My Background, training, and approach
Having spent most of my life in the creative arts, I decided in 2009 to pursue my interest in people and healing. I trained in Holistic Massage, Clinical Aromatherapy and Reflexology, and subsequently graduated with First Class honours (2013) from the BSc Complementary Therapies programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
I was also awarded a prize for my research into the use of Aromatherapy Massage in the management of Chronic (long term) Insomnia.
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I undertook my graduate Complementary Therapy placement in a residential short- stay mental health crisis centre, where I ran a weekly clinic working with people suffering acute mental health crises - using Massage, Reflexology and Aromatherapy to support clients, aid their relaxation, and ease their stress.
This experience left me convinced of the valuable role that Complementary Therapies can play, alongside conventional medicine, in aiding healing through creating a calm, supportive space for deep relaxation. It also led to my decision to train to be a counsellor.
*I work online - and also offer in-person holistic and talking therapies to women, LGTBQIA+ inclusive
I initially started my counselling training by focussing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - obtaining a level 7 PGC in CBT counseling skills, and began further CBT training on a Masters course. However, after two terms and quite a few client hours, I came to the realisation that whilst CBT can be a great tool, I had become disillusioned with how CBT is often delivered within the UK - and therefore how clients often sometimes experience it.
I wanted to get back to the underpinnings of CBT - which are person - centred. This, coupled with the knowledge that one single therapeutic approach cannot suit every person in every circumstance, convinced me to train as a person-centred counsellor, qualifying to practice in 2022 and gaining my certificate of profiency from the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
My eclectic training means I can now offer either Humanistic, Person-Centred approaches, or CBT, or Mindfulness - or a blend of all three according to what best suits you - the uniquely complex, individual, human client.
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I have my own personal daily mindfulness practice, and since qualifying as a counselor I have trained as a Mindfulness Teacher and am qualified to teach mindfulness to groups and also one-to-one.
This includes teaching the 8 week Mindfulness Now program- which is approved by the British Psychological Society. I have also undertaken further CPD (Continuing Professional Development) - with Dr Gabor Mate in his Compassionate Enquiry approach, Single Session therapy with Prof Windy Dryden, also Emotion Focussing, OCD, Grief and working with People with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
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I'm a registered member of the BACP (British Association for counseling and Psychotherapy) (MBACP: Reg. number 398007) and follow their code of ethics. You can view my profile on the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists Directory, and the Psychology Today directory, by clicking the buttons.
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I regularly work with people living with Alzheimer's / Dementia - both in their own homes and in residential care settings in my work with Effro- part of Platfform Wellbeing.
I am fully insured and have a full DS check as I work regularly with vulnerable people.
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