±«ÓãÊÓƵ

I work with clients on Mondays only. Unfortunately I am unable to offer weekend or evening appointments.

Please note that I offer 60 minute appointments not the more standard 50 minute sessions.

I am a Feminist Counsellor and Psychotherapist who works predominantly with women.  Usually, women come to me when they are finding life overwhelming and are struggling to figure out how to keep up with all of the demands that the world puts on them.  Many of the women I work with have experienced trauma, sometimes childhood trauma, sometimes relational trauma, sometimes abuse, domestic violence or rape. 

Sometimes women come to see me because the are struggling to get pregnant, they have miscarried or they are going through IVF.  Often women come to see me because they are drowning under the the pressure of having to live up to being the perfect women, in the perfect body, with a perfect home, perfect kids and a perfect career. 

I am a Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist, this means that I work relationally; my sessions are client led.  I don't usually do worksheets with you, give you homework or tell you what to do.  We will speak about what feels most important for you each session, and I will offer you an honest, safe and non-judgemental space to talk and explore your thoughts and feelings so that together, we can find a way to challenge them, or learn to accept them. I will complete regular reviews with you to make sure that you are getting what you need from the sessions.

In my experience, there is rarely a 'quick fix' for difficulties with mental health and low mood; often 'quick fixes' can cause more problems later down the line. However, it's important to be able to feel more in control of difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviours while working things through, this is why I have done some additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Rewind Trauma Therapy to enhance my 3 year core practitioner counselling training. I might use elements of these and other techniques if I feel it is appropriate for you and our work together. 

Qualifications and Specialisms 

I have a post-graduate Masters Degree in Clinical Counselling from the University of Chester.  I am now a senior lecturer teaching on this Masters course.

I have published research in Maternal Mental Health. I am currently completing a PhD in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Chester University.  My feminist research looks at societal discourses of Maternal Mental Health in the UK and the way that they impact recovery doing further research in this area. If you are a mother of any age who has experienced confusing feelings towards motherhood, or around being a mother, I can help. 

I am a Trauma-Informed Therapist, this means that I have an in-depth understanding of the way in which the body and mind reacts, adapts and changes in response to developmental trauma and other traumatic events.

​I am also a Social Justice Informed Therapist. This means that I am aware of power, politics and the impact of these on mental health. Understanding and exploring systemic issues of sexism, racism, ableism and classism and their impact in a therapeutic setting can be incredibly empowering, and I can support you with this.

​I have worked at a charity which is dedicated to the Prevention of Suicide. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide and/or suicidal ideation, I can help you to keep safe from these often frightening and overwhelming thoughts whilst supporting you to understand where they come from and what you can do to move past them.

Initial appointments are offered at a lower rate of £30 so that we can decide if we are the right fit for each other.

This appointment will last for 50mins and it will be quite different to following sessions.  During this initial appointment we will discuss why you wanted to come to counselling and what you would like to change or gain from the sessions.  This will be an opportunity to find out if you feel comfortable working with me, and if and how I can best meet your needs.  It's so important that you find the right 'fit' for counselling.  Not all counsellors will meet your expectations, you might not feel comfortable with some therapists, and yet with others it may feel just right.  

​If you book in with me I will send you some information about the way that I work before the session, you can read through this before you come, or we can discuss it together during our initial hour together.