Intro to Counselling:
Sometimes it feels like the life that we end up living is a long way from how we imagined it would be. This can leave us feeling disappointed, low or even angry at ourselves for failing to somehow achieve everything we thought we were supposed to. Perhaps we have made many compromises in our lives that have left us feeling that we have somehow neglected how to look after ourselves. Counselling is a safe space in which to explore your most intimate issues - fears, needs, desires, a place to experience your vulnerability and as a result, develop into a person you enjoy being.
About how I work:
The first step towards making any sort of permanent change is to actually notice that you are not content and you want to do something about it. To seek help is to actually value yourself enough dare to move towards achieving the life you want to be living. It is as if taking this time to voice what you have been feeling deep inside begins a process of allowing a part of you to be fully heard and valued.
After you've made the choice to go into counselling it is important that you feel you can both trust this person deeply enough to want to work with them and feel whether they are competent to help you achieve the changes you desire. I therefore offer a low cost first session.
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The first session:
This will be an assessment session which will last for up to an hour. I will ask you a series of questions to gain an understanding of what has brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from it. You will also have an opportunity to ask me any questions you may also have. There is no obligation after the first session, but it will provide the opportunity for you to ask any questions about the process of therapy or my way of working, and decide if I am the right therapist for you.
Why I trained as a Counsellor:
After a quite a rich and varied life which included times where I worked abroad and lived in many different locations I realised that I really needed to uncover some parts of my past which seemed to be stopping me going forwards. It became clear that I was looking for a much deeper experience of life, and felt joy and relief when I discovered that through trusting the process of therapy I could actually make huge changes to the way I felt about myself. I wanted to become a Counsellor as a result.
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My Interests:
I have a huge respect for this planet, and the beauty and diversity of all forms of life that I see when I walk on Dartmoor or other places that bring me into contact with nature. From this I derive a great deal of pleasure from painting, particularly animals and trees. I am also a musician, a potter, a wood carver and a keen gardener.
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A little about myself:
I have always felt passionate about working with people, I spent 16 years working as a therapist within the NHS both individually and running groups for people with mental health problems.
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I've worked as a specialist Arts therapist within a Therapeutic Community
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I have worked as a clinical supervisor for The Southwest School of Dramatherapy
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I have been a tutor at the Central/Sesame Course of Dramatherapy
I've the pleasure of working with many different clients, I am equally happy working with women or men and have particular respect for peoples cultural or sexual orientation.