I am registered as a psychotherapist through BACP in the UK and as an Art Therapist with BAAT and HCPC. I am a transformational life coach through Animas, accredited by the International Coaching Foundation and I am about to undertake the Positive Intelligence training as an add-on. My experience thus far is wide-ranging; I have worked with clients as young as 5 and adults over 75 and in various settings including schools, refugee camps, therapeutic communities and the NHS. My clinical practice has spanned both online as well as in person.
Life sometimes throws us curve balls and I am here to provide a listening ear and non-judgmental space. Life’s twists and turns can cause us to respond in rote ways learned in early childhood. I work in a psychodynamic way and I am a trained art therapist so I also value creative responses to difficulty. I passionately believe people can be empowered to find their own answers to the challenges they face. I value difference, integrity, connection and finding your own path and I am not afraid to walk through dark places and sit with discomfort. In a non-judgmental accepting environment, we will work together to transform pain into coping mechanisms that help you live life in its fullness. At this time I am conducting art therapy and talk therapy over secure videoconference (or audio, if you prefer). I do some in-person art psychotherapy sessions in addition.
I work psychodynamically predominantly, which simply put means I recognise that our past relationships, experiences and ways of thinking impact us in the here and now. However, I work in an eclectic, integrative way; having undertaken further trainings focussing on principles of schema therapy, Transactional Analysis and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and having benefited from Supervisors whose training was Jungian and in Family Systems, I integrate all my learning and adapt to the client and their presenting issues as needed.
I would describe myself as person-centred, as I place high value on the relationship itself and the importance of being witnessed by an attuned other. If you choose to do art therapy, I will encourage you to use creative materials to make something to express your feelings – this is not art class or being judged aesthetically, but being free to be you and use materials if words are not forthcoming. To be seen and heard and met wherever you are emotionally is a powerfully moving and transformative experience for most adults and children alike.
I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) as a psychotherapist and with the Health & Care Professions Council and the British Association of Art Psychotherapy as an Art Psychotherapist. I also co-ordinate trauma trainings for BAAT, as well as ensuring my continuing professional development is kept up-to-date by undertaking trainings and reading widely within my field. I offer a 15 minute free initial online voice/video consultation for which there is no charge to see if I am the right therapist for you or your child. It is an opportunity also to ask any questions and see how I may help.
If you take up therapy with me, the first session would be a longer consultation in which I complete an assessment. This lasts longer than a regular session (up to 1.5h) and is a way of taking a history and context of where the client is. This is charged at a 1.5 rate. For young people, I carry out the assessment with parents. I work short-medium term with clients, usually planning for 8-12 sessions of 50mins on a weekly basis, and creating an objective for the piece of work together. I will work with you to find a regular session time. There is no obligation to commit to 8 sessions, however in my experience working in blocks of 8-12 weeks creates momentum which sustains change. I also conduct some ‘walk & talk’ sessions at local parks and have trained in delivery of outdoor therapy if you prefer to be in nature. I mostly carry out sessions during office hours, as early as 8am until 6pm. Occasionally I may have a weekend slot available or later in the evening.
Outside of my work which I love, I love to practice yoga, go on walks in nature and spend time immersing myself in culture, I am a big fan of museums! I do strength training as I find feeling physically strong helps with mental toughness too, and every bone in my body is creative, you’ll find me painting, sewing or making some kind of art. Lastly I love to travel, I have been to around 35 countries and lived in 4!
I am English-speaking BACP-registered psychotherapist and as an Art Therapist with BAAT and HCPC (Registrations BACP 00949354 – 43582 BAAT – AS16601 HCPC Siret en cours). I am also a transformational life coach. I work across the lifespan (children to older adults), and offer online session.
