About me

I live near the centre of Romsey, Hampshire, and have taught confidence and self-esteem classes locally since 2007.   I started my private practice as a counsellor in June 2010.

My background includes working as a reporter/journalist, raising a family in the New Forest, devising and running museum tours for foreign teenagers, co-ordinating community development projects in Southampton and the New Forest, and managing publicity for multi-agency European IT projects for the University of Southampton.  In 2011 I started to teach entry-level counselling courses at both Eastleigh College and Totton College.

My counselling training was at Eastleigh College, where the core approach is Humanistic, in particular Gestalt.  My trainee placement was with the NHS, in surgeries in Southampton.  I continued in this role after qualifying for my Counselling Diploma, completing more than 200 hours with clients over a two year period.

I have had some training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and find this approach helpful for some clients.

From 2005-2010 I was a volunteer with Victim Support, offering practical and emotional support to victims of crime.   During this time I received additional training to support victims of domestic abuse. This experience, helping people in crisis, supported my counselling training, and vice versa.

To teach confidence and self-esteem I have read numerous self-help books, as well as studying the psychology behind it.   I bring many of these books to the classroom for students to browse. My pupils have remarked on my enthusiasm, creativity and optimism.

My Myers-Briggs type is INFJ, sometimes referred to as the 'counsellor'.

In my spare time I love to be outdoors, appreciating the colours, sounds and textures of nature.  I enjoy digital photography and recording these experiences.

Frosty flower, December 2011