Areas of Work
Depression
As depression can be a terrifying and isolating experience, engaging with a good listener can be a good first step. This provides an opportunity to pull apart the threads that have led to current mindset. With my support, we can safely examine these threads to gain more understanding and help you commence the journey of alleviating your symptoms.
This work can feel messy but with time and a skilled holding the roots of suffering and the way forward can come into view.
Anxiety
Anxiety affects people differently and can be overwhelming. Counselling provides a safe space for exploration, and for you bring the unsaid out into the open.
My aim is to help you gain more control over your situation, to develop more supportive habits in order to foster new ways of thinking and being. Along with listening I can also help you explore other tool such as those from CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and compassion-based practices.
Grief & Loss
Grief can arise from many types of loss, not just the death of a loved one, but also the loss of a pet, lost opportunities, childhood experiences, ruptured relationships or life changes. I provide a safe, supportive space to explore and process these feelings, to help make meaning of them and to move towards more acceptance.
Trauma work
Early life trauma and past experiences can leave lasting effects into adulthood. Through the practice of good listening, I can support you to bring issues into your awareness in a more knowing way. By bringing theory into the room, I can help you understand the mechanisms that have led to your suffering.
A good collaborative process can help you join the dots to understand your present experience and this meaning making can be a turning point.
Life Changes & Transitions
The experience of unexpected life events can leave us feeling unsure and overwhelmed, it could feel like the ground has been taken from under your feet. Having a space to share these challenges and to take on some grounding practices can be a good space to start.
Together we can explore which practices resonate with you helping you to navigate these changes from a more self-compassionate mindset.
Workplace & Caregiver Burnout
Certain types of work can make it especially difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. When this balance gets out of kilter, feelings of isolation and overwhelm can take hold. Caregiving especially can be all-consuming, leaving you emotionally and physically drained. I have a long number of years of working in the care industry and have experienced the journey in and out of burnout. I can help you to explore where your vulnerable spots are and determine what boundary issues are at play for you.
Self-care practices are important when burnout is in your experience, we can explore what practices suit you to help you become more resourced.
Personal Growth
Coming for therapy doesn’t have to involve an obvious crisis, sometimes a challenge can be more under the radar and a slow burn, but a part of you knows that it’s there. The experience of feeling stuck in your life can be stressful and it isn’t always easy to recognise when it’s happening.
Maybe others are moving on with their lives, and you feel you are not, maybe you are procrastinating, maybe you have some big dream that is hiding under a rock. Left unaddressed, this can be very impactful over time and leave us in a much more difficult place down the line.
I can help you to explore these challenges and to find a manageable starting point of taking action.
Training
I provide training to organisations in the areas of self-care and positive mental health in the workplace. I bring many years of experience facilitating and delivering training across a range of healthcare settings. I have spent 25 years working in the area of intellectual and physical disability, mostly in the role of team leader and carrying out some hands-on front-line work.
Throughout this time, I have overseen the development and management of an independent living training programme, supported team development and delivered training to front line workers. My approach is practical, engaging and grounded in real life experience making it relatable for workers. You can find more details of my training on this page.