I’m a very experienced person-centred counsellor, and worked in Kendal from 2005-2022, both for charitable organisations and in private practice. I facilitate a range of groups, and have worked with clients on a wide range of issues including
- relationship and work challenges
- crisis points and major life changes
- identity, self understanding and personal growth
- stress and anxiety
- depression, bipolarity and other mental health issues
- addictive behaviours
- general counselling, persistent unhappiness, dissatisfaction with life
I have a special interest in work related to illness, ageing, loss and bereavement.
My qualifications include: Conflict Resolution Training; Primary and Intermediate Certificates in Person-Centred Expressive Arts Therapy; Certificate in Counselling for Adolescents; Diploma (Higher Education) in Counselling, PhD in Literature, BA (Hons) Cantab.
A registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I work in accordance with their Ethical Framework for Good Practice (more information at www.bacp.co.uk). I have monthly supervision and am involved in a range of professional development activities, attending courses and workshops and undertaking one-to-one work. In addition, I facilitate courses, workshops and CPD in which poetry is used as a way into personal exploration, reflection and growth. Some of these events concern ageing, loss and bereavement; all reflect my sense of the value of living the ‘examined life’. You can find more about upcoming events elsewhere on this site: [workshops] [the 42 group]
I lived in the South Lakes from 1997-2022 and have recently moved over the county line to Wray, a village between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale. A former primary school teacher, I taught English at Liverpool University and the University of Cumbria before retraining as a counsellor. I love my work as a therapist and get a great deal of satisfaction from it. The other half of my working life is as a writer: I write non-fiction, and am a published poet. I enjoy craft bookbinding in my spare time and love solo and ensemble classical singing with a range of choirs and small groups in Cumbria and elsewhere. I’m out on the fells or fields every day, and enjoy long-distance walking, too. I’m a keen wild swimmer (but not when it’s cold enough to need a wetsuit!).