About Me

I realise just how difficult it is to write ‘about me’. You probably need to know that I am qualified (I have a BSc in Counselling), but it is also good to know something of the person with whom you may entrust your Self. I am a wife, mother and carer, cook, gardener, artist, lover of nature and music, I’m a vegetarian and my work is influenced by the practice of mindfulness which is part of a personal practice of Buddhist influences. People who know me might say that I get things done, the truth is that I'm passionate about living life to the full, but I can be a bit chaotic at times! My favourite thing is to talk to other people, which is fortunate.

I work using an integrative approach, which means that the way I work draws on different forms of therapy, depending on what is most beneficial to my client and the issues he or she wishes to explore. I view the person as a whole, not just as their presenting problem, my approach therefore recognises and addresses all four dimensions of humanity, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual.
These days my work is evolving to be much more holistic, because I have learnt that unless we address the whole being we are missing important elements in the healing and wellness process.

Body Dysmorphia and  Anxiety in the family
Recently I have started working with individuals who have Body Dysmorphia (BDD) or body image difficulties and I'm interested in working with young people who have anxiety. I've written a little about this in the section 'More' of this website.

However right at the start of my introduction I'd like to say that my passion for this topic is personal. As a young person I experienced extreme shyness, anxiety, school phobia, body image issues, I had a period of time when I compulsively picked at my skin and I came close to falling into an eating disorder. A much loved family member has suffered with BDD and this has been a life changing journey for my family.

There is limited support for family or the individual who suffers and I am convinced that getting early help for all concerned is essential. I have gained a great deal of experience in these topics and for this reason I propose a new way of  treating body image difficulties.

I'd be pleased to talk with you about your situation, whether that be about yourself or someone close to you, simply contact me if the time feels right.

I have regular supervision with a highly experienced therapist.

In the past I  worked as supervisor to a team of mental health advocates and I currently am chair of Anglia Ruskin University Counselling Society which is a not for profit organisation which offers professional development and support to counsellors and psychotherapists in the Essex and London area.

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