How I came to be a counsellor
I came to counselling first as a client.
About fifteen years ago I found myself suddenly feeling anxious and depressed. I had always coped well with things so it was bewildering. I had some counselling and found it incredibly helpful. I also wondered if I could swap seats and start to help other people myself.
First of all I trained with the fantastic people at Bristol Mind and volunteered on their Mindline for five years to make sure this kind of work really was for me.
It was and so I left a twenty five year-long successful career in business to train as a counsellor. That was both exciting and slightly scary to be starting from scratch again.
It was worth it. It is a huge privilege to do this work, to be trusted by clients, to be alongside them to explore their most difficult experiences and see them start to make the changes they want.
Qualifications and Training
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling at the University of South Wales, Newport.
- Certificate in Relational Therapy from the School of Relational Therapy.
- Certificate in Telephone and Online Counselling from Counselling Tutor.
- Other shorter training includes: Autism with Centre for Autism and Mental Health,Transactional Analysis , Solution-focused, Compassion-focused, Sensorimotor and Rewind technique for trauma, Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, Online counselling.
Experience
- Three years counselling staff based at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.
- Eight years counselling students at the University of the West of England. I have a particular interest in working with this age group given the scale of transitions they need to negotiate.
- Ten years volunteering at Network Counselling in Bristol working short and longer term.
Membership
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and am bound by their Ethical Framework and am subject to its Complaints Procedure.
I am also a member of Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Private Practice ( CAPPP).
CAPPP is a networking organisation for counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice in the south west of England.
When I’m not counselling
I am married with three “kids” – all now very grown up! – and my family is my joy.
Whenever possible I will be outside enjoying and photographing nature. Like so many people that’s what really grounds, nourishes and rejuvenates me.