
‘To my mind, empathy is in itself a healing agent….If a person is understood, he or she belongs'
- Carl Rogers
As an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I work collaboratively with you to explore your thoughts, behaviours and emotions in a way that best suits you. We may touch on re-occurring patterns of behaviours and feelings, we may or may not look at the past or be more future focused, it’s up to you.
I aim to create a safe, non-judgemental space for you to hear your own voice away from the prejudices of others, I am a listening ear available to hear your story and work with you towards your therapy goals. It is hoped that we learn from each other and make use of our ‘differences’ to provide incite. I might offer some theory, a question or an intervention if I feel it might be helpful. As an Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor I draw from a variety of therapy schools, I am always learning and researching and building on my repertoire of skills to keep up-to-date with new ways of working.
I am fully supervised and have a variety of Professional contacts in the counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy world, so you get the benefit of a team of counsellors working behind the scenes on your sessions, keeping you safe and providing the best possible service.
Within my role as an Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor, I don’t offer advice but we work together to help you find your own way. This is because the ‘person-centred approach’ stands in the belief that we are born with an actualising tendency which urges us to evolve and mature positively when we are surrounded by the core conditions of worth. This means that through working together, making use of our authentic selves, we hope to reveal answers you already have inside you, answers that maybe obscured from view, through stress and environmental impacts.
With me by your side you will not be alone and everything between us will be held in the strictness of confidence.
I work to the BACP code of ethics giving you the assurance that I have your interests firmly in mind, please visit my ethics page for further information on confidentiality of our sessions. (see ethics page).
(Please be aware that I may be required to pass information on from our sessions if harm to yourself or others seems an imminent possibility)

Integrative Counselling a hollistic, collaborative approach with you in mind.
So how does integrative counselling work?
Integrative counselling, also called integrative psychotherapy, is a relatively new, holistic approach, which embraces the individual. I work from different schools of thought which means we can change tack and flex if one modality of counselling is not working for you.
Key theories used by integrative counsellors and psychotherapists in general are as follows:
Humanistic Theory – we have a natural pre-determination to find our own way and are ready primed to seek the life that is best for us, it embraces our uniqueness but recognises that this can affect the ways we move forward through life.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) – This is often recommended by the NHS. This therapy sees our thoughts, feelings and actions as connected. Talking therapy and therapeutic exercises can be used to quieten negative internal dialogue and intrusive thoughts.
Psychodynamic Therapy – This mode of therapy works on the belief that we run subconscious patterns often created through challenges and trauma through childhood. These can affect us, sometimes negatively in later life. Within this type of therapy, it is recognised as ‘cathartic’ to be open and talk about these experiences and you are encouraged to do so in order to reveal subconscous patterns of belief and behaviour that runs through our relationships with others. (With Cognitive Hypnotherapy and EMDR, other therapies I offer, we may tap into past trauma but only to reframe the meaning, talking is not always necessary unless you feel the need to share, visit my Cognitive Hypnotherapy page for more information).
Mindfulness – When we are thinking of the past or the future we are not in the moment. Cognitive Hypnotherapists would call this living in ‘trance moments’. It’s the moments when we are not in the here and now that our thoughts and emotions run stress patterns and can lead to feelings of anxiety. The benefits of mindfulness are becoming clear to see, as this popular therapy is becoming recognised in mainstream therapy. If you like nature and mindfulness than visit my eco-therapy page, this could be the therapy for you.