Hello

Why did I become a counsellor?

I haven't always been a counsellor and have had varied jobs. I've worked in retail, banking and insurance and for 13 years as a consultant for a well-known slimming company where I helped people in a weekly group lose weight and transform, in some cases, their lives. However, throughout my life, people have been drawn to sharing their problems with me. I can only put this down to my calm, gentle, and empathetic nature because I was not somebody who actively sought out people's life stories. In fact, I am quite an introvert. It still surprises me that I managed to facilitate a large weekly group meeting to inspire, encourage and motivate men and women to lose weight! Through this role, I realised that for some people, losing weight was not enough to leave them feeling happy and confident. There were often issues in the background that didn't disappear with their weight. I realised that I wanted to help more people, on a one-to-one basis, with their hidden issues and worker at a deeper level with the trust that people placed in me. I wanted to be able to support people professionally and make it my full-time job.

Why a special interest in work-related issues?

Well, the simple answer is that I have known what it is like to dread the thought of Monday mornings and feel physically sick when walking into the office. I have known what it is like to live for the weekends and it is not sustainable to live this way. We spend so much time at work; we all deserve to manage our working life better and to enjoy our weekdays as well as weekends! Also, life is too precious. I feel sad when I hear of people wishing their week away. I want to help people put their working lives into perspective and live more fulfilling lives with a better work-life balance.

Training and Experience:

During my counselling diploma training, I had a placement at Mid-Kent Mind supporting a wide age range of adult clients both face-to-face and online or over the telephone, with a wide range of issues. 

Since qualifying I have worked with private clients both online and in person, both short-term and long-term according to their needs. I have also become an affiliated counsellor with Health Assured and worked with their clients online and over the telephone. Their clients are usually limited to 6-8 sessions and I can work in a solution-focused way concentrating more on the here and now.

I recognise how difficult it can be to make changes in life and appreciate the courage required to start the process, particularly if you have tried and feel like you have failed before. It can leave you feeling vulnerable. I have a wealth of experience in supporting a wide variety of people; helping them develop self-confidence and self-compassion through their journey of change. 

Qualifications:

• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

• CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

• CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

• NCO and ACTO approved Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling Course (through Counselling Tutor)

• Suicide Prevention and Awareness Training

• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent

I believe that therapy can be preventative as well as restorative. We should not need to be in the depths of despair before we choose to seek professional help. If we start to struggle counselling can help to prevent our situation from getting worse.