About Me

If you are reading this you are probably looking for someone that you hope will be able to help you. In some ways this is the most daunting step, especially if you have not had any prior experience of therapy. I hope it might help if I explain in simple terms how therapy, and particularly Cognitive Analytic therapy, which is the model I use, can help people move away from sometimes longstanding difficulties which are negatively impacting your mental health and wellbeing.

In CAT we would spend a few sessions exploring events from your past to start to explain what might be behind some of your symptoms/difficulties. After this I would write a letter based on what we have discussed together, to summarise our understanding of these events and to start to think about why certain patterns of behaviour may have developed over time. We then use this as a basis for drawing up a "map" of your own personal interactions and behaviours from which you can then start to learn how to notice these patterns in your relationships both with others and also yourself. Once you are very familiar with these, you gradually get to a point where you have a choice in what you do next. If you don't understand what you are doing in the here and now in some detail, it is very difficult to do anything different. CAT is a powerful model of therapy (of course I would say that!) that is both relatively short term but which provides people with a safe space in which to explore both past difficult experiences and current painful feelings and thoughts. It usually runs for between 16 and 24 sessions. I usually suggest having a free 15-20 min preliminary phone call to discuss what issues you are wanting to work on and for you to get a sense of whether or not we can work well together. If you wanted to also have a preliminary assessment session, this would be an option.

I started out training in medicine and worked in general practice and psychiatry for a few years. Latterly I worked for several years in perinatal psychiatry and have also worked with parents and their babies therapeutically and so have a particular interest in this area. I then retrained as a CAT psychotherapist and supervisor, and worked in a specialist NHS psychological service providing a variety of therapies to people with complex psychological problems. However I also worked in a service providing up to six sessions of psychotherapeutic support for junior doctors needing additional emotional support and from this have been impressed by how much benefit people can gain in a relatively short time frame.

I charge £80 per 50 minute session and the therapy is weekly. I can sometimes provide a lower cost to people on lower incomes - just message me about this

I work with

• Couples
• Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Cognitive Analytic Therapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Depression
• Health-related Issues
• Relationships