I’m a Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist currently based in Exeter and Newton Abbot, who also offers sessions online. I work with a range of presenting issues. In my practice I integrate traditional counselling approaches with some of the newer approaches developed out of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): namely Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
My Background as a Counsellor and Therapist
I qualified as an Integrative Counsellor in 2019 from Iron Mill College in Exeter, and as a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist in 2014 from the University of Exeter under the tuition of Professor Willem Kuyken, now Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre at Oxford University.
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 a fully self-employed Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist.
Much of my work as a Counsellor has involved supporting clients experiencing bereavement, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. As a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist I have taught group and one-to-one mindfulness courses in person and online. I have also facilitated introductory mindfulness sessions for several well-known organisations in Exeter and Newton Abbot.
Prior to becoming a fully self-employed Counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist, 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.
I also completed a year’s internship on a research project investigating the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) compared with antidepressants for relapse prevention of recurrent depression at the University of Exeter.
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 practice, and provided a further context for valuable learning.
Before Becoming a Counsellor and Therapist
Before training in counselling and therapy, 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.
Counselling and Mindfulness Registrations
I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA). This is your assurance that I meet the standards expected for counsellors and mindfulness teachers and that I follow the professional codes of ethics for both of these professions.
Relevant Qualifications to Counselling and Therapy
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP Accredited), Iron Mill College Exeter, 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 Counselling and Therapy Training
Includes:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD – Contextual Consulting, 2025
Treating Perfectionism – Contextual Consulting, 2024
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Worrying, Ruminating and Obsessing – Contextual Consulting, 2023
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to Support Grieving People – Intermediate Level, Contextual Consulting, 2023
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
Picture by Nat Hook Photography