My ultimate therapeutic aim is for you to not need therapy. For you to be able to take a step back from your psychological distress, unhelpful thinking patterns and dysfunctional problem solving so you can be your own therapist. For you to have an effective, compassionate and accepting relationship with yourself and for you to be able to live a meaningful, satisfying life that is congruent with your values. To achieve this I use established, evidence-based CBT methods along with emerging CBT approaches that have their roots in Eastern Philosophy such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, visualisation and Mindfulness-based CBT. I am also an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapy is strongly influenced by the Humanist movement. Humanism views people as growing, developing, creative beings who have the ability to take full self responsibility for maintaining their own health and well being and achieving their full potential through self-actualisation. This holistic approach strongly influences my psychotherapy practice.

I have worked in the field of health and social care for over 20 years. My experience ranges from being a care worker in the community to a manager in a large psychiatric hospital. My work experience also includes community mental health, the prison service, psychiatric intensive care units, specialist rehabilitation, neurology, learning disability services, Improving Access Psychological Therapies (IAPT) well-being services, private practice and community interest projects. I have worked for and trained with the NHS, private health providers and charities. I have a Bachelor Of Arts in Aesthetics, Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. However, I consider my experiential, extensive hands on learning as a front line mental health worker to hold greater value than academic achievements in terms of relating to people through understanding how our environments (physical, social, cultural and political) interact with and influence our sense of self and psychological well-being. I have extensive experience working with marginalised members of society and have worked extensively in promoting equality and diversity in my workplaces.