About Me

My experience

I have been a practising and fully qualified counsellor for 17 years and Occupational Therapist for 24 years. During this time, I have provided counselling to adults and young people, within both NHS mental health services (including Adult Mental Health Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and private practice. This has given me substantial experience of working with a variety people, at different stages in their lives, who are struggling with their emotions and mental health state.  I am both confident and competent to work with a variety of issues, as highlighted below.

At present, I work part time within NHS mental health services, run a small independent private counselling practice and am a tutor on the Foundations of Human Relations and Counselling and Diploma of Human Relations and Counselling courses run by Human Development Scotland, Glasgow.  I am also a COSCA approved trainer in their Certificate in Counselling Skills.

My varied experience means that I am able take an integrative approach to my work and can draw on a range of skills to help me in supporting clients to move forward in their lives.  It also means that I have a solid understanding of how various factors, such as trauma, abuse (be it physical, sexual and or emotional),  personality, relationships, change, loss, stress, neglect and physical illness can impact upon who we become at different stages in our lives.

My professional membership

I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP). This is the leading regulatory body within the field and means that I comply with their code of conduct and their guidelines for safe and ethical practice. This includes treating what we discuss in sessions confidentially, provided neither you nor anyone else is at risk of harm.

As an Occupational Therapist, I am also a registered member of the Health  and Care Professions Council (HCPC) meaning that I meet with their standards regarding levels of training, experience and ethical practice.

My Qualifications

My professional qualifications

  • Masters in Psychoanalytic Observation and Reflective Practice: Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People (University of Strathclyde) – 2018
  • Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling (The Garnethill Centre, Glasgow) – 2005
  • Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling (The Garnethill Centre, Glasgow) – 2003
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (University College of Ripon and York St John) – 1998

Continued professional development – short courses

I have undertaken a number of trainings over the years, some of which are listed below.  Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list of trainings, but is intended to provide evidence of my ongoing commitment to my professional development and the requirements of BACP and HCPC.

  • STORM Suicide Prevention Training – all four modules
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  • Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • The impact of multi-generational trauma on personality development
  • Child protection issues and the impact of childhood sexual abuse
  • Gender incongruence