At the moment, the titles of ‘counsellor’, ‘psychotherapist’ or ‘psychologist’ are not protected by law, meaning that there are no legal restrictions and regulations in terms of the standards of training or qualifications. Therefore, it is advisable to check the professional registration with their accrediting body.

I am a registered member (392218) of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). This means I meet their recommended minimum quality standards which cover training, supervision, continuing professional development and a contractual commitment to their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

The BACP offer confidential help with counselling issues and provide guidance and information to clients who have concerns about their therapy or therapist and they are the place to go if a client wishes to make a complaint.

I have professional indemnity insurance and am registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office).

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:

• Sports Science BSc Hons

• 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:

• 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 am in my 40s with a wealth of life experience. I spent the first part of my working life in the charity sector. I have worked with a diverse range of people in a variety of contexts; including mentoring young people in schools, facilitating bereavement support groups and providing pastoral care to adults. This has exposed me to the challenges people face in their day-to-day lives: grief, abuse, loss, addiction, trauma, depression and anxiety, to name just a few. It has helped me develop the skill of connecting with people and focused my desire to work with people more directly. 

As a therapist, I have worked with various clients from different backgrounds. Each client’s unique experience has given me deeper insight and understanding of a variety of presenting issues. 

Alongside my private practice, I spent three years working for a trauma recovery charity based in Exeter offering individual therapy to survivors of domestic abuse. 

It’s common to provide a list of all the areas that can be focused on during therapy, however, I have deliberately chosen not to do that. In my experience, people do not fit into neat, tidy boxes. Specific labels can sometimes be helpful when they are descriptive and help access the appropriate support, but less so when they are prescriptive and pigeonhole people. I am committed to working with all people, whatever their challenges and I would signpost anyone to the right support if I felt it was outside my competency.