“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know” 

Carl Rogers

How I work

 

As a person-centred counsellor, my approach is founded upon my belief that each and every person already holds within them an innate capacity for change and personal growth. It is your own uniqueness, understandings and insights which will guide our work, supporting honest exploration towards a deeper understanding of yourself and your problems, whatever they may be. 

Working at a pace and depth which is comfortable for you, I can help you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour, to move forwards in your life with new insights, greater clarity and wellbeing.

I work in a way which is tailored to meeting the needs and circumstances of each person. I recognise the importance of valuing the unique sets of experiences, perspectives and values my clients bring, working together towards creating meaningful, lasting change. I support my clients to more deeply understand their own stories, in a way which is informative, empowering and freeing.

I am gently and safely challenging, and we will work together towards increased self-awareness, more connected relationships, and skills and strategies for taking care of your emotional and mental health into the future.

 

Who I work with and my specialisms

Clients typically come to me for help with personal, emotional and mental health challenges ranging from anxiety and anxiety disorders, relationship difficulties, family issues, grief and loss, difficulties with anger or guilt, low self-esteem, self-doubt, intrusive or distressing thoughts, and depression. 

 I am trained in counselling those affected by trauma. Whether you experienced a traumatic event or are living with the impact of complex or childhood trauma, counselling can help you to understand the emotional, mental and physical responses you may experience, the ways in which your life and relationships may have been affected, and support you in moving forwards in your life with self-compassion and an increased sense of safety and empowerment.


I specialise in helping people who are living with the impact of unresolved childhood experiences, the effects of which can be felt in various ways. These may include feelings of hopelessness, worry, anxious thoughts or a constant sense of unease; you may be experiencing difficulties with anger, social anxiety, feelings of guilt or shame, intrusive or distressing thoughts, or a wide range of relationship, family, work or stress related problems. 

Anxiety: Anxiety, and the emotional, psychological and physical symptoms which accompany it, can be overwhelming and often distressing. Anxiety can affect all areas of our lives, and constant worry can take its toll. Through a compassionate lens, I will help you explore and process your thoughts and feelings, better understand your anxiety, and support you towards real, meaningful change.

Low self-esteem and self-doubt: Unresolved childhood experiences and childhood trauma can leave us vulnerable to absorbing our negative experiences and influences into the way we think and feel about ourselves and our world. I will work with you to gently challenge unhelpful, inaccurate self-beliefs, and replace them with more realistic perspectives, self-compassion, and help you build a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence.

Depression: Living with depression can make even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable. If you are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, low energy, numbness, isolation and sadness, I will be with you, and we will work towards rediscovering a sense of connection and purpose.

Intrusive or Distressing Thoughts: Intrusive thoughts can leave us feeling trapped in a cycle of worry, stress and discomfort. Together, we'll explore how these thoughts develop, their impact on your emotional state, and how to develop healthier, empowering ways of relating to them. I can help you create space between yourself and these thoughts, allowing you to break free from their grip.

Parentification Trauma

Parentification refers to a role reversal where a child is forced to take on responsibilities that are typically reserved for adults or caregivers. This can happen when a child is asked to provide emotional or physical care for a parent or sibling, often at the expense of their own emotional development. There are three main types of parentification which include:

Emotional Parentification: This occurs when a child is expected to take on an adult emotional role, such as providing comfort or support to a parent who is emotionally unstable, depressed, or overwhelmed. The child may suppress their own feelings to "parent" their parent, leading to emotional neglect of their own needs.

Physical or Instrumental Parentification: This involves a child being expected to take on practical adult responsibilities, like taking care of siblings, managing the household, or assuming duties far beyond what is developmentally appropriate. The child might take on tasks that are too complex or demanding for their age, which leads to feelings of overburdened responsibility, and a lack of sufficient opportunity for developmentally appropriate childhood activities.

Cognitive Parentification: In this form, the child is expected to manage complex adult situations or decision-making, such as financial matters, or is asked to act as a mediator in family conflicts.

The effects of parentification trauma can be lasting and include:

  • Difficulty with boundaries: Those who were parentified often struggle to set boundaries, either by overextending themselves for others or feeling guilty about asking for help.
  • Guilt and Shame: Parentified children often grow up with a deep sense of guilt or shame, feeling that they are not "good enough", that their own feelings or instincts are not to be trusted, or have to carry more than their fair share of emotional or practical burdens.
  • Inability to Trust Others: Because they had to take care of their caregivers instead of being cared for, they may have difficulty trusting others to meet their emotional needs.
  • Problems with Self-Esteem: Parentified children may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, feeling that they were never allowed to “be”, and their sense of self-worth may be tied to their ability to meet the needs of others.
  • Anxiety and Depression: The emotional toll of parentification can lead to chronic anxiety, anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout, as the individual carries unresolved stress and emotional burdens into adulthood.
  • Challenges in Relationships: Because of the blurred role boundaries learned in childhood, parentified individuals may have difficulty forming equal, balanced relationships as adults, sometimes attracting partners who need to be "cared for" or rescuing others to avoid feeling helpless themselves.

 

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.