About Me

I believe it's important for you to find a person that you feel comfortable and safe with. This will be different for everyone so hopefully this information will help you decide if I might be the right person for you.

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My various life experiences have taught me that everyone suffers and that everyone’s suffering is different but equally valid. We can often amplify our pain by blaming ourselves. We say I “shouldn’t” be feeling like that or I “should” be able to get over it. But we are all human. So, I believe that being heard, understood and offered kindness can make an incredible difference. Especially if we are finding it hard to give ourselves that compassion.

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I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit in it with you, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will listen to try to understand your world. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.

 

I have experience in working with a wide range of issues through my work within the NHS, counselling adults in GP surgeries. Some of these issues have included; anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, PTSD, OCD and bereavement. 

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As well as being a qualified counsellor, I am also a qualified teacher. I have taught in secondary schools for almost 15 years. In this time I have witnessed the huge increase in mental health problems in young people and wanted to be part of the solution. For me teaching at its core has always been about relationships and communication and I have enjoyed putting these skills to use in the area of mental health.

 

I have worked for the charity Young Devon in secondary schools and in their community hub office in Plymouth. This work has involved working with young people 11 years and upwards on issues such as anger, relationships, emotion regulation, anxiety, self esteem and bereavement.