Professional Perspective
I am a BACP registered counsellor and psychotherapist working with adults. My primary orientation is psychodynamic. Although I offer support for a wide range of challenges, I specialise in working with anxiety, depression and self-esteem problems. I am deeply interested in why people become depressed or anxious, and how each person can find a way through these incredibly difficult states. I also provide therapy for family and relationship difficulties, disordered eating and experiences of abuse and neglect.
Training
My core training was a three year psychodynamic counseling PGDip, including two placements within psychodynamic and trauma-responsive services. I have undertaken further training for working with neurodivergent clients, as well as other courses including self-harm awareness and suicide prevention. I have an extensive track record of working with disabled and chronically ill people. I bring a trauma-informed lens to my practice, using the mind-body connection to foster emotional healing.
Therapeutic approach
My experience and training suggest that people often suffer because of unconscious messages they have absorbed before they learnt to say “no”. Emotional learning from our early relationships continues to affect us in adult life, at times limiting our capacity for love and fulfilment and creating powerful internal conflicts.
Although the roots of our unhappiness may lie in the past, change is possible, even if it is hard and takes time. Through a gentle and compassionate process, I will be there with you as you begin to untangle the mass of experiences that have made you who you are. I will support your own agency and intuition as you get to the root of what is causing you difficulties and how to work through them.
Inclusive therapy
Although I was not born in Scotland, it has been my home for almost 20 years. This experience has reinforced my commitment to cultural inclusivity, as well as my ability to work across cultures. The LGBT+ community is close to my heart, and I offer affirmative support to LGBT+ clients, including navigating gender transition or issues relating to sexuality. I also have 7 years of experience working with neurodivergent clients. My practice is neurodiversity-affirming and tailored to each person’s way of processing and relating.
Feedback
You have helped me through a very dark time. Thank you for listening to me all these weeks.
Client feedback, anonymous
You not only validated and listened to me, but also challenged me to embrace those feelings I had previously found hard to accept.
Client feedback, anonymous
Thank you for being so human!
Client feedback, anonymous
New Leaf Counselling 