I was born and received my primary education in South Africa, emigrating with my family to the UK as a teenager.
After graduating from University, I worked as a teacher and later as a lecturer in the field of English as a Second Language (ESL). I retrained to become a psychotherapist in my early 30s.
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. My main creative practice at the moment is podcasting (literature/therapy-related stuff), but I have also been involved in other writing, music, dance, and visual arts projects in the past which I have found very fulfilling.
My therapy work is monitored and audited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am also a member of The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
QUALIFICATIONS AND FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE:
-Private Practice (Coaching/Psychotherapy) and Consultancy – 2008 to present
-Certified Enneagram Typing Practitioner Training – 2022
-ACT 1 & 2 with Steven C. Hayes – 2018/2019
-EMDR: Principles, Procedures & Protocols – 2017
-Relate CPCAB (Levels 4&5) – 2015/2016
-IFS Level 1 training – 2015
–Schema Therapy Training and ISST Accreditation – 2013 to 2014
-Professional Certificate in MBCT/MBSR for groups & individuals – 2010
-NHS General Practice Counsellor/Psychotherapist (3 years) – 2008 to 2011
-MA in Integrative Psychotherapy (mainly psychodynamic/Jungian focus) – 2008 (LMU)
-Addictions counselling training & 2 years volunteering experience – 2007
-Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – 2005
-Samaritans Volunteer training & 5 years experience – 1995
-BA in English Literature – 1995 (Cambridge University)
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.
