"We are the sky, everything else is just the weather"
- Pema Chödren
I am a qualified and accredited cognitive behaviour therapist (CBT). This remains the foundation of my approach but the way I work has naturally changed and evolved over the years. Extensive client work, a great deal of continued learning, my own personal development and even life's inevitable challenges have all been influential.
Some of the major influences along this path continue to be Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Ecotherapy amongst others. My own mindfulness meditation practice has also informed my work. All of these approaches and practices have a growing body of research behind them, showing them to be very effective ways of increasing one's wellbeing.
As a result of the influences above, attitudes and practices such as developing acceptance and self-compassion, tuning in to the present moment, opening up to difficulty, developing resilience, increasing gratitude, hope, and joy have all become important cornerstones and recurrent themes in the way I work.
My Experience
Over the years I have had experience of helping people with many different issues, such as:
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anxiety and stress
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low mood and depression
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substance misuse /addiction
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long term health conditions
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grief and loss (loved ones, work, health, freedom)
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self-acceptance
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learning to say 'no'
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perfectionism
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life balance and wellbeing
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relationship difficulties
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shame and guilt
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self criticism
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loneliness and isolation
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confidence and self esteem
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gambling
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issues around identity and sexuality
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sexual performance issues
I entered the Substance Misuse field almost 20 years ago, initially as a massage therapist, but soon noticed that I spent a lot of time talking to people about their experiences and problems and that I really enjoyed these interactions.
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And so my counselling training began.
Since then:
I have offered counselling since 2005 in Drug and Alcohol Services.
I have worked within the NHS offering talking therapy to people with Long Term Health Conditions.
I also had a Private Practice in South Wales for some years.
Currently I offer video counselling online from my home in south west France. I can also offer face to face counselling and walking therapy sessions from my base in the Corrèze, 19500.
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As a result of my work over the past 15 years, I have been very fortunate to work with an enormously diverse range of people. Having worked with many people who have been marginalised and discriminated against, the values of equality and inclusivity underpin my ethos and it is my fervent belief that all people should be offered respect and compassion.
My
Work
A bit of background
​In my mid 30s, after the unexpected death of a sibling a year earlier, I realised that I had come pretty unstuck. Thankfully I was encouraged to go for counselling and, with a little persistence (it took a couple of goes) I found the right counsellor for me.
He was a trained cognitive behaviour therapist (CBT) but, perhaps more important to me at that moment than his qualifications, was the fact that he was enormously warm, empathic and helpfully pragmatic. He was seemingly unshockable and, to top it off, he had a lovely sense of humour. He was innately human and I felt instantly reassured.
He soon helped me to shift my focus from the dark in my days towards the lighter, happier moments and, as such, helped me to find movement and hope again.
When I started my training in 2005, this experience was very influential and has always shaped my counselling style.
My mission is to help the people I work with live the most meaningful and positive life that they can live, and it is always my pleasure and my honour to be a part of that process of change.
Qualifications & Training
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling (PG Cert. Counselling)
Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (PG Dip. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
Accreditation with British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP Accred.)
Online Counselling (ACTO approved)
Numerous shorter training courses over the years, predominantly in the following fields:
Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Ecotherapy & Compassion Focused Therapy.
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And ​20 years of personal practice in mindfulness meditation, including many residential retreats.
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Professional Membership
BACP: I am a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and, as such, I abide by the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and the Supplementary Guidance for Working Online.
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In line with BACP requirements, I am committed to regular supervision and training as part of my continued professional development.
Insurance & DBS
BGi.eu Professional Indeminity Insurance
DBS Online Check in UK
