Counselling and therapy in North Leeds - promoting insight, change and growth
I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from the University of Leicester and I am both registered and senior accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (reg. no. 49709). My registration demonstrates that I abide by the BACP code of conduct and ethical framework. My accreditation demonstrates that I have achieved high standards of knowledge, experience and development in my therapeutic practice and my senior accreditation recognises that through my post qualification personal and profession development I have achieved extensive expertise in specialist areas of work as identified below . To visit the BACP website click here
Throughout my career I have engaged in regular continuing professional development in topics such as attachment theory, eating disorders, trauma, experiences of care experienced children and young people, adoption and mindfulness.
I have been working as a counsellor since 2010. I have experience of working in the charitable and voluntary sectors, the NHS (IAPT) and higher education settings as well as private practice. I have worked with adult clients presenting a range of issues including anxiety and depression, cultural difference, relationship issues, adoption, bereavement, work related stress, eating disorders, addictions, sexual abuse.
I offer both long term open ended therapy as well as brief solution focused therapy. I also work for a number of Employee Assistance Programmes including BUPA and I am an accepted therapist for Clear Minds, a charity that provides long term counselling support for people who have been affected by significant trauma in their lives and who can't afford to pay for therapy.
My work is informed by psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories including attachment theory. These theories explore how our early relationships, experiences and environment shape our adult selves. I believe that sometimes the things that cause us difficulty are those that we are not consciously aware of. I aim to help my clients become more aware of these things by developing greater insight into their 'inner world'. Often when people become more aware of these 'unconscious' patterns and issues they are able to process them in a way that over time offers a sense of relief enabling them to move forward in life. For an excellent introduction to the Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy by Dr Jonathan Shedler click here.
My practice is also informed by the way in which trauma affects people and the ways therapy can support those suffering from trauma. In relation to this I have undertaken specific trauma training as well as training in mindfulness and using mindfulness in therapy. I use this in my work with clients to promote a greater capacity for managing difficult or intrusive feelings and emotional self regulation along with a greater sense of personal insight and awareness.
More recently I have completed my level 2 DDP (dyadic developmental psychotherapy) training which supports foster and adoptive families and children.
I also have nearly 30 years experience of working in a major public sector organisation including 15 years in senior leadership posts. From this I have gained particular insights into the challenges which working in large organisations can pose. Where appropriate, I use my experience in this field to work with clients in a solution focused way.
