Introduction and About Me
INFORMATION
As you have found your way here, it might be safe to say you are searching for answers, something is bothering you or you are considering making some change in your life.
Perhaps you have decided it’s time to talk to someone other than a friend, family member or work colleague and to share things about yourself that you wish to be held in a professional, non-judgemental, confidential and safe manner.
Maybe you are concerned about some behaviour that’s affecting you, your friends, family or work.
Perhaps you wish to get away from or find a way to adapt to a difficult situation you find yourself in.
You may be in crisis or have experienced a recent trauma, loss of a loved one or are unsure why you are feeling the way you are.
You may have memories, thoughts and feelings that are bothering you. Dreams and poor sleep may be affecting you.
Perhaps you have already had therapy and wish to start up once more, are looking for something different or wish to give yourself further time to talk about your life.
Counselling/psychotherapy can help however, please be mindful that therapy can be challenging and takes time and commitment. Change may be rapid or may take a little longer.
Revealing things about yourself to a stranger may be unfamiliar to you at first and it may take a while for you to settle.
On the other hand what you can learn about yourself, how you can come to accept your experience, make changes in your perception of your world, find understanding of your thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviour can be deeply rewarding and profoundly life-changing.
There are no guarantees in this work and it will be up to you how far you wish to go and at what pace.
We will work together in response to your needs and this can involve short-term or longer-term therapy.
I usually offer once or twice weekly 50-minute sessions and fortnightly meetings are also possible. Days and times for appointments can either be regular or can be flexible to fit in with your schedule. I am also able to offer Skype and telephone sessions.
CONFIDENTIALITY
It is important that you know that all our contact is treated with confidentiality as a vital part of our work together and we will discuss this at our first meeting.
BACKGROUND AND PROFILE
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
UK Registered Counsellor/Psychotherapist (UKRCP)
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (Accredited 2006, Senior Accredited 2012)
I am bound by the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and subject to the professional conduct procedure therein. www.bacp.co.uk
MEMBERSHIPS HELD:
(FDAP) Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals www.fdap.org.uk
(AFT) Association for Family Therapy www.aft.org.uk
(CAPD) Corporate Association for Professional Development, Hampstead, London.
QUALIFICATIONS
Level (I) & (II) (PG.Dip.) Systemic Family/Couples Counsellor/Psychotherapist (2009/2010)
MA Counselling and Psychotherapy (2008) Research Dissertation “Shame and Guilt”
Dip. Counselling / Consultancy Supervision (2005)
Adv. Dip. Therapeutic Counselling (2003)
B.Sc (Hons) Soc. (1978)
RECENT PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2009-2010 Level (I) & (II) (PG.Dip.) Systemic Family/Couples Therapy, Prudence Skynner Family Therapy Clinic, SW London & St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, Springfield Hospital, Tooting
2008-2009 “Introduction to Psychoanalysis”, The Philadelphia Association, Hampstead, London.
2008-2009 “Developing Supervision Skills”, The British Association of Psychotherapists, (BAP) London.
Salaried, Non-salaried and Honorary Statutory and non Statutory Clinical Work experience:
Age UK (Formerly Age Concern)
Awareness Centre Addiction Recovery Programme
Awareness Centre Counselling/Psychotherapy and NHS Service
Balham Community Counselling Service (BCCS)
Blenheim CDP Community Drug and Alcohol Agency
Chanel 4 Film Productions Support Psychotherapist
Criminal Reduction Initiative Hammersmith & Fulham (CRI)
Dovedale Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Ealing Drug Intervention Alcohol Service (DIAS)
Equinox Alcohol Service (EAS)
Family Adolescent & Child Team, SW London & St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust.
Family Adults Clinic, SW London & St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust.
Freedom Recovery Centre (FRC)
ITV Programme Support Psychotherapist
KCA Foundation (Bypass) Young Person’s Addiction Service
Lambeth Social Services Family and Children Services
Lambeth College
Lambeth Mind
Lavender Hill Association of Community Psychotherapists
Missing People
Merton Social Services Child and family Psychotherapy
Refugee Council
Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPT)
Safer London Foundation
SPACE Community Counselling Service
Space Kensington & Chelsea Counselling Services
Stirling University Psychotherapy Research Support
Turning Point Adult Alcohol Service (ACAPS)
Victim Support, Homicide, Rape, Domestic Violence Teams
Wandsworth Social Services Child and Family Safeguarding Team