Currently, the titles of ‘counsellor,’ ‘psychotherapist,’ and ‘psychologist’ are not legally protected, meaning there are no formal regulations governing the required training or qualifications for these roles. This lack of standardisation makes it essential to check a therapist’s professional registration with their accrediting body.

I am a registered member (392218) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This membership signifies that I meet their rigorous standards, which include specific requirements for training, supervision, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

The BACP also provides confidential support and guidance for clients with concerns about their therapy or therapist. They are the appropriate resource if a client wishes to raise a complaint or seek further information.

In addition to my BACP membership, I hold professional indemnity insurance and am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to ensure the highest standards of data protection and client confidentiality.

Qualifications & Training

I am a qualified, integrative therapist. I trained at the Iron Mill College in Exeter which is “a well-established, leading provider of education and training in mental health and wellbeing”.

Formal Qualifications:

• BSc Hons (University of Chichester)

• Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Accredited by the BACP)

• Certificate in Counselling (Accredited by the National Counselling Society, NCS)

• Counselling Young People Stage 1 (BACP Accredited)

My ongoing professional development and training include regular involvement in workshops, seminars and academic study.

Recent CPD has included:

• Master Class in Internal Family Systems Therapy - PESI

• Working with Complex Trauma - Iron Mill College

• Youth Mental Health First Aid - MHFA England 

• Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse Levels 1 & 2 - AVA 

• Moving Your Practice Online - Online Therapy Institute 

• Existential Therapy Workshop - Mick Cooper

• Working with Shame - Iron Mill College

• Bereavement Training - CHUMS

• Child Sexual Abuse: Hope for Healing - Carolyn Spring

Experience

I bring a wealth of life experience to my work, rooted in over a decade spent in the charity sector. During that time, I had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals across various settings—mentoring young people in schools, facilitating bereavement support groups, and providing pastoral care to adults. These experiences exposed me to the complexities of the human condition: grief, trauma, loss, addiction, depression, anxiety, and more. It deepened my empathy, honed my ability to connect with others, and clarified my desire to work with people on a deeper level.

As a therapist, I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and challenges. Every client’s journey has expanded my understanding of the many issues people face, reinforcing my commitment to providing compassionate, individualised care. Before transitioning to full-time private practice, I spent three years with a trauma recovery charity in Exeter, where I provided therapy to survivors of domestic abuse. This work was both humbling and inspiring, revealing the remarkable resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Today, I work with a broad range of presenting issues. I choose not to list specific areas of focus for my therapy practice because I believe that people don’t fit neatly into predefined categories. While labels can sometimes help guide support, they can also restrict how we see ourselves and each other. My approach is intentionally flexible and person-centred, committed to meeting each individual exactly where they are, regardless of the challenges they face.