Íø±¬ÃÅ

Have virtual availability, and some limited face to face times.  

Hello

 As well as seeing clients in my private practice I have experience counselling, and supporting in the following areas: bereavement, employee support, domestic abuse, parenting and family support, carer support , and schools. This experience enables me to work in a holistic way including signposting to other organisations when needed.

I welcome, and really value working with all clients aged 18 and above, and have a special interest in providing support to women as they navigate pivotal stages and transitions in life, and also clients who have received a late neurodivergence diagnosis, or remain undiagnosed.

I regularly attend training, and learning events so my knowledge as a therapist is up to date,  and bring my learning to the therapy room, and have regular supervision (this is a requirement of my membership with Íø±¬ÃÅ) to make sure that I provide the best service that I can for all of my clients.

Life consistently presents a range of challenges, some we can cope with and some we cant. These can present as traumatic events, illness, bereavement, loss, redundancy, relationship breakdown, separation or divorce, caregiving, menopause, parenting (particularly during the early years and teenage period or having a child with SEND), adjusting to an empty nest, and unhealthy relationships. There may also be sexual, and physical abuse .. which may not always be recognised. This list is not exhaustive and can include various other difficulties.

We can all use coping strategies that include avoidance (not leaving the home, not dealing with everyday life, losing contact with the outside world) addiction, unhealthy relationships, working too much, or other methods so we can get through the day, but these are not helpful in the long term. Suppressing or ignoring these can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, fatigue, low self-esteem,  lack of confidence, feelings of overwhelm, stress, sleep disturbances, and physical pain, and discomfort. 

In the therapy room you don't need to use these coping strategies, you can unmask and show the real you.

Maybe you haven't shown anyone the real you before, and maybe you haven’t shared what you want to discuss in therapy with anyone else before.

My approach, and style is relaxed and is rooted in Person Centred Therapy with a preference for Integrative counselling allowing me to use various methods suited to you including CBT ( Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ). 

My role is to provide a non judgemental space for you to explore the way that you feel in a way that feels comfortable, and supportive for you. In our sessions you can process the reasons behind your feelings, thoughts,  behaviours. 

Feelings are feelings they are not good or bad.

Your thoughts are not facts, and I may also challenge you when necessary so you may consider a different perspective to the one you have about the way you think about your self, others or a situation, and will with your agreement bring in strategies that will help and support you. I believe that everyone is capable of change if needed, and that everyone is capable of deciding what is right for them.

This is your time, and your space, and when we work together you can talk about what ever you want to. I will not be shocked at what you talk about,  and nothing is too big or too small.

If you have experienced bereavement or loss ( doesn't matter how long ago ) we will work through the stages of grief together at your pace.

If you think that change including boundaries should be put in place we can work on what this looks like, and put in place strategies that will work for you. 

If you are having relationship difficulties ( may be home, with friends or at work ) we can we can explore your communication style, where this comes from, and explore together ways of getting your needs heard, and again putting in boundaries if needed.

If you are facing a cross path we can explore your options, and how this may look for you.

The counselling relationship is very important to therapy, and you need to feel comfortable with your therapist.

If you contact me we will have a free introductory chat. This is our opportunity to get to get to know each other, and will help to make sure that I have a picture of what support you would like, and to make sure that I can give you the support you need. This initial chat can be up to an hour if needed.

When we speak I would like to know a little bit about why you’re looking for counselling, and what you would like to work on, and I will let you know about the way that I work. I am very happy to answer any questions you have.

If you would like to proceed I will email you a short form to fill out so I can get a fuller picture of how you are feeling, and we can talk through this if needed. This isn’t a test it’s simply to help me understand a bit more about you. You don’t need to know all the answers, and it’s ok if you’re not sure what you want to say.

Further 50 minutes sessions can be face to face, virtual, by phone, or outdoors, and I can also offer home visits if needed. I use various counselling rooms in, and around  Bushey, Watford and surrounding areas.

The first session is often a huge relief for clients as they may have been holding on to buried experiences, thoughts and feelings for a long time, and they are finally making contact. I'm also aware that starting therapy can be overwhelming, and daunting and you may not know where to start, and this is ok .

This is your time, and I will be by your side supporting you each step.

I love what I do and what makes my work worthwhile is seeing clients unmask, talk about themselves in a way they never have before, learn and practice self care, value themselves, and improve their self esteem and confidence. Together, we will work on reducing your anxiety, and depression, and work through trauma and loss. 

Thank you for reading this, and I look forward to talking to you and getting to know more about you.