ABOUT ME
My keen interest in human psychology spans 40+ years. As it has been such a fast growing field of knowledge throughout that time, I remain an eternal student and continue to explore new models of psychotherapy and interesting developments in research as they become available. I have many interests in life however I particularly value being in the natural world, that is certainly an essential part of my self-care.
I practice according to the Professional Guidelines and Codes of Ethics of my professional organisation, The British Psychological Society and the Health Care and Professions Council in the UK. My qualifications can be viewed online at the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council.
I've been a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor since 1996, working in the private sector and in the NHS. In 2005, I became a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow. Between 2006 and 2013, I was the dedicated Counselling Psychologist for Long-term Physical Health Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings. Before that I worked in the Chronic Pain Service at Eastbourne District General Hospital. During my training, I benefitted greatly from a two year placement within the specialist Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Service in Brighton and Hove NHS Trust.
I have been trained to work in a variety of models, psychodynamic, humanistic and CBT, with adults, and have experience in counselling and psychotherapy for a wide range of issues. The approach I would use in practice would depend on the individual needs and preferences of the client.
I am passionate about the usefulness of counselling and psychotherapy for just about anyone and any problem in life. In my view, basic counselling models and skills should be taught in schools from GCSE level, to give everyone a chance to improve their understanding of themselves and their relationships with others.
It is a disappointment to me that many counselling trainings are inadequate and this has led to people not receiving the help they expected or deserved. I think all trainings should be under the umbrella of a statutory body such as the Health Care Professions Council. I want to be part of a safer and more accountable profession. It is unfortunate that anyone can call themselves a counsellor even after just a ten week course at any old institution and that this to the layperson is indistinguishable from someone who may have trained for many years with highly experienced and talented trainers in the field and who may have read widely and deeply so as to be able to offer effective and transformative therapy.
But it isn't just about qualifications, as important as they are. It is about a therapist having the human qualities of insight, emotional literacy, compassion, warmth and creative flair. I am very sceptical of the current trend to reduce therapy to a technical manual as if therapy can be delivered by a computer. No doubt this will be a key area for the IT revolution that is upon us. Some aspects of therapy can certainly be reduced in this way, but for emotional healing to take place what is needed is a safe place within a safe relationship where new experiences of the human sort can be had, and new understandings through that therapeutic relationship, can be developed. IT will certainly have a place, but can a bot ever be programmed to understand ethics or morality or be able to care?
This is why I became a Counselling Psychologist rather than a Clinical Psychologist. I believe that the relationship between the therapist and the client is in many ways the most salient and transformative aspect of the therapeutic endeavour. There is plenty of research evidence to support this view.
Qualifications:
B.A.(Hons.) Social Psychology
Post-Graduate Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Therapy
M.Sc. Counselling Psychology
Qualification in Clinical Supervision
Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Associate Fellow British Psychological Society