My Approach

Having cancer or a life-limiting illness can give rise to powerful feelings of anger, resentment, anxiety, fear, depression, denial, despair, guilt, failure, hopelessness and meaninglessness. It's as if your life has been shattered and is now full of uncertainty and a profound sense of not knowing can ensue. You can feel very alone, isolated from others, in a place where the outlook is bleak and where you are confronted with your mortality.

Equally, a search for meaning and purpose can arise that may lead to new discoveries about yourself, who you are and how you might want to make changes in your life that are creative, life-affirming and fulfilling. This can sometimes lead to an exploration of your cultural background, spirituality and possible transcendent ways of being.

I offer a safe supportive space where we can take time to talk through the many concerns and fears you may have. This can include coping with the treatments and their side-effects and managing the uncertain trajectory of the disease as you navigate your way through the many healthcare pathways. We can examine your relationships with others, your work, hobbies, physical activity, social interactions, personal and spiritual concerns. Past and present traumas, that may have laid buried, may come to light and may need attention and care. By working together we can look towards a way to healing these over time.

My way of being values an interactive and relational approach to therapy where I can assist and facilitate a greater awareness of how you are living and what changes you might want to make.

Working existentially allows me to be alongside you at this difficult time, a place we can talk, look, explore, share and feel with a view to finding new meanings, purposes and connections with others.

About Me

I am an existential humanistic psychotherapist specialising in working with people who have, or have been affected by cancer, or any life-limiting illness. This includes partners, family members, friends and carers affected by the diagnosis of their loved one. My work includes working with grief, bereavement and loss following the death of another.
I have had over thirty years experience as a cancer and palliative care nurse specialist and nurse practitioner with adults, young people and children so am very familiar with the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual impact that a diagnosis can have on a person's life at all levels.

I was motivated to work with people at a deeper, psychological and spiritual level as I observed the level of psychological distress people undergo when they receive a diagnosis or are closely related to the person affected by the disease. This led me to study for a post graduate diploma in humanistic psychotherapeuutic counselling followed by a Master of Science in Psychotherapy at the University of Brighton focusing on a humanistic, person-centred, existential way of working with people.

I currently work part-time as a therapist for a cancer charity in Exeter that provides psychological support for people with cancer at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

I work with

• Couples
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

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

• UTC Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Age-related Issues
• Anxiety
• Couple Issues
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Relationships
• Separation
• Spirituality