I was born and received my primary education in South Africa, emigrating to the UK in 1986 at the age of 15. After University, I worked in Italy for a number of years whilst also attempting to write a number of (unpublished) novels 🙂

I then settled down in London to pursue a career as a teacher, before retraining to become a psychotherapist in my early 30s. I’m turning 48 this year.

These experiences and others have been useful in giving me an understanding of some of the issues we face when we experience some kind of radical displacement in our lives, be it geographical, emotional, or circumstantial. I also believe it’s very important to be sensitive and open to questions of diversity and “feelings of otherness” whether stemming from age, ethnicity, gender, race, socio-economic status or sexual orientation.

Life can be really hard and alienating at times, and I think it’s useful to have a therapist on your side who gets that from some of their own lived experience  rather than just mouthing these concepts as a bunch of impressive or nice-sounding words.

I am also very interested in how we use creative as well as other contemplative practices to find flow, meaning and solace in our lives. Drawing (especially silly cartoons), music-making, podcasting, meditation, walking, writing, learning poems by heart, hiking and gardening, as well as throwing balls for my dog Max are all important “practices” for me contributing a great deal to my well-being and mental health. What’s your “thread”?

Various professional bodies monitor and appraise my work. I am an Accredited Member of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, as well as The International Society of Schema Therapy. I am also a member of The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS AND FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE:

-Private Practice (Coaching/Psychotherapy) and Consultancy – 2008 to present
–Schema Therapy Training and ISST Accreditation – 2013 to 2014
-Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – 2011 (King’s College London)
-Professional Certificate in MBCT/MBSR for groups & individuals – 2010
-NHS General Practice Counsellor/Psychotherapist (5 years) – 2008 to 2013
-MA in Integrative Psychotherapy (mainly psychodynamic) – 2008 (LMU)
-Addictions counselling training & 3 years volunteering experience – 2007
-Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – 2005 (Mary Ward Centre)
-Samaritans Volunteer training & 10 years experience – 1995
-BA in English Literature – 1991 (Cambridge University)

FURTHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

-ACT Immersion Training (with Steven C.Hayes) – 2019
-ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders – 2018
-EMDR: Principles, Procedures & Protocols – 2017
-IFS Foundational Training – 2016
-Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (PGCert) – 2015
-Bibliotherapy Training (The Reader Organisation) & 2 years volunteering – 2012

PUBLICATIONS:

-“Music and trauma” (2015): The relationship between music, personality, and coping style.

-“Larkin’s Lonely (K)nots” (2011): An exploration of the interactions between the affective, cognitive, and behavioural characteristics of loneliness, as gleaned -from an analysis of Philip Larkin’s life and writings.

-“The First Assignment” (2003): The Psychological Costs of Academic Gates & Gatekeepers.”

 

Please feel free to get in touch either by email or telephone (07804197605) if you would like to find out anything else about me or the kind of therapy I offer.