Clinical Experience & Career

 

 

I began my career in the NHS, where I trained and worked as a Learning Disability and Mental Health Nurse, providing frontline care in emotionally demanding and highly specialised clinical environments.

 

Over nearly 20 years, my work has extended across the NHS, higher education, and the voluntary sector, supporting individuals, clinical teams, and frontline professionals. My clinical roles have included work within forensic mental health services, learning disability care, adult mental health, and palliative and end-of-life support.

 

A key part of my therapeutic work has been supporting neurodivergent clients, particularly individuals on the autistic spectrum, and those living with ADHD.

 

I have:

• Worked closely with autistic clients in clinical and counselling settings

• Contributed to academic research focused on autism

• Completed specialist training in adapting counselling approaches for autistic communication, sensory profiles, and emotional processing

• Developed strong clinical and academic knowledge of autism, ADHD, mental health, executive functioning differences, and sensory regulation

 

 

I also bring lived insight into ADHD, which helps me better understand internal overwhelm, emotional resonance, and regulation challenges — whilst maintaining clear professional boundaries and a structured therapeutic frame.

 

My clinical and counselling experience includes supporting people with a wide range of difficulties, including:

 

• Anxiety and depression

• Anger and emotional dysregulation

• Trauma and abuse

• Domestic violence and coercive control

• OCD and intrusive thoughts

• Eating difficulties and body image distress

• Grief, loss, and self-harm

• Workplace stress and institutional pressure

• Critical incident and crisis support

 

 

I work from the understanding that emotional distress is rarely isolated, it exists within life context, shaped by relationships, environments, daily pressures, and the nervous system. Because of this, I focus on supporting the whole person, offering therapy that is personalised, flexible, and uniquely shaped around individual need.

 

 

 

 

Therapeutic Training & Professional Approach

 

 

I have completed extensive postgraduate training in integrative counselling, supported by regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development to maintain current, ethical, and evidence-informed practice.

 

My therapeutic approach is:

 

• Evidence-based

• Trauma-informed

• Integrative and relational

• Somatically aware

 

 

Therapy is a collaborative process. I adapt the counselling space and therapeutic tools to meet different cognitive, sensory, communication, and emotional processing styles, ensuring that support feels safe, grounded, and meaningful.

 

 

 

 

How I Work

 

 

My work is steady, warm, thoughtful, and boundaried. I aim to create a space where clients feel genuinely met and understood without judgement.

 

I believe therapy works best when it:

 

• Recognises that healing is not linear

• Understands that mind and body hold experience differently

• Adapts to the individual, rather than expecting the individual to adapt to therapy

• Prioritises safety, regulation, and authentic human connection

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership & Institutional Insight

 

 

My work within leadership and clinical teams informs my understanding of workplace pressure, organisational strain, burnout, and the emotional weight carried by professionals working in demanding systems. This supports a discerning, grounded perspective when working with clients navigating institutional or employment-related stress.

 

 

 

 

Qualifications & Core Training

 

 

My core professional training and qualifications include:

 

• BA (Learning Disability & Mental Health Nursing)

• BSc (Psychology)

• Postgraduate training in Integrative Counselling

• Specialist training in counselling adaptations for autism and ADHD

• Advanced trauma-informed and somatic therapeutic training

• Ongoing CPD and regular clinical supervision

 

  I hold DBS clearance, fully insured and registered.

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