My core approach is Person-Centred
Person-Centred Therapy is a type of counselling that has the view that, everyone has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change when they are in the right environment and conditions. The counsellor is not considered to be the expert or as director of the therapy, but instead offers the vital core conditions; unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence to help you come to terms with any negative feelings and to change and develop in your own way.
Attachment-Based Psychotherapy is a supportive and empowering approach to therapy that focuses on building healthy relationships and emotional well-being.
- Focuses on attachment: Attachment theory is a well-established framework for understanding how early relationships impact our emotional development. Research shows that attachment styles are born at this time. By acknowledging its importance, I can help you to have an understanding of the root causes of potential issues.
- Safe and secure environment: This is crucial for any therapy to be successful. By emphasising creating a safe space, I will aid you to feel safe so that you can be open and vulnerable without fear of judgment. This will help to build earned security.
- Building self-worth and relationships: Many therapeutic goals revolve around these two areas. I can help clients develop healthier relationships with compassion for yourself and others.
- Reduced conflict and improved emotional regulation: These are common struggles for many people in therapy.By working on these improvements, it will potential benefits your overall life experience.
- Psycho-education: is an excellent tool for helping you as the client to understand your own experiences and it can promote self-awareness and will help you to engage in the therapeutic process.
Trauma Therapy
I have a diploma in trauma therapy so I can hold the space if any trauma comes into the room. Whether it is from childhood or with partners, this includes sexual, physical, domestic or emotional abuse, coercive and financial control. I have worked with those affected by narcissistic parents and partners. I have also experience in working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
My professional background; includes previously working for Samaritans; helping those when they need crisis support is one of the reasons I decided to train to be a counsellor in the first place. I currently work for Circles South East, supporting survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. In my previous counselling experience, I have worked in a secondary school supporting teenagers. I have also worked for a lower-cost counselling service; to allow those on lower incomes to be able to access counselling.
A bit about my background…
I was a hairdresser for the previous 22 years; they always say hairdressers are part counsellors and they are right to a degree. It has enabled me to hone my listening skills and build people’s confidence; with great hair! I owned a hairdressing salon in the past; which was an amazing part of my life and I ran it successfully for 12 years. Additionally, I had the privilege of training many new successful hairdressers. As I had devoted my life to the salon and spent so much time looking after others, I ended up neglecting myself. I decided to seek counselling to help myself understand my struggles, which was a game changer for me.
I have been on my counselling journey for a long time, as in the past I suffered with anxiety, suicidal thoughts and depression. Additionally, I have worked through my past traumatic bullying days, close bereavements, loss of friendships/relationships and worked on my sense of self-worth. I have also worked on the inner parts of myself and my attachment in my relationships. I will continue to have counselling as I feel this is important for myself and my clients.
In my personal therapy, I have found someone to talk to, that is not in my inner circle, an enlightening and invaluable experience. It has provided me with a greater level of self-awareness; it has helped me to put boundaries in place, which I sorely lacked and I feel better for this self-discovery. It has not been easy journey, but has taught me how to be accepting of my authentic self. I will continue to work on myself within my therapy, as I feel it will be invaluable in helping me be a better counsellor for my clients.
