About Me

After a decade of making TV programmes for the BBC I left and became a freelance writer.

When my second son started school I decided to go back to my psychology roots [I had a degree in psychology] and I trained to be a counsellor.

My background means I’m used to helping people to feel at ease talking about themselves which is a good starting point for counselling.

By carefully listening and by being non-judgmental I will support you to work out what you would like to change and how to make those changes.

I now have a private practice offering short [even one-off sessions] and long term online counselling to adults ie 18+.

I can help you with a range of issues - see How Can I Help You? In particular I have lived experience of rare disability and I am the parent of a disabled child; I also have specialist experience and knowledge of disability, carer, health, student, and gender dysphoria issues, and I am LGBTQIA2S+ affirmative.

I have previously worked for the University of Exeter Wellbeing Service, the Margaret Jackson Centre, as a Specialist Counsellor at The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic in Exeter, and for the NHS working with adults who were mainly referred from the Depression and Anxiety Service [DAS] in Newton Abbot, in Devon.

My qualifications and training

I am an Accredited Member of the BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – the professional organisation for counsellors. My BACP registration number is 185778, you can check my name on their register: www.bacpregister.org.uk/check_register/

  • BSc [Hons] 2:1 in Psychology [1988-1991]
  • Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Level 4, Exeter College [2012-14]
  • Creative Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT], Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy [Sept 2014 - Feb 2015]
  • Online Counselling Skills, OCST [Online Counselling Services & Training] [May - July 2016].

I have also done many short courses including:

  • Mind Management Skills for Life: www.chimpmanagement.com 8 workshop programme
  • Working with trauma that has become stuck, Carolyn Spring
  • Goals in Therapy: Actualising Our Deepest Directions, Mick Cooper
  • Single Session Therapy - SST Demonstrations & Questions, Windy Dryden
  • Single Session Therapy - Doubts & Reservations, Windy Dryden
  • Existential Contributions to Counselling and Psychotherapy, Mick Cooper
  • Working with trauma in a time of trauma, Carolyn Spring
  • Healing Trauma Summit, 2018, Sounds True
  • Working with Dissociative Disorders in Clinical Practice, PODS - Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors
  • Anger Management, Citizen Coaching
  • Trauma and the Body: Somatisation and Dissociation, PODS
  • Working with Families and Couples: Systemic Ideas in Practice within The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic, facilitated by Amy Urry, Family Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor
  • Child Sexual Abuse, PODS
  • Trauma, Dissociation and Recovery, PODS
  • The Man Who Needed His Headaches [Psychosomatic disorders], Somerset Counselling Centre
  • Relational Depth and Emotional Connection in Online Therapy, BACP Webcast: OCTIA 2016
  • Raising Self Esteem, Relate
  • Introduction to Mindfulness, Part 2, Relate
  • Sexual Abuse and Related Issues, SAL - Rape and Sexual Abuse Line
  • Tackling Domestic Violence and Abuse, adva – Against Domestic Violence and Abuse

I love reading and I am a prolific reader of counselling related books so if you like reading too I’d be happy to recommend books which you might find helpful.