|
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, grandmother 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 they wish 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 I work 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. I also collaborate with other lived experience therapists and coaches who understand the challenges this brings to the individual and their loved ones. My passion for this work is personal. As a young person I experienced extreme shyness, anxiety, school phobia and 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 our 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. I work as a counsellor in schools where my clients age from 11 to 18. In the past I worked as supervisor to a team of mental health advocates and I was chair of Anglia Ruskin University Counselling Society. |