About Me
Prior to setting up my private counselling practice I worked as a student and staff counsellor for a University Counselling Service. I also worked for a counselling service within the field of drug and alcohol addiction. I also spent over 3 years working for a Carers Support Service providing counselling to adult carers.My private counselling work involves general one-to-one counselling for adults; I also undertake short-term EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) counselling. Alongside my counselling work I continue to co-produce and co-facilitate workshops with a colleage, some of these have been aimed at supporting carers emotionally. I am also a telephone helpline counsellor for a major EAP provider.
Before taking up counselling as a full time profession I spent over 18 years in the electronics industry as a Project Manager and I bring to my practice the wealth of experience I gained working within a large commercial organisation.
Counselling model
My background and approach are based on the Humanistic counselling model and this forms the foundation for my work. As a humanistic counsellor I believe that every person is a unique individual and that as unique individuals everyone has the ability to change, grow and heal when they are given the right circumstances.
For more information on the principles of Humanistic counselling you can follow the link and visit the UK Association of Humanistic Psychology Practioners (UKAHPP) web site, www.ahpp.org/about/core.htm.
How I work
As your counsellor my aim is to enable you to increase your self-awareness and gain a greater insight into your own world. During our sessions you will be able to bring along and talk about the things that are on your mind. Exploring these together we can begin to identify the resources and strengths you have within yourself. Then from here you can start to make the changes in your life that in turn enable personal growth and healing to occur.
I believe the relationship between client and counsellor lies at the heart of the work. My aim is to offer you a relationship free from the experiences of the past, which at the same time allows you to explore your past experiences and relationships within the safety of this new setting.
If working creatively is something you enjoy and it helps you to express yourself, we can incorporate this into our sessions. I like to encourage clients who find this form of expression helpful to use their creativity through various media, this could be art, poetry, stones and shells, or music.
It is important to recognise that at times counselling can and will be a challenging experience. My aim is to ensure that you can explore these challenges within the safety of our counselling relationship. This exploration can be empowering and can lead you to look at your life from different perspectives.
Ethical standards
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), and work to their code of ethics
For more information about the BACP Ethical Framework please follow this link www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework.
Continued Professional Development (CPD)
My own continuing professional and personal development is important to me. CPD ensures I keep up with all the latest developments in the field of therapy as well as continuing to grow as a person. My CPD journey can include additional training or workshops, networking with other professionals, supervision and my own personal therapy.
Professional Qualifications
Chichester College - Certificate in Counselling Skills
University of Chichester - Diploma Humanistic Counselling
University of Chichester - Degree BA (Hons)Humanistic Counselling
Other training
Diploma in (NLP) Neuro Linguistic Programming (INLPTA)
Working with Addiction - Sussex Alcohol & Substance use Service (SASS)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Memberships
BACP - British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy - BACP Accredited Counsellor - MBACP (Accred), www.bacp.co.uk.
UKRCP - United Kingdom Register of Counsellors & Psycotherapists - UKRCP Reg. Independent Counsellor, www.ukrconline.org.uk.
HACP - Hampshire Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, www.hacp.co.uk.
Sussex Counselling, www.sussex-counselling.co.uk.
Emsworth Business Association, www.emsworth.org.uk
My details can also be found in the following
The Counselling Directory, www.counselling-directory.org.uk
The UK & Ireland Directory of Counselling & Psychotherapy, www.cpdirectory.com
Gotosee Health & Therapy Guide, www.gotosee.co.uk
Help To Heal, www.helptoheal.co.uk
Portsmouth Counsellors, www.portsmouthcounsellors.com
