My experience and outlook
I have over 28 years experience working with people in distress and/or with mental health issues. For the past 18 years in my work I have used Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) to facilitate people move towards more fulfilling lives. In the last seven years I have been specialising in working with people who present with the symptoms of trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
In the past I was employed in areas requiring a social work qualification working extensively with people who were experiencing a number of difficulties in their lives. These often resulted in high levels of distress leading to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression sometimes as a result of traumatic early life experiences. My work then, and now, involves enabling people to make sense of their anxiety, their lives as well as their behaviour so that they can start to make changes and move forward towards a more fulfilling lifestyle. What motivates and encourages me in my work as a psychotherapist is hearing from clients that our work together has resulted in reduced anxiety, lifting of mood and thereby people starting to get their lives back on track and/or in some cases resulting in positive life changes.
My work as a psychotherapist and counsellor has until the last few months been located within Sussex. However, following recent events I am now also offering sessions online. Therapy for many can appear to be a daunting process and the prospect of undertaking work online even more so. However, it is my experience since embarking on this way way of working, that both EMDR and CBT is incredibly effective when using an online platform.
Additionally this way of engaging in treatment can have benefits in terms of greater flexibility for both client and therapist. Therapy can be either on an open-ended basis or for an agreed period of time but I am committed to providing a psychological intervention in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.
Psychotherapy and Counselling has been found to be beneficial in helping people with a variety of psychological difficulties. The approaches that I have found most useful in my work as a psychotherapist and counsellor have been EMDR and CBT. These are at the cutting edge of therapeutic interventions, are known to give good outcomes, resulting in people achieving their personal goals and are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Click here
It is my experience that people do better who are able to commit to therapy by attending sessions regularly. Furthermore those who make most progress are those that set time aside for reflection between sessions and if appropriate are able to undertake some reading or practical tasks as well. Therapy is often about making changes and so it is important to bear this in mind thereby being open to change before embarking on this journey.
My Qualifications
My accreditation and qualifications are:
* EMDR Europe Accredited Consultant and Clinical Supervisor - (www.emdrassociation.org.uk)
* Accredited EMDR Practitioner - (www.emdrassociation.org.uk)
* Supervision of CBT, University of Surrey;
* Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Intervention (CBT), University of Surrey;
* Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, Roehampton Institute, London - An Institute of the University of Surrey;
* Diploma in Social Work, DipSW, University of East Anglia;
* MA in Social Work, University of East Anglia;
* BA double Hons, Social Anthropology, University of East Anglia;
If you would like to know more about my qualifications and experience then please do ask.
I abide by the Codes of Ethics of the above organisations.
I have professional insurance for my work.