Counselling & Psychotherapy
People go to counselling for all kinds of reasons, whether that means help with treating a specific mental health issue, for personal development or something as simple as wanting to reach a specific goal. It can also be to improve your self-care and gain a greater life balance. The point is, you don’t need to be struggling or in crisis to benefit from seeing a counsellor. Counselling can help you to learn about what you’re feeling, why you might be feeling it, and how to cope.
Counselling provides a safe and regular space for you to talk and explore your feelings. It can be a great relief to share your worries and fears with someone who acknowledges your feelings and is able to help you reach a positive solution.
It may be beneficial to come to counselling for a short period of time over a few weeks or months, or over a longer period of time that lasts for many months or years.
For counselling to be effective, you need to build a trusting and safe relationship with your counsellor. When choosing a therapist, it is important to feel comfortable with your therapist, and to decide whether you are a good fit. I am qualified and experienced in supporting you with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, bereavement, low self-esteem, identity, sexuality, phobia’s, emotional dysregulation & relationship problems. I have also completed further training with the National Centre for Eating Disorders, this enables me to support you in addressing the underlying causes of eating distress, such as poor body image, stuck habits, emotional eating, unhelpful ways of thinking and a critical inner voice.
“Overcoming difficulties leads to courage,
Self-respect and knowing yourself” Alfred Adler
Rewind Therapy
I am a Certified Rewind Therapy practitioner and trained with the International Association for Rewind Trauma Therapy (IARTT). The training is approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The rewind technique is a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and anxiety. It can be suitable for Young People and Adults.
The rewind technique is an effective treatment that can greatly reduce and remove trauma symptoms or phobias quickly, through relaxation and guided imagery. There is no requirement to talk about the details of the trauma incidents.
Rewind Therapy could help you if are experiencing flashbacks, bad dreams or nightmares, intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma or physical sensations such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling.
When someone suffers from trauma symptoms or phobias, a small part of the brain called the amygdala is responsible. This is part of the brain which helps activate the fight/flight response when we are in danger. If the fear is trapped in the amygdala, then any trigger can cause the feelings to rise again. The Rewind Therapy allows another part of the brain called hippocampus to calm the amygdala down and allow the experience/event which causes the fear to become a ‘normal’ memory and therefore reduces panic, anxiety, or flashbacks.
This technique is completely safe and does not come with risks of re-traumatisation, unlike some talking therapies. The rewind technique can be used as a stand-alone treatment for many one-off incidents or phobias and normally requires a few sessions. Or, it can be used for more complex multiple trauma, such as sexual abuse or assault, domestic abuse and emotional abuse which can sometimes work better when integrated with ongoing talking or creative arts therapies.
"I am not what happened to me,
I am what I choose to become". Carl Jung
Creative Arts Therapies
Creative art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses the creative arts as a means of expression. Creative Arts encourage individuals to draw on their inner creative resources and express their feelings without necessarily using words. These therapies impact and benefit mental health and well-being in a variety of ways. The creative process often leads to greater self-awareness and understanding, emotional expression, improvement in self-esteem, development of social skills, problem solving, reducing anxiety and management of emotional conflict.
Creative art therapies can involve the use of various art media such as: images, art, photography, music, play, drama, clay, creative writing, sandplay, puppets, therapeutic stories, visualisations & mindfulness. Working creatively is suitable for children, young people and adults. You don’t need to be artistic to benefit from working creatively, the use of creative media is always a choice. Creative interventions can be used for an entire session or form just part of a more traditional talking counselling session.
Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy provides a place for expression within a safe container. It is a way to connect to your inner world. You will use symbols and miniatures as a means of expression.
Working with Clay
Clay works primarily with the unconscious mind. This process allows emotions to emerge from which healing can take place.
Nesting Dolls
Working with nesting dolls allows us to understand and reconnect with all parts of ourselves. They create a safe distance and container for expressing feelings physically and symbolically.
Creative Journalling
A freeing way to express your creativity, work through thoughts and ideas and experiment with new creative techniques. There are no rules with creative art journals.
Nature Therapy
Healing with nature, through mindful walking, photography, visualisations, and creating simple art with existing natural materials.
Therapeutic Art
Collage, painting & drawing are ways to express yourself in a safe and non-judgemental way. Art can enable deep insights into themes and conflicts that may be affecting thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Creative Writing
Writing is a means of making sense of experience & of gaining a greater understanding of self. The use of creative writing therapeutically can complement verbal discussions.
Music as Therapy
Healing with music, through discussing music, listening to music, making music, writing songs, singing or dancing.
Postcards, Images & Photography
A powerful insight into thoughts, feelings, memories and associations. Used to deepen insight and enhance communication.
“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has
Struggled with in vain”
C.G Jung
Services & Costs
Individual Face to Face Counselling:
50 minutes - £60
I can offer a warm, safe environment from my Counselling Office in Chillerton, Newport, Isle of Wight. There is also outdoor space available if you prefer to work outside.
Online Video Counselling:
50 minutes - £60
If you are unable to meet in person, I am happy to offer you individual video counselling sessions to accommodate your needs. Online counselling sessions are via Zoom.
Walk & Talk Counselling:
50 minutes - £60
Walk & Talk sessions are a creative alternative to traditional counselling. Instead of having sessions inside my office, the sessions will take place outdoors in and around Chillerton or around the grounds of Carisbrooke Castle.
* Please note these fees do not apply to work undertaken for organisations/services. A quote for work can be submitted on request.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend our session but provide me with more than 48-hour notice, there is no charge and we can simply re-arrange our session. However, any sessions cancelled within the 48-hour notice period will be charged at the full session fee. Fees are payable by Bank Transfer 48 hours prior to the session to secure your appointment with me. Any sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will still be charged.