I have a Higher National Diploma and Higher National Certificate in Counselling, a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory and also a Basic Counselling Skills qualification. I also have MSc and BSc honours degrees in another subject area. I'm currently training to become an accredited Supervisor.

Some of the units I completed as part of my counselling training include: Counselling for Stress, Grief and Loss Counselling, Relationship Counselling and Cross-cultural Counselling

I am committed to continuing my personal and professional development and have attended many additional training days, courses & workshops; inlcuding Abuse & Child Protection, Alcohol Awareness, Asylum Seekers & Refugee Awareness Training, Family Diversity, Confidence & Assertiveness Training, Creative Writing, Domestic Violence Awareness; and several 'Place2Be' training courses for working with children, including 'Children's Emotional Wellbeing' and 'Groupwork with Children'.

I have experience of working as a counsellor in a primary school, through the Place2Be; and  as a volunteer counsellor at a drug and alcohol addictions service, as well as within a GP practice and a counselling service for LGBT clients.  I am now concentrating on running my own counselling practice.

My previous work experience includes providing emotional support to new mothers - including teenage mums - through monthly home visits, as part of the Community Mothers Programme; and I used to be a call-taker on Parentline Plus; a national telephone helpline for parents. I received thorough training for both of these roles. I have also worked in a role that involved answering letters to an 'agony aunt' for a national women's magazine.

I've also been a member of a writing group and two Personal Development groups; one PD group ran for a 6 month period; the other was longer term. Through these groups I developed a deeper understanding of myself and the way I interact with other people, particulalry in a group setting. As a result I'd love to offer groupwork sessions so that others can benefit too. Please let me know if you're interested.