I trained as an Integrative Child and Adolescent Counsellor at the Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education in London and am a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling Psychotherapists). 

 

Before becoming a Counsellor, I held various roles within school communities. I also worked for a Local Authority as a Specialist Advisory Teacher and for a few years as an Independent Educational Consultant. In addition, I am a qualified SENDCo (Special Educational Needs/Disability Co-ordinator). 

 

For me, the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people are paramount. It is for this reason that I decided to retrain and focus the remainder of my vocational career as a Counsellor, working alongside children and young people by providing a safe, empathic, non-judgemental therapeutic space to help them explore and process feelings, thoughts and challenging situations. 

 

I work from an integrative perspective which means that I can use various theories and approaches to meet the individual needs of the young person on their therapeutic journey. 

 

I am particularly mindful of the connection between the mind and the body and how the arts can be used to bring into conscious awareness feelings that may not previously have been understood or expressed. Current research in neuroscience and the human brain is also a growing field of learning that contributes to my integrative approach to counselling. 

 

The basis of my practice, however, is always the therapeutic relationship. This is integral for any positive change and healing to occur. 

 

As well as being a member of the BodhiSpace Community, my counselling background includes working as a Counsellor in primary and secondary schools and at a charity based in Peterborough providing mental health support for young people. 

 

I have experience of working with a range of challenges, concerns or problems which include: anxiety, bereavement, blended/extended families, family separation/divorce, identity, impact of covid, low mood, neurodiversity including ASD, OCD, relationships, self-harm, and stress.