SHORT PERSONAL BIO:

I was born and received my primary education in South Africa, emigrating to the UK in 1986 at the age of 15. After graduating from University, I worked as a teacher and later as a lecturer. I retrained to become a psychotherapist in my early 30s.

These experiences and others have been useful in giving me an understanding of some of the issues we face when we experience some kind of radical displacement in our lives, be it geographical, emotional, or circumstantial. I also believe it’s very important to be sensitive and open to questions of diversity and “feelings of otherness” whether stemming from age, ethnicity, gender, race, socio-economic status or sexual orientation.

Life can be really hard and alienating at times, and I think it’s useful to have a therapist on your side who gets that from some of their own lived experience  rather than just mouthing these concepts as a bunch of impressive or nice-sounding words.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

-Private Practice (Coaching/Psychotherapy) and Consultancy – 2008 to present
-ACT 1 & 2 with Steven C. Hayes – 2018
-EMDR: Principles, Procedures & Protocols – 2017
-Relate CPCAB (Levels 4&5)
-Schema Therapy Training and ISST Accreditation – 2013 to 2014
-Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – 2011 (King’s College London)
-Professional Certificate in MBCT/MBSR for groups & individuals – 2010
-NHS General Practice Counsellor/Psychotherapist (5 years) – 2008 to 2013
-MA in Integrative Psychotherapy (mainly psychodynamic) – 2008 (LMU)
-Addictions counselling training & 3 years volunteering experience – 2007
-Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – 2005 (Mary Ward Centre)
-Samaritans Volunteer training & 10 years experience – 1995
-BA in English Literature – 1991 (Cambridge University)

Please feel free to get in touch either by email or telephone (07804197605) if you would like to find out anything else about me or the kind of therapy I offer.