About
About Me
I have always been interested in identity, otherness and how we find our place in the world, in fact these are themes that have come up time and again throughout my studies and working life as a queer, neurodivergent woman. Before training as a counsellor, I worked as a University Disability Advisor where I helped students to get the right support so they could achieve their potential in their studies. It was this work that led me to train as a counsellor, as I was seeing more and more students who were struggling with poor mental health and wellbeing, and I wanted to make sure I was supporting them in the right way.
I hadn’t meant to be a counsellor, but at each stage of my training I made the decision to continue because I was experiencing the transformative potential of counselling, through my own personal development work and therapy. I often tell people who I meet now, that they wouldn’t recognise who I was before I trained. While self-acceptance is a journey that never really ends, I know that my training and experiences of therapy are what have helped me to reach a place of self-acceptance in my own identity as a queer, autistic, cis woman.
It’s because therapy has, and continues to have, such a positive impact on my life that I am passionate about supporting my clients on their own journey. I only work in ways that I have experienced myself and believe to be useful, which doesn’t mean they will all work for everyone, but because I’ve trained in several different ways of working, if one doesn’t feel right, we can always try something else. Because I believe very strongly that my clients are the experts on their experiences, all my sessions are client led, giving them the control over what we focus on and how we work. Of course, I will sometimes make suggestions or offer ways of working that I feel might be helpful, but this is only ever an invitation and it’s always ok to say no.
When I’m not working, you’re likely to find me involved in one of the following places: my favourite yoga studio, my local microbrewery sampling the newest dark beer, playing D&D or out in nature. Some days I manage to find perfect balance by getting all four activities in!
If you’re interested in my qualifications and memberships, you’ll find all the details of them below. If you’d like to work with me or find out more, then please do get in touch and we can arrange a time to have a chat about what you’re looking for and what I offer. You might also want to take a look at my blog.
About Curiosity Spot
Curiosity Spot was imagined following a conference I attended on compassionate approaches to mental health. I was struck by how constrained I could be by systems that were concerned with outcomes and measures more than the individuals we worked with. I wanted to create a safe space for people to explore their thoughts and emotions in the way that is right for them and that honours their unique experiences.
Curiosity Spot is a safe space where clients can cultivate an attitude of curiosity without judgement or expectation of what the answers should be, a space where ideas and understanding emerge from the experience.
Memberships
NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) )
Qualifications
OCST4 Certificate in Online Counselling (Voice and webcam)
Certificate in Supervision
MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Certificate in Performance Coaching and Mentoring
PG Cert. Community Practice
PG Dip. Film Studies
BA (Hons) Cultural Studies
CPD
Child Protection Level 1 & 2
The Inside of Autism - The Autistic Advocate
Advanced Creative Solution Focused Therapy
Understanding Loss and Grief
Meditation Teacher Practitioner Diploma
Compassion Focused Therapy for Psychosis
Grounding Your Practice in Existential Concepts
Reiki Level 2
Conference Presentations
Child Protection Level 1 & 2
BACP Supervisor Event 2023
A Neurodivergent Perspective on Supervision
Online Events Living and Working With Neurodivergence 2023
Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Wellbeing
