Usually individuals choose to have counselling because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives. Sometimes people can be isolated but at other times, even where an individual has the most supportive family and friends, they can find it difficult if not impossible to explain why, for example, they may be feeling anxious and or depressed. Or it may be easier to talk about personal, family, or relationship issues with a person who is independent of friends and family. Other life issues and events which can be very difficult to deal with include bereavement, divorce, redundancy, health issues, bullying and so on. However, you do not have to be in crisis or on the verge of one, before choosing to have therapy. You may be experiencing underlying feelings of dissatisfaction with life in general, or be seeking balance in your life and spirituality.

All of these reasons and more will bring individuals to therapy (BACP website).

WHY COUNSELLING?

Children and adolescents

I have enjoyed working in some capacity with young people for the whole of my adult life. I was employed as a primary school teacher for over twenty years and during this time I specialised in teaching the creative arts. I also volunteered in a youth group, ran recorder groups, children's choirs and directed numerous musical productions. When I retrained as a counsellor it was important for me to continue my connection with children. I have worked as a therapist for various children's charities and over the last ten years, as part of my private practice, I have worked as a school counsellor in a local secondary school where I supported students as well as the pastoral team, teaching assistants and TIS practitioners.

A B O U T M E

I am an experienced Person-Centred Counsellor, Trauma Informed Creative Arts Therapist and Supervisor living on the Lizard peninsular in Cornwall.

I began my private practice in 2014 and I see clients - adults, adolescents and children - at my home in Mullion, near Helston.

QUALIFICATIONS
and EXPERIENCE

I am fully qualified with a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Therapy and, in recognition of my experience and continued professional development, I am an accredited member of the BACP (the professional body representing counsellors and psychotherapists). This means that I adhere to the guidelines laid down in the BACP ethical framework, see USEFUL LINKS, and have regular supervision.

I am also a member of the Association of Person Centered Creative Arts Therapists (APCCA) and hold a Post-Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Adolescents and Children, a Certificate in Somatic Attachment Therapy and Certification in Complex Trauma Treatment (1).

I am fully insured, registered with the ICO and DBS checked.

Previously I have worked as a Person Centered Creative Arts Therapist for:

CLEAR (a Cornish charity working with young people who have experienced abusive relationships

CRASAC (Cornwall Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre)

Students Services at Cornwall College

Penhaligon's Friends, a local childhood bereavement charity

I have experience of working with adults, young people and children on a variety of issues including: anxiety, depression, bereavement, bullying at school and in the work place, self-harm, post-natal depression, pregnancy and birth, parenting, relationship difficulties, sexual, emotional and physical abuse and neglect, domestic violence, trauma, suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts and OCD, living with long term illness and disability, CFS, learning difficulties, Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, work-related stress and redundancy.

I also have personal experience of living with fibromyalgia.

During the course of my professional training I have completed:

Grief Training - Level 1: The theory of Childhood Loss and Grief
Grief Training - Level 2: Therapeutic Skills and Practical Applications of Theory
West Cornwall Women's Aid Domestic Violence and Abuse awareness training
Cornwall Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre 20 week course
NICAMB Advanced Master Program on the treatment of trauma
Online Therapy Institute- Moving your practice online
Application of the Polyvagal Theory (PVT) in Counselling & Psychotherapy 10 week course
Inner Relationship Focusing
Internal Family Systems informed practitioner

I have also completed Continuing Professional Development in:

FGM awareness
Mind and Body together - Emotional Wellbeing training
Training in understanding dissociation and complex dissociative disorders
Depth of play training - using Sand tray to experience symbolism and metaphor in play
National Autistic Society training - Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum
MindEd - elearning for professionals working with children and young people
ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Training
Suicide and self-harm - Working safely and ethically with clients at
risk
Using Creative Arts online
Creatively Connecting with your Inner Child
Polyvagal Theory - Integrating the body
Using the Here & Now in Supervision

WHY COUNSELLING?

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A B O U T M E

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS
and EXPERIENCE