it cost?
The fee for individual therapy is £50.00.
The fee for couples therapy is £75.00.
How long can I attend?
Your regular appointment is yours indefinitely and you can continue to work with me as long as you find beneficial.
Where is your practice?
I practice from a dedicated room in my home in Melksham.
​
The room is located on the ground floor.
​
Free parking is usually available on the road. There is also a public car park within 2 minutes walk.
​
Melksham is within easy access of Whitley, Atworth, Seend, Semington, Lacock, Corsham, Chippenham, Pewsham, Calne, Hilperton, Trowbridge, Westbury, Holt, Bradford-on-Avon, Bromham, Rowde, Devizes, Potterne, Box.
​
What happens next?
The first step is to contact me via mobile or email, to see if we can identify a day and time when we're both available to meet. My standard practice is to offer you a free 30 minute conversation simply for us to meet and explore if we are a good therapeutic fit.
If we decided to go ahead with a therapy, we would then have at least two (and possibly up to four) initial consultation sessions, to assess the nature and source of your difficulties. These are charged for at the normal rate.
​​​
If I am not able to help you myself, I may be able to point you into the direction of a suitably experienced and qualified colleague. If I felt that therapy would be not helpful at the time of your consulting, I would be upfront about this and discuss possible alternatives with you.
​
