Qualifications and Training

My original qualification included 100 hours of supervised volunteer counselling in organisations who provided low-cost or free therapy to people from very diverse backgrounds. It cemented within me the need for therapy to be more affordable and accessible to all.

My initial training was person centered, in essence this means believing you, are the expert in your own life. I believe Carl Rodgers summed up this approach best with this quote;

When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a little on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color.’ I don’t do that. I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch it with awe as it unfolds”.

My role as your therapist is to explore with you the barriers to that glorious sunset, whatever they may be. Think of it as a wall, blocking the view of the colours, and together we work to remove each brick, a collaborative and creative process.

I have undergone specific extra training and am experienced in working with:

• gender and sex diversities including; asexuality, BDSM, multisexuality, trans, gender diverse and non binary identities, intersex,  furries, and other non cis/het ways of experiencing and being gender and sex
• Neurodivergence, including autism, ADHD, AUADHD and other neurotypes
• Consensual Non Monogamy, including relationship anarchy, poly and ways of doing relationships and kinships outside of white supremacist norms
• child abuse
• bereavement
• drug and alcohol use
• rape and sexual assault 
• family breakdown
• domestic abuse and coercive control
• working with sex workers

I graduated with my Post Graduate Diploma in Gender, Sexual and Relationship diversity therapy in 2019, it is one of the few courses in the world to cover this area in depth and I am an Advanced Accredited Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversities Therapist as awarded by Pink Therapy and Pink Therapy Clinical Associate.

Choosing to start therapy is for many a huge step. People can be concerned about stigma, stirring up the past, being judged. Many people approach me after previous negative experiences of therapy, often with the NHS. My approach is always rooted in my belief that everyone is doing the best they can, with the resources they have available to them. My job is to work with you to increase your access to resources.

What happens in the first session?

Before our first session I offer a free half hour chat, by phone or online so you can get  get a feel for whether I am the right therapist for your needs. It is a chance to ask questions, explore any possible overlaps or dual relationships and see how I work. Every potential client is given a copy of my personal boundaries statement, which is often a very useful starting point for any shared connections or spaces we may have.

In the initial session we will discuss practicalities, such as time, contact between sessions, emergency contacts and so forth. I will have provided you with a written contract, which gives you a clear outline of what to expect from me. We will also discuss issues around self care, and understanding that therapy can stir up strong emotions and how you work towards safely feeling those emotions.

More and more people are finding that online counselling provides the flexibility and convenience they need. It can be the ideal solution for many, including those with disabilities, carers, parents, those who live in rural areas, and simply people whose schedules do not always allow the time to attend traditional face to face counselling. You do not need to be a technical wizard however, I would talk you through any questions you have about the platforms used, including how to keep our sessions private from other members of the household if necessary.

Things to consider

Whilst online counselling can seem ideal with its greater flexibility there are things to consider when deciding whether it is for you.

• Privacy: would you be able to ensure there was a time, and place each week where you would be able to attend sessions without interruptions. Some people, especially in shared households like to use headphones, just to ensure their privacy.
• Location; It can help if you think about where you will be for our sessions, preferable somewhere comfortable which feels secure to you. Whilst often bedrooms can seem the logical choice, it can help to somehow “separate” off the therapeutic space, but this can be as simple as not sitting on the bed, or using a different chair to usual.
• Confidentiality: When using a shared computer or network confidentiality can be an issue. However I could talk you through any worries you might have to ensure our sessions remained confidential. Unfortunately public access computers, such as in libraries are not suitable. In this instance I might suggest telephone counselling instead.
• Familiarity: Using new platforms for communication can seem daunting. However most are quite straightforward, and I can provide a simple how to guide for those not used to either web cams or instant messaging.

Payment

Sessions usually last 50* minutes and cost between £40 and £65 per session and can take place either by paypal, swift, direct debit or bank transfer. I offer a limited number of lower cost sessions for those on low incomes.

* the 50 minute theraputic hour is a convention, nothing more, if you feel a different length of time works better for you, we can discuss it, and within the constraints of the diary work to find a session length that fits your needs not the needs of long dead white men.