As a drama psychotherapist, my approach is integrative which means that I use a variety of techniques and ideas in my practice. I am an intuitive and dynamic practitioner, with an instinctive ability to work within the moment and respond to the needs of the client.
I feel that counselling, psychotherapy and dramatherapy techniques must be tailored to the client’s individual needs and personal circumstances.
My practice is inclusive and my aim is to focus on each client as an individual, whilst always striving to understand the wider social and political context of each person’s background and history.
My work is based on psychodynamic theory which teaches us that we all have an unconscious life, which can exert a powerful hold over our emotions and behaviour.
During therapy, it is possible to locate the conflicts, anxieties and desires which lie beneath the surface and to begin to understand the meaning of these aspects of ourselves.
My practice also draws on the person-centred counselling principles of personal empowerment and self-actualisation, where the purpose of the therapy is to support the client in achieving their personal goals and fulfil their potential. This type of therapy diverged from the traditional model of the therapist as ‘expert’ and moved instead toward a non-directive, empathic approach which empowers and motivates the client during the therapeutic process. I believe in the person-centred theory which states that the quality of the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist is central to the effectiveness of the therapy. This is achieved through the therapist’s respect, warmth and non-judgemental attitude towards the client.
Sometimes sessions will focus on traditional talking therapy, but this will often be experienced creatively as I draw on the ideas and techniques of my dramatherapy training. Having access to a wide range of techniques and ideas allows me to approach issues and problems from different directions, and in this way, I can help the you to achieve movement, change and personal growth where previously you may have felt stuck and disempowered.
I am a trained clinical supervisor, qualified to provide supervision to trainee psychotherapists/counsellors and qualified practitioners.
In the interests of both clients and practitioners, most counselling and psychotherapy professional bodies (including the arts psychotherapies) require members to incorporate supervision into their clinical practice.
Supervision is a formal arrangement for therapists and other professionals, to discuss their clinical work with someone who is experienced in both therapy and supervision. Regular supervision is widely considered to be an ethical imperative and is extremely important for both beginners and more experienced clinicians. My goal as your supervisor is to help you to become a more informed and skilled practitioner who feels supported and encouraged as you carry out your important work.
Qualifications:
I am a fully qualified and experienced psychodynamic arts and drama psychotherapist & counsellor, and registered clinical supervisor. I currently work for the NHS in ‘Adult Community Mental Health’ and for the Priory Group in adult mental health. I treat patients with a wide range of complex mental health issues and illnesses.
I have 12 years clinical experience providing dramatherapy and counselling in a variety of settings.
I am registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am also a member of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth).
- Creative Arts Clinical Supervisors’ Training (2018)
- Royal Central School of Speech and Drama MA Dramatherapy (2010)
- The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art - 3 year Graduate Acting Diploma (2000)
- BA Politics and Economics (1995).
I am committed to continuous professional development and have completed training courses in Internal Family Systems Therapy, CBT, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy and special courses in working with psychosis.
My work experience
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Adult Community Mental Health Tier 2 & 3
Private & NHS treatment centres for substance misuse, eating disorders and mood disorders.
NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Tier 3.
NHS Children’s Primary Mental Health (CAMHS) Tier 2.
Children in a school setting at risk of exclusion or emotional & behavioural difficulties.
Prison inmates with alcohol and substance misuse issues.
Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease & Alzheimer’s.
Hospital inpatient units.