ABOUT ME

I am a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor based in Preston, which is centrally located in Lancashire in the North West of England. A considerable proportion of my work is for an occupational health company where I am a working as part of an employee assistance programme (EAP).  I also see private clients from my therapy room which is based at my home.  I cover areas concerning victims/survivors of sexual assault and abuse.  Sexuality, sexual identity, workplace issues, depression and schizophrenia are other areas that I also cover. 

I have regular supervision and attend workshops and various training days to keep me up to date with counselling issues and to help my continuing professional development. 

I am accredited with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) who are one of a number of principal professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. The BACP have a comprehensive code of ethics and a complaints procedure in order to ensure high standards of professional practice.  The course on which I trained is also accredited by the BACP.

Before I became a counsellor, I studied for three years at university and have a first class Honours Degree in Applied Psychology.  Since becoming a counsellor, I have also completed a Masters degree (in Counselling and Psychotherapy) and am currently researching a PhD in the same subject.  The time spent studying is giving me enormous insight into how and why we behave as we do.  Consequently, the knowledge gained when studying has helped me as a counsellor and informs the way I practice now. 

Whilst studying for my first degree, I was employed by the NHS and worked on a psychiatric ward.  I have encountered individuals suffering from schizophrenia, depression and psychosis.  This experience was extremely relevant to the work I do now.