Welcome

Hello, thank-you for visiting my web site. I am an accredited counsellor offering short- and longer-term counselling for individuals. I can also offer small group and individual experiences within the broad themes and therapeutic depths of mindfulness and creative writing.

I work from The Centre for Whole Health, 12 Victoria Place, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 3BP.

The way I work

I practice an integrative blend of counselling designed to best suit you. Maybe you sense you need a one-off or a short series of sessions to address a particular issue or goal. You may be looking for a longer explorative counselling experience. The choice is yours to make. 

I am relatively active in sessions, meaning that our time together could often flow into an interactive discussion and wisdom sharing experience that is centred around you.

My personal contemplative, creative writing and meditative practices and my desire to live authentically and lightly upon this earth enhances my ability to be open, genuine and present within life and within any counselling relationship. 

I work within the ethical framework for good practice offered by my accrediting body (The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy-BACP).

Costs

I aim to make my fees affordable and flexible, (while respecting my ongoing costs and expertise). Typically a rate of between £30-£60 could be negotiated, depending on your income. For every three people paying within this range I will endeavour to offer a lower cost rate for someone on a more limited income.

My Approach

I aim to offer you a focussed refuge where you can be compassionately heard and accepted.

I will encourage you towards developing and/or strengthening an attitude of curiosity and gentleness towards yourself and others.

I choose to believe that we all have inner wisdom, peacefulness and resourcefulness which can be utilized towards growth and greater wellbeing.

I also know that we maybe meeting at a time when your inner wisdom is partially covered and distorted by suffering and painfulness. At these times being unkind to ourselves and separated from the love and trust of others is common.

I feel it is a privilege to be invited to connect and to gently journey through moments in another person’s life. Together we could rest within in a unique exploration, clarification and potent discovery of the fullness of you. 

‘At its best therapy can feel like getting down in the water together, neither person in charge,  just leaning in and with immense courageous gentleness letting the waves and the deep unfold.’

slightly adapted quote from James Finley

Experience

I have been a counsellor for students at Bristol University for the past 12 years (and as such cannot offer counselling to students from that institution at present).

I have offered ‘Mindfulness’ and ‘Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes’ group experiences for students during this time.

Prior to counselling, I worked as a qualified social worker for adults over 65 who are experiencing mental health issues, and a senior practitioner for those experiencing drug and alcohol dependency, and who are living with HIV and AIDS. I have also spent 2 years volunteering abroad with Voluntary Services Overseas (helping develop a social work programme in Belize, Central America).

Qualifications

Counselling

2003: Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (City of Bristol College & the Central School for Counselling and psychotherapy).
2012 : Counselling Accreditation (BACP).
2015: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) parts 1,2,3,4 (via EMDR Works).
2014 onwards: Various retreats and gatherings within Buddhist and Contemplative traditions (please ask if interested).

Other

1986: BA (Hons) Economics (Sunderland Polytechnic).
1993: Joint Diploma and Msc in Social Work (Southampton University).
2008:  Post Qualifying Award in Social Work (University of The West of England).
2008: Diploma in Creative Writing (Bristol University).

What refreshes me?

I love to meditate and also love to read, write poetry and journal. I sing in a beautiful choir and enjoy being in a crowd watching football, being alone with my solitude, and being with family and friends while living in a vibrant city of friends yet met.

Useful Links

BACP ethical framework

Centre for Whole Health:

http://www.lamrim.org.uk/cwh/wp/