Counselling Therapy and EMDR for South Croydon. Couples and Individuals. Counsellor in Croydon, Selsdon.

I embarked on a career in counselling because it helped me through some difficult times, and I firmly believe it can help others too. Counselling can be hard work and emotionally challenging, but also rewarding and even enjoyable. It certainly does not have to be all serious.

I try to bring all aspects of my personality into my work with clients in the hope that my clients feel comfortable and safe enough to share their stories, feelings and experiences with me. By becoming more self-aware, clients might in this way find a more meaningful way forward.

I work in an integrative way as a counsellor which means I draw upon different theoretical approaches when I work with clients, rather than working with just one approach. I will tailor what I offer to you, the client, depending on your needs and requirements.

My Approach

My work is significantly influenced by the person-centred (humanistic) approach to counselling where the belief is that all human beings have the ability to fulfil their full potential provided the right conditions are present. However, I also draw significant inspiration from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Solution-Focused and the Psychodynamic approaches to counselling, and the Systemic Approach for couples counselling. I am also a qualified and accredited EMDR Therapist - EMDR therapy is specifically aimed at dealing with trauma and distressing memories. Read more about Trauma Therapy here. I generally offer therapy on a weekly or bi-monthly basis to ensure momentum is gained in the work and that issues can be worked through consistently and safely.

Professional Bodies

Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I am listed on the BACP Register. This register is also accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited Professional of National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and I am listed on the NCPS directory. This register is also accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Member of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO).
EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and member of EMDR Association UK.

Current practice

Private Practice in Croydon and Online

Affiliated with Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) including Health Assured, PAM, CIC and Care first.
Approved by insurance companies: Nuffield Health, AXA Health, BUPA, WPA, Aviva and Vitality Health.
Clinical Supervisor to trainee and qualified counsellors.

Joint Psychological Lead Counsellor at a London Hospice

Offering therapy to patients and those important to them, mostly on a short-term basis, as part of the psychosocial team. Therapy is offered to clients in the hospice, virtually and in the community.
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary palliative care team that includes doctors, nurses, admin/IT staff and volunteers.
Clinical supervision for counselling students on placement and management of placement arrangements.

Past Experience

Clinical Supervisor at a Shirley High School in Croydon (2018-2023). I offered group clinical supervision to the counselling staff and counselling student volunteers.
Lead School Counsellor at a Shirley High School in Croydon (2016-2022). Service level agreement with the school to provide the counselling provision to all students. I offered placement opportunities to counsellors in training to complete clinical hours for their course requirements and clinical supervision to the counselling student volunteers.
Affiliated with Workplace Options (2017-2019)
Affiliated with Victim Support Homicide Team in London where I offered counselling to people who had been affected by murder or manslaughter (2016-2019)
Online Counsellor with TalkLife Connect (2016)
Locum Lead School Counsellor in a secondary school in the Royal Borough of Greenwich (2016)
School Counsellor in a secondary school in Bromley (2015-2016)
Counsellor at Bromley Community Counselling Service (2015-2016)
Counsellor at Evolve Housing + Support - formerly South London YMCA (2014-2016)
Counsellor in a primary school in Croydon working for Place2Be (2013-2014)
Counsellor for Carers Support Merton in Mitcham (2013-2015)

Core Training

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Level 4 (CPCAB - 2013-2015)
Certificate in Counselling Studies Level 3 (CPCAB - 2013)
Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 2 (CPCAB - 2012)
Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills (CPCAB - 2012)

Trauma Training

Attachment Focused/Informed EMDR (Mark Brayne - EMDR Focus - 2020)
Accredited EMDR Training Level 1, 2 & 3 (EMDR Academy - Matt Wesson - 2018-2019)
Introductory Certificate in Trauma Therapy (Wealden Institute - Joanna Beazley Richards - 2018-2019)

Children and Young People

Level 5 Course in Counselling Children and Young People (CB Counsellor Training - 2019)
Certificate in Approaches to Counselling Children and Young People Level 4 (Aim Awards - 2018)

Other Training

Couples Counselling Skills Course (Counselling Academy - 2018)
Diploma in Clinical Supervision (Pamela Nell Associates - 2018)
Certificate in Online Counselling Skills (OCST Online Counselling Services & Training - 2016)
Couples Counselling Certificate (Pamela Nell Associates - 2016)

Additional events and workshops I have attended recently

Trauma Summit 2024 (Conference)
Autism (Workshop)
Systemic Therapy in a Hospice Setting (Workshop)
An introduction to Internal Family Systems (Workshop)
An introduction to Family Constellations (Workshop)
The Psychotherapist as an Effective External Regulator (Workshop)
Healing Complex Trauma (Workshop)
Dream Technique (Workshop)
Flash Technique to reduce distress (EMDR Workshop)
Sexuality and Gender (Workshop)
Eating Disorders (Workshop)
Borderline Personality Disorder (Workshop)