My training is relationally centred.

The relationship between therapist and client has been shown to be of particular importance to change in counselling. Healthy connection with others is important for our wellbeing. However, this can be a struggle for many people, perhaps particularly those who have experienced harm in the context of relationships, be that historically or more recently. I am therefore particularly interested in your relationships with others and with yourself.

I aim to bring myself fully into the relationship we create together. Paying attention to this relationship also forms part of therapy. Issues that we have experienced in other relationships can show up within the relationship we form between us. The therapeutic relationship can provide an opportunity to experience a new way of connecting, which can be a source of healing and finding new ways of relating to others.

In addition to providing a safe, confidential space to talk about what is troubling you, I am also interested in working creatively where clients welcome this. For example, this could include drawing or symbolic work using stones, toys or other objects. This can help us to connect with other, perhaps younger parts of ourselves who may benefit from other forms of expression.

Areas of experience

In additional to my relational counselling training, I have undertaken specific training in issues relating to: trauma, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect; attachment; bereavement and loss; dissociation, including dissociative identity disorder; and issues around self-harm. I have experience in working with people who have experienced discrimination for a variety of reasons, including disability, sexuality, gender, and neurodivergence. I view autism and related conditions as a form of neurodivergence rather than taking a deficits-focused approach, and I align with the social model of disability (recognising that people are disabled by barriers in society that can exclude or discriminate against them). I welcome and aim to practice in an affirmative way with clients who identify as LGBTQ+

I am a trainee member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a member of the Scarborough Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute and work to their codes of ethics. I am in regular counselling supervision and hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate.

Relevant training and qualifications:

Trainee on Advanced Diploma in Relationally Centred Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Scarborough Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute – SCPTI)

Certificate in Counselling Skills (levels 2 and 3).

PhD in Psychology

MSc in Psychology (conversion)

I am also currently an academic researcher with experience in family estrangement, autism and mental health. I have experience of offering pastoral support to students in higher education, and of supporting neurodivergent young people in educational settings.