It can be a great relief to share your worries and fears with someone who acknowledges your feelings and can help you find a way forward. If you're struggling to live fully because of anxiety or insomnia, you'll probably be surprised by how much improvement you can get through focused counselling. For people living with cancer, sight loss and other long term health conditions, talking to someone who gets it and doesnt tell you to 'look on the bright side' can feel like a big weight lifted.
About me and my practice
When life feels hard to cope with, for whatever reason, you want a safe place to explore whats going on for you, a place where you know youll be listened to and you dont have to pretend that everythings OK.
Sometimes you can find this with friends or family, but sometimes that doesnt feel possible or helpful; you may have reasons why your nearest and dearest are the last people you want to share your thoughts and feelings with. This is where talking to a counsellor or therapist, a neutral person who isnt part of your life, can make a difference. I offer you that safe place, where you wont be told what you should, or shouldnt think, feel, say or do, and anything can be talked about. You dont have to edit what you say, and you have a whole hour without ever feeling you having to change the subject (unless you want to, of course).
Each client is a unique individual and so I work differently with each person, depending on what brings you to counselling and what you hope to get from sessions. I often work with clients who bring these issues:
- anxiety, panic attacks and stress.
- poor sleep and insomnia.
- finding ways to live with a long term health condition, for example a diagnosis of cancer, sight loss, fibromyalgia.
- bereavement and other kinds of loss, such as the end of a relationship.
- feelings of low mood, or depression.
- personal, family and professional relationships (only one to one counselling).
- confidence and self-esteem.
I also work with many other difficulties which might lead you to consider counselling or therapy. I offer sessions by phone and video, which can be convenient and flexible for you. Im based in South Cheshire, near Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent, but you can be in London, Cardiff or Edinburgh, or anywhere else in the UK, and still have me as your counsellor.
Experience
I specialise particularly in working with clients who are suffering because of anxiety and/or poor sleep, and clients who live with long term health conditions, for example a diagnosis of cancer, sight loss, fibromyalgia and other conditions.
My professional experience includes face to face, video and phone counselling in a wide range of settings:
- Private practice.
- Counselling through insurers such as BUPA and WPA, and charities such as Anxiety UK and Retail Trust.
- Employee Assistance Programmes such as Onebright, Health Assured, Wellbeing Solutions, CIC.
- Cheshire Councils Occupational Health Service.
- Just Drop In youth counselling service, Macclesfield.
- NHS Staff Support & Counselling Service, North Staffs Combined Healthcare Trust.
Qualifications
MSc in Counselling Psychology, Keele University.
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Keele University.
Certificate in Counselling, Keele University.
As well as the above general qualifications, I have also undertaken training in many other specific areas via workshops and continuing professional development, including:
- Counselling for Sight Loss (RNIB accredited sight loss counsellor).
- CBT for Insomnia, the gold standard non-pharmaceutical treatment recommended by NICE.
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy which aims to reduce the risk of recurrent depression for people who have experienced repeated episodes.
Additional Information
I have Accredited Professional membership of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and work within their Code of Ethics. I am registered with NCPSs Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists which is accredited under a scheme set up by the Department of Health and approved by The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
(NCPS membership number: NCS23-00122).
I have an enhanced DBS (was CRB) check and Im fully insured.
Professional Membership
NCPS Accredited Professional
Professional Register
National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Verified by Counsellingo on Saturday, 30 September 2023
Initial Consultation
Counselling works only if the relationship between client and counsellor works, and so I offer a first half-hour session at a nominal fee of £10, you can see if you would feel comfortable about us working together, and ask any questions you might have. If youd like to begin working together straight away, you can book an hours session instead. Youre also welcome to call for a brief chat or contact me with no obligation to make an appointment.
Fees
For one hour telephone sessions, my fee is £35.
For one hour video sessions, my fee is £45.
If youd like an introductory chat before deciding if counselling is for you, I offer this at a nominal fee of £10 for up to 30 minutes.
When I Work
I usually work from 8am to 6.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Video Platforms
I work by phone and video (usually Zoom).
Area
Cheshire
