Start your journey here

I work with people from all walks of life and with the complete range of struggles and anxieties that life can sometimes bring. Sometimes it is something in particular like death, divorce, depression or anxiety that make us feel as though we need therapy. However very often it can be an accumulation of several things or a feeling that you just can’t quite put your finger on. Whoever you are and whatever your situation, often we just need a safe and accepting environment where we can speak freely without the fear of judgement and reprisal. Therapy encourages the freedom of being in our own truth, whatever version of it is there that day.

Working with children and young people

When working with children and young people I am able to offer a play (therapy) and creative approach. For children and young people this of often a safer and sometimes easier way to engage with therapy, allowing them to express themselves at a pace and in a way that they feel comfortable with. Talking therapy can be hard for some people, and sometimes inaccessible for very young children, children with communication difficulties or children experiencing acute anxiety and/or trauma. A creative and playful approach does not require the child/young person to be able to verbalise their feelings and experiences, and instead enables them to communicate in a creative way.
Parents and carers often worry when a child has a problem that causes them to be sad, disruptive, rebellious, unable to cope or inattentive. You may be concerned about a child’s development, eating or sleeping patterns or how they are getting along with family, friends and at school.
Every child is unique and special but sometimes they experience problems with feelings or behaviours that cause disruption to their lives and the lives of those around them.
Some parents and carers delay seeking help because they worry that they will be blamed for their children’s behaviour. Feeling responsible for a child’s distress or problems is a normal part of caring. The fact that you have the commitment to start addressing the difficulty is a significant part of helping your child.
Play is vital to every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and language development. It helps make learning concrete for all children and young people including those for whom verbal communication may be difficult.

Why you might come

Psychotherapy and counselling have been increasing in popularity for quite some times and are now seen as an accepted method of self care. It is no longer only used when life is overwhelming and for many it is a place to spend time for ourselves, where we can reconnect with our hopes, our fears and our Self.

Many people seek outside help when there is a crisis or things become really unmanageable and it may be one or several of the following issues that make you feel as though therapy is the next step:​

• A bereavement or another type of loss

• Anxiety or panic attacks

• Repetition of painful and destructive cycles

• Trauma, violence or PTSD

• Addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, work or anything that makes your life unmanageable

• Divorce

• Destructive relationships

• Ilness

• Depression or overwhelming feelings

• Phobias

• Stuck and feeling unable to implement change

• Loneliness

• Anger or feeling out of control

• Sexuality

• Shameful feelings and thoughts

What you might gain

Every person has a different reason for seeking therapy, so each person will have a different outcome. One thing that most people will have in common after therapy is increased self awareness and an enhanced knowledge of who they are and what they need in life. It is this which gives people the freedom to move on, to let go or become the person they are destined to be.

Here are some positive outcomes for some. This is by no means an exhaustive list:

• More control over emotions

• Be at one with painful memories

• Have the power to say what they want or need

• Be able to listen and communicate with others

• Have a deeper and richer understanding of themselves

• Be able to connect with others and the world around them in a meaningful way

• Understand anger and manage it better

• Less anxiety

• Love oneself

• Trust your instinct

• Be in your truth without fear of reprisal

• Substance dependency lessened or in some cases gone

• Better sleep patterns

• Calmer and more centred way of being

• Mindful and more present

First steps

Taking the first steps towards therapy can feel daunting. The first thing to do is to contact me and we can arrange a time for us to have an initial appointment. During that appointment we can get to know each other and think together about how therapy might be helpful for you. It's an opportunity for us to think about what has brought you to therapy and explore if we can work together. 
Sessions are 50 minutes and are usually weekly. I can provide short, medium or long term therapy.