About me
It’s not about me, it’s about you!
No one else has lived your life or your experiences. No one can tell you how you should think or feel, nor can anyone else tell you what sort of therapy you need. As your therapist, we’ll work that out together.
I am an Integrative Counsellor – I draw from many different approaches, and together we find the way of working that is right for you.
Qualifications
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II)
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling
Certificate in Applied Therapeutic Skills
Further training and study in Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Trauma Informed Practices
What is Integrative Counselling?
Together, we’ll use a blend of exploration, understanding, and modern therapeutic theory and models to bring about the meaningful change that you want to see.
We’ll work with what you’re experiencing right now, whether that’s anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, family issues, or anything else – what’s going on for you in this moment? As your therapist we can explore what happened to you in the past, and what changes you want to see in your life for the future.
Where am I?
Bournemouth town centre location
You’ll find me in the Oxford Point building in Lansdowne, Bournemouth.
There’s free on-site car parking, and it’s a very short walk away from Bournemouth train station so easy access from Poole and Christchurch.
Oxford Point
19 Oxford Rd
Bournemouth
BH8 8GS
What can I help with?
Anxiety therapy
There’s nothing wrong with being anxious sometimes, but it shouldn’t overwhelm us or stop us living how we want to live. Therapy for anxiety starts with asking, “What is this anxiety really trying to tell me?”
Depression therapy
Modern approaches to psychology often understand depression as a protection strategy your brain turns to when it feels it has no safe options, or no goals to pursue.
Trauma counselling
Trauma takes many forms, some more obvious than others. Harmful experiences, often in childhood, can leave us reacting in the present as if past dangers are still happening.
Relationship issues
Individual relationship counselling is about examining your own relationship patterns, often learned in childhood – what are you bringing to the relationship, and what do you need?
Addiction and substance abuse
Addiction and substance abuse is rarely the real problem – instead it’s usually a solution to a deeper problem, something like “How do I stop feeling this way?”, and the substance becomes the answer to that problem.
Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a modern approach to therapy, based on old, well established foundations. It states that we are all made of different Parts – some which want to say “yes”, and others which want to say “no” and that we’re constantly pulled in different directions by our different parts, who are all trying to get different needs met.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is about getting all our Parts to talk to each other, to communicate their needs and their fears, and finding the inner leader who can help them to integrate and work together. It can be especially helpful for the issues listed above.
And for everything else
Integrative Therapy works on the idea that you are unique, your experiences are unique, and so your therapy should be unique too. There is no single approach to therapy that works for every person, or every issue. Every client brings something different, and we work collaboratively to find a way of working that meets your needs. We start by asking “What’s going on for you at the moment?” and then, “How do you want things to change?” There is not always a road map or a manual for this. Whatever you need to bring, whatever you need to explore, express, or understand, we will work together to find a way that works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is each session?
Sessions are 50 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged if required, please ask for details.
How much does it cost?
Standard sessions are £75
I offer a reduced rate of £65 if affordability is an issue – please just let me know.
Payment by cash or bank transfer.
How often?
Counselling works best with consistency, and regularity. Sessions are usually weekly, at the same time each week. As the work continues, it may be appropriate to drop the frequency, but best to start weekly.
What if I have irregular work patterns?
No problem – as long as my diary allows, we can arrange the next session to work around your schedule.
Where do we meet?
I recommend face to face sessions in my office in Lansdowne, Bournemouth. But online sessions are always available, and some people prefer therapy that way. The choice is always yours.
Do you see couples?
Sorry, but currently I only work with individuals.
Do you work with children?
I work with adults and teenagers over 11 years old.
How many sessions will I need?
An impossible question to answer, as everyone is different, with different experiences and different needs. My experience is that you will know after three or four sessions if it’s going to be helpful or not, and after that we work together for as long as you continue to find it helpful, but we are always working toward a finish – therapy with no end helps no one. I want you to find the change you’re looking for, and then move on.
How do I know if it’s right for me?.
Therapy is about getting to know yourself better – what’s going on in your inner world, how is it getting in your way, and what you could do differently. It’s about exploring your self, your life, your relationships, your problems, with the goal being to make your experience of life better. It’s not just endlessly talking about feelings. It’s not homework tasks (unless you want that). It’s definitely not about me telling you what you’re doing wrong (how could I possibly know that?).
It’s about us approaching your life experiences with curiosity, with compassion, and working out together what needs to change, and how to do that.
Therapy is for everybody.
First step
Book a free consultation
I offer a free, no obligation half hour video chat for you to ask me anything, tell me a bit about your situation, and get an idea of what it would feel like to start sessions.
Not every therapist is right for every client, you’ve got to find one you’re comfortable working with.
Click below to book your free consultation, or to ask me any questions.