Hello, thank you for accessing my profile. I appreciate that this might be your first step to reach out for support and I hope I can offer you a clear insight on how I can help you. I have been a counsellor for 14 years and recently trained as a CBT therapist. I have broad experience in supporting individuals through challenging times in their lives. I have helped adults, older people and teenagers manage issues such as low self-esteem/confidence; depression; anxiety; anger management; separation/divorce; isolation; relationship issues and parenting issues; domestic abuse; self-harm; suicidal ideation; miscarriages; alcohol abuse; childhood trauma; trust issues.

In addition to my career as a counsellor and CBT therapist, I'm qualified and ran Forest Bathing sessions in Kew Gardens and the Surrey Hills. Offering ‘Walk and Talk’ sessions is the combination of years of counselling integrated with a deep understanding and experience on accessing the benefit of being in nature, based on science and tested practice.

How can I help you?

In bringing a warm and calm demeanour, I intend to offer a reassuring, supportive and secure environment for my clients. Within a caring and non-judgmental relationship, I aim to provide a safe place for clients to explore issues and to empower them to make informed decisions. I will respect your confidentiality and I adhere to the BACP Professional Conduct and Ethical Framework. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. As a registered member of the BACP, I work to their standards and complete ongoing professional development to ensure my practice remains current and effective.

As an Integrative Relational Counsellor, I aim to integrate different counselling approaches according to my client’s issues and specific needs. Attachment Theory is at the heart of my counselling approach. I believe our first experiences of emotional attachment to our main carers and the subsequent development of our attachment style as we grow up impact our resilience as adults. Attachment Theory is part of Psychodynamic counselling and so I explore past events to understand your coping mechanisms and the messages you have assimilated about yourself as you grew up. The Person-Centred approach allows me to remain connected with your present issues and ensure the quality of our therapeutic relationship by offering you empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence.

Sometimes our problems relate to the way we formulate and understand events and when working on issues such as anxiety and phobias, Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT) can provide target solutions. CBT can help you by changing the way you think and behave.

 Through recent advances in neuroscience, we have acquired a deeper understanding of how mind, body and emotions are connected and Mindfulness approaches, including Forest Bathing, allow us to slow down, becoming aware of ourselves and our environment in a non-judgmental way, while using our senses to remain anchored in the present moment.

Walk and Talk has many benefits and I truly believe in the benefit of spending time in nature. Depending on your issues and needs we might have a blended approach of sessions of walking and talking in addition to traditional counselling sessions, to ensure we can explore deeply the issues that are concerning you.

Where do I work?

I offer counselling remotely, either by video or phone, and face-to-face.  I have a dedicated private room for counselling/CBT therapy and my face-to-face sessions can include 'Walk and Talk'. Since the first week of lockdown, I started to contact my clients remotely, which meant they continued to receive my support without interruption. From my professional experience and feedback from my clients, working remotely or face-to-face is a personal preference and both are efficient.

I run the walk and talk sessions in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, during the daytime for health and safety reasons. There is no bad weather for walking in nature, just wrong clothing! I will send you plenty of information if you would like to try this new approach to counselling and nature.

What is next?

If you would like to find out more, I offer one off free session of 30 minutes, to learn more about me and to find out if I am the right person for you.

There are several counselling approaches, and this can feel a bit confusing. Research has shown that the relationship between the client and the counsellor is the most important element in the change process. It is therefore essential that you find a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and attuned.

If you are happy with my approach and believe we can effectively work together we can set up an initial contract of seven sessions, including one or two initial sessions where we will explore what are your concerns, and your backgrounds and identify one or two goals. After seven sessions we can review where we are and if we have achieved your goals. If you decide you want to continue, we will start an open-ended contract, that is we will continue until you are satisfied you have reached the result you wanted.

Sessions will take place weekly and preferably at the same time and day. I am happy to be flexible if you are working shifts.