ABOUT ME
I practise as a face-to-face and online integrative psychotherapist and counsellor, which means that I work with a variety of therapeutic techniques and methods to suit the individuality of my clients. This may include the use of creative materials and resources, which can sometimes really help people to express themselves, especially when the subject matter is very difficult or confusing. I work with couples, adults, teenagers, children and parents.
I believe that therapy gives you the opportunity to understand more about yourself and your relationships with others and gives you the chance to look at your life and your circumstances through a different lens. The success of the process lies within the therapeutic relationship and being able to express your deepest concerns in a safe and supportive environment. I believe that everyone has a natural drive towards contentment and fulfilment but there may be obstacles and struggles along the way and sometimes these can be difficult to define and understand. Therapy can help you understand and identify the issues you are facing and so enabling you to start to think differently and make positive changes to your life.
I have previously worked as a secondary school teacher before training to become a child and adolescent therapist. I now have over 12 years of experience of working with children, adolescents, adults, parents and couples in both schools, therapeutic organisations and in private practice. I also work as a clinical supervisor with counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health workers who work in schools, mental health organisations and in private practice.
Qualifications
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) Secondary Mathematics
MEd in The Theory and Application of Counselling from Cambridge University
MA in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling from Middlesex University.
Diploma in Couples Therapy from the Relational Academy
Certificate in Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Skills from the Centre for Stress Management
EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Leaning Association) Part I and II for practising in Equine Therapy
Diploma in Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychotherapy and Counselling Supervision from Terapia
I am a fully accredited member of the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
Experience
Therapist for the Parenting Under Pressure Program delivered by the Tavistock Centre for Couples Relationships
Child Psychotherapist for 6 years at a Cambridgeshire Infants School
Secondary School Child and Adolescent Therapist for 4 years in schools in Harlow and Cambridge
Visiting Speaker in schools to A Level students of Psychology
Course provider on Mental Health Awareness and Management in both Schools and Businesses
Psychotherapist for Cambridge Counselling Service
Psychotherapist working in private practice in Cambridge, Norfolk and Online
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Seeing a therapist is an opportunity for you to invest in yourself and your emotional wellbeing. Problems that people bring to therapy include anxiety, low self-esteem, low mood and depression, stress, anger, problems at home or at work, eating disorders, addiction, relationship problems, family issues, bereavement, gender issues, sexuality, personal development issues and desire for change.
You will be able to talk about your concerns in a confidential, understanding, trustworthy and supportive space and together we will explore your difficulties to help you understand what is happening for you emotionally and how you can look at your circumstances through a fresh lens and experiment with new ideas and solutions. I will be looking to work with you in a way that suits you and helps you to get the most from each session.
The length of the work will depend on your requirements and can range from just one or two sessions, a period of six sessions, or often longer.
Fee: £80 - £100 per session
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT THERAPY
See my Child and Adolescent Therapy website at www.creativepsychotherapy.co.uk
Children and adolescents can ‘act out’ when they are holding an emotional difficulty and are unable to express themselves freely.
It is often very difficult for parents, as well as the young person themselves, to identify what the issues are that are making them feel emotionally insecure, but an imbalance can show itself as uncharacteristic or aggressive behaviour, depression, low self-esteem, acts of self-harm, eating disorders and exploration with substance abuse. It can feel very worrying and frightening to see children and young people experience these difficulties.
In therapy, children are able to play and teenagers are able to use creative activities, as well as talk, to explore what is going on for them emotionally and start to make sense of their feelings and life around them. Understanding their emotional needs can help young people to feel happier and more confident in their everyday life.
Fee: £80 - £100 per session
PARENTING
Many parents or primary carers come to me for help with understanding and managing their child's difficult behaviour or worrying emotional state. As parents, we become very immersed in our relationships with our children and it can sometimes be very helpful to work with a therapist to look at family dynamics from a distance in order to understand why family members behave the way they do. Sometimes behaviours can feel habitual, but with understanding and support, patterns of interaction within a family can change to bring secure and more joyful relationships. I work with single parents, co-parents and couples, to explore relationships within the family to bring about positive change for all involved. This work is often valuable for more complex family constellations where adults bring children from previous partners into a new relationship.
Fee: £90 - £100 per session
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples counselling can help you when you are experiencing difficulties in an intimate relationship. The therapeutic space can provide a safe and confidential environment for both of you to explore your relationship and to look at the dynamics from an independent view point.
Reasons people come to couples counselling include having different needs within the relationship, lack of communication, betrayal or affair, financial issues, relocation issues, work related stress, family conflicts, different parenting styles, differing sexual needs and life changes.
Working with an experienced therapist will enable you to explore these issues in a supportive environment without the need for conflict. Established patterns within your relationship can be explored and understood, giving you the opportunity to change the way you communicate with each other.
Fee: £90 - £100 per session
SUPERVISION
With an MA in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and a Diploma in Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychotherapy and Counselling Supervision, I work with counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health workers who are involved in different ways in the emotional well-being of under 18s, adults and couples. I very much enjoy working alongside my supervisees in a creative and dynamic way to find refreshing insights into their client's world and their therapeutic relationships with their clients. Using creative resources and embodiment in the supervisory space can give great insight to understanding clients and what they need from their therapist to help sooth and repair emotional imbalances. I believe that supervision should be a process that bring insight, knowledge and excitement to the therapeutic work of my supervisees.
Fee: £50 - £60 per session
TRAINING
I give talks and training in schools, colleges and businesses on a variety of aspects of mental health, including:
How to protect mental health, both as an individual and as an organisation.
How to identify when someone is having mental health issues and how best to help them.
What is therapy and in what circumstances could it be helpful, and how?
Identifying mental health issues in students in school or college and how these relate to acting out behaviours for both children, teenagers and young adults.
Working positively with anxiety in young children.
Understanding, and parenting, children and adolescents who are displaying worrying behaviours.
CONTACT ME
Contact me to make a first appointment where your needs can be discussed in confidence.
Cambridge CB5 8HY
Norfolk PE32 1SL
Online
07766757579