About Me:

A bit about me: Like lots of people, I've had challenges in my life. Early in my working life, I found myself in a career that made me very unhappy. I became anxious, stressed, depressed and lost confidence in my ability to cope.

Committing to psychotherapy helped me change all of that.

I was so inspired by the results that I changed career direction & trained as a Mental Health Nurse. I especially enjoyed helping people overcome anxiety and depression, so completed further training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR and Mindfulness.

I sincerely believe these therapies are helpful for lots of people and greatly benefit from using the strategies and tools I've learnt in my own life. I am a firm believer in the concept of using these approaches 'from the inside out' to ensure I am the best therapist I can possibly be and understand better what it's like to be in a client's shoes. I will therefore never ask you to work on tasks I would not be prepared to do myself. 

Clients typically describe my therapeutic style as warm, pragmatic, creative, upbeat and collaborative.

I like to use metaphors & analogies in my work with clients as this makes the concepts more understandable & can bring therapy alive. Here's an example:

CBT is based on the concept of five areas (your situation, thoughts, physical sensations, emotions & behaviours) being interconnected and affecting each other. So, your thoughts about a certain situation can often affect how you feel both physically and emotionally, as well as how you act in response.

Once we have a shared understanding of what's going on and maintaining the problem, we can work on interrupting these vicious cycles that play out in your life. This process can be likened to mixing paints: if you want a different colour (eg. to make a change in your life/ feel differently), you need to mix different colour paints together (eg. thoughts & behaviours). This I can help you with. 

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Parts 1,2 & 3, Oct 2019-Jan 2020, EMDR Masterclass accredited by EMDR Europe Association

MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2017, University of Nottingham

Certificate of Competence in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MBCT), 2017, Nottingham Centre for Mindfulness.

Mindful Parenting: Advanced Teacher Training with Professor Susan Bögels, 2016, University of Sheffield

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2016, University of Nottingham

Foundation Training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Nottingham Centre for Mindfulness, 2014

BSc in Mental Health Nursing, 2012, University of Nottingham

I have over 10 years experience in the field of mental health. I started my nursing career in 2008 and have gained valuable experience in a range of NHS mental health settings including community rehab, forensic inpatient and IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). Previous to training as a nurse I worked in the Human Resources (HR) Sector.

It is of huge importance to me that I maintain my nursing registration with the NMC, it assures my clients I adhere to professional codes of conduct and demonstrates my continued ability to practice safely and effectively.

To deepen my knowledge and skills in practicing CBT, I went on to undertake further study and gained a CBT Masters qualification in 2017. I am particularly passionate about mindfulness and have trained as a teacher of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT has been shown to help people who suffer repeated bouts of depression to help prevent the depression from coming back. My experience includes working for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust teaching mindfulness courses to NHS & private sector staff. I maintain my own personal mindfulness practice through daily formal and informal practice and participation in mindfulness meditation retreats. In 2018 I became a UK Network Mindfulness Approved MBCT Teacher. This means that I was able to demonstrate (via an assessment process) that I am suitably trained, committed to continuous professional development, hold the appropriate insurance and receive supervision for my mindfulness teaching.

'Third Wave Therapies': ACT, CFT & Mindfulness: Since qualifying as a CBT Therapist, I have expanded my knowledge & skills in what are termed 'third wave' psychological approaches which can complement and enhance traditional CBT. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT); Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness are all classed as third wave therapies and I often incorporate these approaches with my work. I will discuss this with you if I think you are likely to benefit from such approaches & we can agree your treatment plan together. If you are particularly interested in mindfulness, ACT and CFT, feel free to contact me to discuss further.

I have also completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and find it very effective to integrate this into my work with clients where appropriate. EMDR can accelerate therapy by resolving the impact of past traumas and upsetting memories and allowing you to live more fully in the present.

I am an Accredited EMDR Practitioner with the EMDR Association UK, an Accredited Therapist with the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists) and a Registered Mental Health Nurse. I adhere to the BABCP and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ethical frameworks and guidelines.

I am passionate about social justice and am co-founder and Chair of the BABCP Women's Equality and Gender Diversity SIG. I am also a member of the EMDR Association UK's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

I receive regular supervision which ensures you receive a professional and quality service. I undertake ongoing training to keep up-to-date with new developments and research.

I love to learn and it is deeply important to me that I use the best available evidence to help clients reach their potential.