I have a wide range of counselling experience having worked with adults, adolescents and children in private practice (online and face to face), agencies and school settings. For the last three years I have worked online with adults in private practice, but offer face to face sessions also. 

I hope to provide a safe, empathic and non-judgemental space for people to explore their experiences and be actively heard and understood. Through close attunement and tracking my clients gain greater awareness and understanding fostering increased self-compassion, which enables progress to take place. I view the therapeutic relationship as a 'we' - I offer my authentic self as a co-worker and one who recognises that I'm not the expert on another person's life but I am a facilitator - offering my reflections, observations and ideas to aid my clients' processing and promoting active change towards their goals.

I feel that working with all aspects of troubling experience: thoughts (often involving self-critical and self-limiting beliefs), feelings, behaviours and sensory aspects, provides a full picture from which key areas to work on emerge. As new research has highlighted effective approaches I have incorporated these and as a result my approach draws on a range of theories: trauma-informed approaches such as EMDR, sensorimotor psychotherapy, polyvagal theory, internal family systems, exposure and ritual prevention and mindfulness exercises, along with interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive behavioural approaches and attachment theory. My clients soon find the way of working that suits them. I ensure that my clients have access to a range of high quality and evidence-based resources related to their particular concerns and we would have regular reviews to discuss levels of satisfaction with the therapy.

I am a qualified EMDR therapist through training approved by EMDR Europe Association and am a member of the EMDR UK Association. EMDR has been widely researched and found to be beneficial for a range of symptoms. The client retains conscious control over the processing and there is an eight phase protocol which provides structure and safety for the client. The bilateral stimulation can be achieved in a number of ways, not solely via eye movements. Positive results with EMDR are frequently seen more quickly than through talking therapies alone and do not require the distressing material to be spoken about in any depth.

I have a particular interest in neurodivergent conditions (which often co-occur) in adults and young people and have worked with many clients with ASD, ADHD and OCD. An important part is recognising those conducive environments in which the authentic self can flourish and masking can be minimised. I am an Autism Informed Professional and an ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) with Evergreen Certifications and keep up to date with recent findings. Porges' polyvagal theory suggests that ASD is 'a common threat state which initiates defensive responses such as 'anxiety, poor social interaction and hypersensitivity' (Porges et al, 2013). This theory recognises that a neurodivergent presentation changes according to the state of the autonomic nervous system - supporting the use of mindfulness, sensorimotor skills, bilateral stimulation, a focus on positives/interests and greater mastery of habitual responses. With AD/HD or AD/HD inattentive type, I offer strategies to support executive function, sleep and self-care. Whether to pursue a diagnosis and processing the impact of one are important parts of the therapy.  

I offer online sessions and also face to face at Effra Space in Brixton and Herne Hill space in Herne Hill, London, which is fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Taking that step towards self-healing takes courage and my role is to be an effective, attuned 'other' to assist my clients in their journey of reconnection to self and to others, and towards achieving their goals. Do get in touch and we can talk about what will be most helpful for you in the free 15 minute consultation.