Integrative Counsellor and Therapist in Exeter & Newton Abbot

Profile

I’m currently based in Exeter and Newton Abbot as a Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist. I work with a range of presenting issues. In my counselling practice I integrate traditional counselling approaches with some of the approaches most recently developed out of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): namely Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Picture by Nat Hook Photography

My Background as a Counsellor and Therapist

I have a very strong background in working with adults experiencing anxiety and depression and was employed in mental health and wellbeing services from 2008 until 2022 when I became fully self-employed.

I received my Post-Graduate Diploma in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) from the University of Exeter under the tuition of Professor Willem Kuyken, now Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre at Oxford University. I attained my Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College, where I also did my student placement for two and a half years, which included working with clients experiencing bereavement, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties.

I worked part-time for 9 years with students at the University of Exeter, delivering secular mindfulness and compassion courses and workshops, and one-to-one guided self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In my earlier days in this role I facilitated anxiety management courses and a range of other wellbeing workshops. In this role I also wrote booklets explaining CBT techniques for issues often encountered by students and blog posts for the Doctoral College on wellbeing related topics.

I have similarly provided mindfulness courses, stress, anxiety and depression management courses and one-to-one guided self-help CBT for various NHS services previously.

Additionally, I have facilitated introductory mindfulness sessions for several organisations in Exeter, including The Environment Agency, DEFRA and Elsevier.

I also completed a year’s internship on a research project investigating the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT) compared with antidepressants for relapse prevention of recurrent depression at the University of Exeter.

Prior to all this, I worked as a Victim Care Officer making initial contact with, and needs assessing, victims of crime to arrange relevant support. I also have experience as a Support Worker with adults with learning and developmental difficulties and as a volunteer for Samaritans.

In 2022 I wrote a bi-monthly wellbeing column for The Exeter Magazine. The articles I wrote can be found on my social media feeds.

I have participated in retreats led by other meditation teachers regularly since 2011, which have significantly deepened my own mindfulness and meditation practice and provided a further context for valuable learning.

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Relevant Qualifications

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP Accredited), Iron Mill College Exeter, March 2019

PGDip Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with Distinction, University of Exeter, 2014

PGCert Psychological Therapies (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)), University of Nottingham, 2010

MSc Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 2007

Additional Training

Includes:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Grief – Contextual Consulting, 2022

Mindfulness for Life (MBCT-L) – Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2021

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for Dissociation – Compassionate Mind Foundation, 2021

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression and Anxiety – Contextual Consulting, 2021

Mindfulness and Acceptance for Self Esteem – Contextual Consulting, 2021

The Discovery of Will – Experiential Introduction to Psychosynthesis, The Open Way, 2020

Working with Grief and Loss, Heartwood Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2020

Deepening and Sustaining Mindfulness for Life: Beyond the 8 Week Course, Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2020

MBSR Updates and Future Directions, University of Exeter, 2019

Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Mick Cooper, Compassionate Mind Foundation, 2018

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Trauma with Dr Russ Harris, Contextual Consulting, 2018

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for Trauma with Dr Deborah Lee, University of Birmingham, 2018

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) with Groups with Professor Paul Gilbert, University of Birmingham, 2017

Building Positivity in Depressed Clients, University of Reading, 2017

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Clinical Skills Building Intensive – Intermediate Level with Professor Steve Hayes, Contextual Consulting, 2016

The Impact of Trauma, Birmingham & Solihull MHF NHS Trust, 2016

OCD in Primary Care, Birmingham & Solihull MHF NHS Trust, 2016

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for Depression & Anxiety, University of Birmingham, 2016

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Self-Compassion with Professor Kelly Wilson, University of Wales, 2016

Enquiry in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2015

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intermediate Level, Mindfulness Training Ltd, 2015

Experiential Introduction Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Training Ltd, 2014

Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for Shame and Self-Critical Difficulties with Professor Paul Gilbert, University of Derby, 2014

Mindful Compassion, Psychology Associates, 2013

Teaching Mindfulness in Non-Clinical Settings, Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2013

Working with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), University of Exeter, 2013

Eating Disorders – Binge Eating and Bulimia Nervosa, Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders, 2012

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