A Little Bit About Me...
I’ve had quite a varied career and lived and worked abroad for a number of years. I completed my first degree in Marketing at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. I initially worked for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping in the City of London before moving to Piraeus, Greece and worked for a Greek/Canadian Shipping Company in the financial sector. I then trained and taught English as a Foreign Language at the British Council of Athens. I returned to the UK, following a life-changing injury, and I was able to fulfil a life-long passion I had always had to study psychology. I was fortunate enough to be able to do this whilst undergoing intensive ongoing surgery in Bristol and graduated with a BSc First-class Honours Degree in Psychology. Alongside my studies and teaching, I trained as a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor and CBT Therapist. I’ve volunteered as a therapist at ‘Hurting to Healing’ in Parkstone, Poole and I’ve been privileged to have worked with some inspirational adult survivors who’ve endured childhood abuse which has inspired me to further my training in trauma to gain a deeper understanding of the adverse impact it has had on their lives.
I am a qualified integrative counsellor and psychotherapist and have trained using Person-Centred, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt, as well as being trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and I always aim to work to suit your needs rather than a ‘fit-all’ approach, with a focus on building a strong, supportive and trusting therapeutic relationship with you.
Professional Credentials
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
I am a fully qualified therapist working integratively, employing a variety of approaches to best suit your needs. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and my registered membership number is 381223. I adhere to their ethical principles, reassuring you that I will strive at all times to work safely, with integrity and in your best interest.
I am also an accredited member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and my membership number is 26841.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
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BSc (First-class Honours) Degree in Psychology, MBPsS
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CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills & Theory
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CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
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CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
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CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
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BSc (Honours) Degree in Agricultural and Food Marketing
TRAINING
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Practitioner Skills for working with Abuse, Trauma and Somatic Memory.
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Practitioner Skills in Attachment Theory, Complex Trauma and PTSD.
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Certificate in Neuroscience and the Polyvagal Theory.
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Practitioner Skills for working with Internal Family Systems Therapy.
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Relational Depth in Counselling & Psychotherapy.
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A Pluralistic Approach to Therapy.
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Existential Contributions to Counselling & Psychotherapy.
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Practitioner Skills for working with Eating Disorders, Binge Eating and Obesity.
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Practitioner Skills for working with Neurodiversity.
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Certificate in Bereavement, Grief & Loss during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
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Practitioner Skills for addressing Suicidality & Suicide Risk Online.
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Certificate in Counselling during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
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Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling.
EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Therapist at ‘Hurting to Healing’, formally Dorset Action on Abuse in Parkstone, Dorset.
I am fully insured, GDPR compliant and hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate (criminal record check).
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
- Carl Rogers -