My Approach
I work with an Integrative Connections Model, based on a belief that our 'self' is made up of parts that can often be disconnected from each other. I use different styles of therapy to inform the work and help clients to reintegrate themselves through self awareness and to find well-being. The therapies I use are CBT, exploring the mind and challenging core beliefs, Gestalt to explore emotions in the body and Transpersonal theory to explore our soul the part that drive us and gives us meaning in life and connects us to our world. This model of working has a nucleus of Person Centred therapy, where an open trusting therapeutic relationship needs to be established and is key in finding positive outcomes.
I work in a way that suits the individual, giving them space to explore and clarify their story, which may include their history and how their childhood has shaped the way they work and respond to the world as an adult.
As my clients become more comfortable I ask them questions to gain a deeper understanding of their inner world and what they feel will help them. I believe people know the answers, but need the confidence in themselves through self awareness
to be able to find the solutions that lead to well being.
We are all unique and so I am very flexible in my approach to the work and facilitate the client to lead their own process.
The therapeutic relationship will develop over time, allowing clients to open up and talk about things they may not have shared before; using our relationship to help find deeper connections with others outside the therapeutic space.
As my clients become more comfortable I ask them questions to gain a deeper understanding of their inner world and what they feel will help them. I believe people know the answers, but need the confidence in themselves through self awareness
to be able to find the solutions that lead to well being.
We are all unique and so I am very flexible in my approach to the work and facilitate the client to lead their own process.
The therapeutic relationship will develop over time, allowing clients to open up and talk about things they may not have shared before; using our relationship to help find deeper connections with others outside the therapeutic space.
my Training And Background
I moved to Cornwall over thirty years ago and began this journey as a Drama and English teacher finding myself drawn to the pastoral side of education. I became known as the teacher students could speak to when they felt troubled and it became a very rewarding part of my job. I then decided to develop these skills by becoming a Samaritan and through 5 years of listening on the phone I discovered I wanted to work more deeply with people.
As I began my qualifications I joined a Truro based counselling agency called 'Freshfield' and had three years training working with people suffering with addiction. I found this path allowed me to develop my therapeutic skills in many areas, as those who have struggled with addiction are often very open to exploring their lives and the issues that caused them to use drugs in the first place.
It has been a very rewarding and challenging part of my training and I still work with people whose lives are impacted by addiction, both directly and indirectly.
As I began my qualifications I joined a Truro based counselling agency called 'Freshfield' and had three years training working with people suffering with addiction. I found this path allowed me to develop my therapeutic skills in many areas, as those who have struggled with addiction are often very open to exploring their lives and the issues that caused them to use drugs in the first place.
It has been a very rewarding and challenging part of my training and I still work with people whose lives are impacted by addiction, both directly and indirectly.
Types of emotional problems I work with:
- Abortion
- Abuse
- Affairs and betrayals
- Anxiety
- Addiction(s)
- Anger management
- Behaviour problems
- Bereavement
- Bipolar disorder
- Bullying
- Child related issues
- Depression
- Discrimination
- Dissociation
- Domestic violence
- Emotional abuse
- Family issues
- Feeling sad
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Loneliness
- Low self-esteem
- Low self-confidence
- Miscarriage
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Postnatal depression
- Pregnancy and birth
- Prejudice
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Passive aggressive behaviour
- Physical abuse
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Racism
- Redundancy
- Relationship problems
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Separation and divorce
- Sexuality
- Smoking
- Stress
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sexual abuse
- Spirituality
- Trauma
- Work related stress