My Approach

I am a qualified Gestalt Psychotherapist and Systemic Psychotherapist. My approach is to work collaboratively, finding a way of working that fits for each person(s). I aim to create a safe space and private place where issues that are difficult to talk about can be discussed openly, with support and no judgement. Validating individual experiences and exploring personal meaning are central elements to the way in which I work. In family or couple work, facilitating understanding of each other's minds and the intentions, thoughts, wishes, desires and beliefs that underly our behaviours is central to my approach. When working with couples or families, I work from a position of neutrality and curiosity, which means that there is no blame or taking sides, rather a gentle exploration of how things have come to be the way they are and conversations about how things might be different.

I am influenced by Attachment Theory and use these ideas lightly in my work when I think they will be useful. I also have training in CBT and implement techniques from this modality, particularly when anxiety and depression are present. I regularly share my ideas as points for consideration; my intention is not to be an expert in the lives of others but to be able to introduce fresh perspectives that might be useful in bringing about change.

About Me

I have over 25 years experience working as a registered health and social care professional in a variety of settings, including children and families, adults and inpatients. I am passionate about social justice and making therapy accessible for all. I believe that psychotherapy should address the political as well as the personal, when working to make sense of the difficulties people experience in their lives. As a systemic psychotherapist, recognising how societal structures of power and privilege impact us, sometimes invisibly, can be an important part of forming new narratives for ourselves, either as individuals or within family and organisational systems.

I currently work four days per week as the Clinical Lead for the Sheffield NHS Relationship & Sexual Service, supporting couples and individuals resolve areas of difficulty in their sexual lives. Prior to this I worked as a family therapist in Riverdale Grange Specialist Eating Disorder hospital, working with parents, carers and/or partners to support their loved one in their recovery from anorexia nervosa. My previous experience includes working with looked after young people with histories of complex trauma. In 2013 I had a book published by Jessica Kingsley, which describes the therapeutic approach used by the Fostering Agency I worked for; 'Team Parenting for Children in Foster Care - A Model for Therapeutic, Integrated Care'.

I work privately one day a week with couples, individuals, families and supervisees. Some of my work is long-term, addressing complex trauma and attachment disruption through the therapeutic relationship. I also offer brief interventions; sometimes 4-6 sessions is all that is needed to resolve a difficulty,

I work with

• Children and young people
• Couples
• Families
• Groups
• 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

• Family and Systemic Psychotherapist
• Family Therapist
• Gestalt Psychotherapist
• Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist
• Systemic Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Adoption
• Age-related Issues
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bereavement
• Bulimia
• Bullying
• Cancer
• Chronic Illness
• Couple Issues
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Family
• Identity Problems
• Infertility
• Mental Health Issues
• Parents
• Phobias
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Private Practice Issues
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexuality
• Spirituality
• Step Families
• Stress
• Suicide
• Supervision
• Terminal Illness
• Training
• Trauma
• Workplace Counselling