About me
I am a qualified counsellor with a First Class BA (Hons) and Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling from the Metanoia Institute, which is accredited by Middlesex University. Metanoia is a well-established training institute founded in the early 1980s and was among the first organisations in the UK to offer humanistically-oriented professional training programmes.
I have worked in a number of counselling settings in London, including currently being Lead Counsellor for a GP practice; more than three years working with a specialised bereavement service; and a year in an organisation offering low-cost counselling to the local community.
I am a registered member of the BACP – the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy - and work according to their ethical framework. I am also a member of ACTO – the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online – and have completed specialised training enabling me to offer you a safe, ethical and professional standard of online and telephone counselling.
I am registered with the ICO - Information Commissioner's Office - and am fully insured.
Like many therapists, I have worked in other fields before coming into the world of professional counselling. In the past, you might have found me in the kitchen or dining room of my restaurant; catering for functions; baking wedding cakes; or working as a Private Assistant or Office Manager.
You might equally have encountered me at an evening class studying Italian, art or... an Introduction to Counselling. I was drawn to this subject having had therapy myself at a time when my life felt difficult and I needed some help to work through things.
This led, eventually, to making the decision to pursue a new and fulfilling career in counselling, and undertaking a 4-year training at Metanoia. I now work in my own practice, together with my role as Lead Counsellor at a London GP practice and as a volunteer counsellor for a London-based bereavement service.
Photo © Pietro Costanzo Photographer
Although each person’s situation is unique, some of the many issues I work with include:
- exploring gender, sex and relationship diversity, and offering an affirming approach to LGBTQ+ clients;
- the impact of the pandemic and COVID-19.
Photo © Simon Widgery
No matter what your situation is, counselling can provide a space which is confidential, supportive and affirming so that we can work through what matters to you at the pace that suits you, to help you through even the most difficult times.
As a person-centred therapist, I won’t direct or advise you. This way of working holds you at the centre, in the belief that only you are the expert in what is right for you.
I've been in therapy myself, and I understand that it's not always easy to make the first step and approach a counsellor. I try to make this as straightforward and reassuring as possible.
I aim to ensure that my practice is inclusive, recognising that some communities face specific oppression and discrimination. My Continuing Professional Development is extremely important to me, and some of the recent trainings I have undertaken include:
- Defining Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy (GSRDT) (Pink Therapy, 2023)
- Working Safely & Ethically with Clients at Risk (BACP, 2023)
- Cultural Competency (Nafsiyat, 2023)
- Queer and Quirky: neurodivergence in LGBTQA+ people (Sam Hope, 2024)