My Approach

Reaching out for help can be daunting but therapy is a safe, supportive space in which you can explore your difficulties at your own pace. It is really important to me that you feel at ease, heard and understood, and that together, we can work to slow things down, make sense of how your body and mind are reacting to the challenges you are facing, and find gentle, practical ways to help you restore balance.

As a clinical psychologist, I have been trained to draw on a broad range of psychological research, theories and models, and my aim is to draw on these to meet your unique, personal needs.

I have specialised in cognitive behaviour therapy as this is a broad family of approaches with proven effectiveness. It enables us to make sense of difficult thoughts and feelings, and identify what helps you. It offers the opportunity for brief, focused interventions that support immediate steps towards change and enhanced wellbeing. It also enables deeper exploration of personal patterns and beliefs if needed, leading to more fundamental changes in perspectives and relationships with oneself and others.

In addition, I have training in mindfulness-based approaches, as recent developments in neuroscience, along with my personal experience, have shown how they promote long-term change and well being. I therefore also introduce you to Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other mindfulness interventions, if that seems helpful. You might also wish to explore some body-focused interventions to help calm the nervous system, or consider EMDR.

At the heart of my approach is a commitment to providing compassionate, personalised interventions, which help you regain a sense of wellbeing, personal power and confidence.

What to expect in our first session

I aim to make our first meeting as comfortable as possible and to provide a calm, confidential space to explore what has brought you to therapy, how it is affecting your life, and what you hope to achieve. You are in complete control of the pace - we will only cover what you feel ready to share. Appointments are 50 minutes and take place in a welcoming holistic centre in Hexham or online.