I have a very broad range of experience, both from my professional and my personal life, and enjoy a wide variety in my work. If I had to define a speciality, I would say relationships as I think they are so fundamental to so many parts of our lives. This could include difficulties with partners, family, friends and, of course, ourselves, covering issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, bereavement, self-esteem, body issues and many more. I work with individuals, couples and families.

We all have a unique experience of living and I feel it is very important to recognise this, working with you not simply the issue that might have brought you to counselling but you as a complete person. I’m not here to give you advice, to tell you how to live your life, what to do next, but to work alongside you to help you move to a more peaceful and happier place. I work hard to provide a confidential, relaxing and supportive environment to enable you to feel free to examine your feelings and worries without the sense that you are being judged, or you might be criticised or rejected.

The amount of time spent working together with vary according to the needs of each individual person: some people benefit from long-term counselling (I have clients I have been seeing for several years) whilst others find a single or few sessions is sufficient for them. I like to review our work every 6 – 8 weeks and have ongoing conversations with my clients about whether they feel they are benefitting from the work we are doing together and are happy to continue. Sometimes people might take a break and return after several weeks, months or even years.

I feel that one of the mistakes people make is finishing counselling too soon: they feel better so they feel they don’t need to come any more. Often they revert to old behaviours and find themselves seeking more therapy. I would suggest that people spread out their appointments, coming every three weeks or monthly for example, to make sure they are continuing to feel the benefits and reinforcing what they have learned.

I feel it is up to clients to decide how often they want to come to counselling. I find it useful to have a few sessions weekly to start so that we can get to know each other and

start building a relationship but understand this isn’t always possible for a variety of reasons. I believe the client should be able to choose how often they feel it would be beneficial for them to attend: for some, other commitments mean they do not time to process the contents of a session within a week, whilst others might feel more comfortable working at a faster or slower pace. This is something we can discuss, agree upon and, of course, review over time.

When a couple makes an appointment to see me I send them out my Couples Pack which contains a Relationship History form for each of them to complete to identify the issues that are bringing them to counselling. This enables them to focus on what made them decide to take the step of seeking therapy and also provides me with useful background information so saves time in the sessions. After an initial joint appointment where we identify the problems that might exist between them then I like to see each partner separately to go through their Relationship History Form and understand their unique perspectives and their backgrounds.

We then meet together again to discuss the issues and see if we can find some way of moving forward and hopefully resolving these. I might introduce some theories that help describe what is going on in the relationship if I think it would be helpful. Whenever appropriate I try to give couples homework to work on between sessions as I think this can help between sessions especially when they are living together.

On average I would estimate that I see couples between 6 to 12 times and often suggest follow-up meetings after that, say every month or few months, to make sure progress is maintained. We all know how easy it is to fall back into old patterns without some sort of accountability.

Over the years I have worked with couples I feel that more of them have chosen to stay together rather than separate after having counselling but, of course, I don’t know what happens after they stop coming. I have worked with couples who have already decided to end their relationship but want some support in negotiating how to do this. I have

also seen couples who have already separated but want to make sense of what happened between them to gain some clarity which might help in future relationships.

Family therapy varies according to what family members are coming to therapy. The most common family relationship I deal with is adult daughters and their mothers. If it is two family members then I can use the same approach I use with couples, asking each of them to identify the issues and work towards resolution. With multiple family members the approach needs to be more fluid and dynamic, according to which members are there, their ages etc. Family therapy gives all family members a chance to feel heard and often my role is to control the dynamic, to allow everyone to have a voice.

With around 25% of adult children now estranged from one or both of their parents I feel this family therapy is a vital and necessary resource to have.

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling BSc (Hons) Psychology (First),
Open University Certificate in Couples Counselling
Certificate in Working with Dissociative Disorders
Certificate in Bereavement Support
Certificate in Obsessing After Intimacy
Certificate in the Cure for Trauma is Intimacy
Certificate in High Achieving Couples
Certificate in Emotionally Focussed Therapy for Individuals
Certificate in Relationships where one partner has ADHD

I work in the centre of Exeter on Tuesday and Thursday (from late morning to early evening) and from my home in Colyton on Monday and Wednesday. I also offer sessions online Monday to Thursday.

I offer an initial free 15 minute session in person, online or by telephone.
A session costs £70 for individuals, £80 for couples and families.
Sessions last 50 minutes.

Payments to be made by cash or direct bank transfer 48 hours before the appointment.
Concessions for counselling students