Being a teen can be a confusing and traumatic time - what we experience in our adolescence can impact us for the rest of our lives.

I am passionate about supporting young people during times of uncertainty, and offer a calm, empathic, non-judgemental space to try and make sense of it all.

Young people might find value in talking to a professionally trained counsellor about areas such as: anxiety, depression, friendships, school, identity, family, self harm to name just a few.

“The counsellor's role is to help children and young people extend their awareness of their subjective world and support their natural striving toward self-awareness, self-acceptance and personally-determined solutions”

- British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)

The impact of a bereavement is different for everyone, some might be left feeling numb or lonely whilst others might be distraught, grief stricken, scared perhaps.

Losing someone we care about often means (unwanted) change and having to make peace with your new ‘normal’ alongside the deep emotion you might be feeling.

I’m here to help you navigate your way through this. I offer a regular place and time to remember the person you have lost and to explore your grief - I will support you as you move through it at your own pace.

Being in a relationship takes work!

Attending counselling with your partner offers the opportunity to really get to know one another - a neutral space in which to explore difficulties and express thoughts, feelings and concerns safely, together.

This has the potential to lead to improved communication, a deeper understanding of each other and ultimately a more meaningful relationship.

As your counsellor I can support you in identifying and addressing problem areas - i.e. patterns of communication, or behaviour, that may be contributing to conflicts - and then in developing healthier communication skills and coping mechanisms.

Overall, benefits of counselling with a partner can include:

• strengthening emotional connection by promoting empathy and mutual support

• encouraging exploration of shared goals, values, and expectations - facilitating a more profound emotional bond

• improved communication and conflict resolution skills,

  and

• the promotion of a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

I am interested in the connection with women’s hormones and mental health and in supporting those living with conditions such as:

· PMDD (Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder)

· PME (Pre-menstrual exacerbation of an underlying disorder)

· Peri-menopause

· Menopause

· Post Natal Depression 

I am not medically trained and therefore not an expert in hormones, however do have lived experience of hormonal challenges and this is what feeds my passion in supporting women who experience poor mental and/or physical health as a result of hormonal fluctuations and imbalance.

• I can offer support and empathy as you navigate, adjust and move forward. Together we can address your current strategies and consider other (therapeutic) approaches that might help alleviate distress

• If relevant/useful, I can offer (therapeutic) support as you seek or receive medical treatment (with your specialist’s agreement).

There are many possible differences in the way our brains work and, as such, a wide range of ways we can perceive and respond to the world.

These differences can present challenges when living in a world that feels like its built for neurotypical people - ranging from poor mental health and feeling flawed to difficulties with executive functioning, heightened sensory responses, alexithymia, PDA and much more.

Neurodivergence is a concept many people, particularly adolescents, are increasingly comfortable identifying with, even without a formal diagnosis, since it provides, amongst other things:

• a clear, brain-based explanation for difficulties

• a way of making sense of what one is going through

• a sense of community with others

Ultimately it is one word that attempts to describe many different peoples' experiences but typically refers to neurodevelopmental conditions such as: ADHD, ASC (Autism), dyslexia and learning differences.

Neurodivergence and counselling

If you suspect you (or someone close to you) are neurodivergent, or have a recent diagnosis, you may feel like you’re on a bit of a journey - it might be a positive one; of discovery, curiosity, acceptance ... or it may be less positive; perhaps you're navigating isolation, overwhelm, low self-esteem, grief even.

As a neurodivergence-affirming counsellor I offer respect, acceptance and support as you learn to feel comfortable in your own skin and build a life that works best for your brain and your unique needs.

You might find therapy useful to:

• explore and understand your suspected or official diagnosis, experience of masking and current day to day strategies

• work on your general mindset, expectations and self acceptance - find peace with your new reality

• start setting boundaries

• explore self care that really works for you

• start feeling whole, healthy, understood

I am not an expert - I am not medically trained - but, as a late-diagnosed ADHD-er, I do have my own lived experience of invisible neuro differences and am passionate about supporting others grow into their unique neurodivergent identity and move from surviving to thriving.

“Trauma responses are a normal response to abnormal circumstances”

A traumatic event is often unexpected, involving anything from illness, accident or disaster, to assault, abuse, combat and more.

We can respond differently to trauma - even when exposed to the same event as someone else; a range of emotional, physical and psychological responses might be experienced (for example: feeling on edge, unable to sleep, overwhelmed or unable to care for ourselves properly - or we might turn to risk behaviours, withdraw or be physically ill).

There are no right or wrong ways to feel, but being supported by a professional counsellor and having the time and space to process and understand what has happened can help us move forward in a positive way.

Counselling can help us make sense of events, find perspective, come to terms with what happened and feel empowered to adjust and recover enough - not just to carry on as before, but to actually grow psychologically, understand ourselves and our world better and ultimately create a better quality of life for ourselves.

As your counsellor I will work respectfully, gently and compassionately with you as you find your strength, power and discover new meaning.

We will always work in a way that suits you, at your pace, towards a future that is right for you.