As a person-centred therapist my practice is largely influenced by the principles and philosophies of the person-centred approach. This means that you are central to the direction and pace of the therapeutic process and moves away from the notion of the therapist being the sole expert on your personal experiences. Fortunately, psychological services and expertise are evolving and there are many alternatives available today with mounting evidence pointing to a demand for humanistic approaches.

​

Evidence gleaned from my own research has shown that many people seek psychological services to be understood as an individual and within the context of their lives rather than categorised into a generalised box. This in fact limits the human experience, leaving anything that doesn't fit a criteria to be diagnosed as an abnormality or disorder. In my personal and professional opinion this approach, which is offered by a leading and trusted service provider in the UK today, dismisses the fundamental essence of what it means to be an individual and a human being.

​

​

Training, qualifications & experience

​

I have a BA (Hons) degree in Humanistic Counselling Practice and an MA in Counselling Children and Young People from The University of Nottingham. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work in accordance with their ethical framework for good practice.

​

Student Services counsellor - Nottingham Trent University (2010 - 2014)
I offered short-term one-to-one Solution-Focused therapy to students. As sessions were time-limited it encouraged a focus on setting personal and academic goals to work through over the course of therapy. This safe and accepting space proved very helpful for work with supporting students psychologically and academically.

 

Psychotherapist, Committee member - Counselling Xtra, Nottingham (2009 - 2015)
Here I provided long and short-term therapy to adults and young people. Some of the issues I worked with and received further training in are: Depression, Domestic Violence, Cultural Oppression and Identity; Pre-Therapy; Therapeutic Drumming; Mindfulness; Sexuality; Energy Awareness; Counselling for Depression; Safeguarding, First Aid.

As a therapist and committee member I am passionate about developing humanistic counselling services that are accessible to all. During this time I attended monthly meetings to discuss effective and creative management of counselling service.

 

Practitioner, Researcher - Humanistic Therapies, Nottingham (2011 - 2014)
As the first of its kind, I became a member of the group, Humanistic Therapies, founded by a small number of researchers and practitioners from The University of Nottingham. Our aim was to increase the awareness and understanding of the person-centred approach and its potential benefits for human relationships in healthcare, education and other community organisations.

​

As a member I promoted and shared research and evidence of the person-centred approach outside of the counselling context. Our first workshop, 'The Impact of Practitioner Empathy on Healthcare Outcomes', invited medical staff to explore evidence and recent research which suggested how patient healthcare outcomes may be positively impacted by an empathic healthcare professional. The workshop received very positive feedback.

​

Psychotherapist, Private Practice - Awakenings, Nottingham (Jan 2016 - Nov 2016)
As a psychotherapist in private practice practice I offered a face-to-face Humanistic counselling service that was accessible to all. Similar to my previous experience, we embraced creative approaches to therapy such as the Play Therapy Approach, which offered sand trays, figures and pictures to provide alternative means for communication and expression. Clients were invited to access counselling tailored to their needs in an environment that was compassionate, accepting and respectful towards each person. 

​

​

​