Counselling

Counselling can be helpful if you'd like some time to reflect and talk to someone in a safe space. There can be times in our life when someone listening to us can help us to move forward. There are lots of counsellors and different counselling approaches and it is important to find a counsellor you like and an approach that suits you.

My Approach

I am a motivational interviewing client-centred counsellor, this means I believe that you are the best expert of your life. I listen to people and guide them to find their own solutions and ways forward.

I believe everyone has the capacity to make changes and everyone has their own strengths and solutions.

Counselling sessions can be weekly or fortnightly and they last up to an hour. I provide counselling in my own home in a quiet confidential room. A taster session can be helpful to see if counselling is something we both think could be helpful and if my way of working suits you.

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their ethical framework.

Qualifications

My career began 35 years ago with a psychology degree. Following this I qualified in counselling skills and theory and completed my counselling diploma in 1994.

I have progressed in my professional development over the last 20 years, and have a postgraduate diploma in counselling children and adolescents.

I have completed courses on:

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Transactional analysis
Post traumatic stress disorder
Solution focused therapy
Creative therapies
Child protection
Substance misuse
Eating disorders
Suicide prevention
Mental health
Self harm

Professional Experience and Employment

Cardiff Alcohol and Drugs Team - Substance misuse counsellor

Cardiff County Council Employee Counselling Service - Counsellor

Connect 141 121 - Young person helpline counsellor

Coed Y Gof Primary School - Play therapist

Currently, I am a school counsellor at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr and I continue to run a private practice for clients.

This experience, in a number of settings, has included working with a wide variety of issues including:

Anxiety, stress and depression
Weight issues
Bereavement and loss
Fertility issues
Life direction and goals
Parenting
Relationship issues
Self harm, low mood, suicidal thought
Substance misuse, alcohol and smoking

If you would like to know more about the counselling I provide, please click here and I will contact you.

Supervision

Supervision is an essential requirement for practitioners who provide therapeutic interventions for clients. Sessions can be carried out one to one or as a group.

Supervision provides a space for practitioners to explore their work, identify personal and professional development needs and review their client work in a supportive and challenging environment.

Approach

I provide a safe space for individuals and groups to explore their therapeutic practice. I encourage supervisees to challenge themselves and find new ways of working and, when appropriate, I offer challenge.

Whilst the motivational interviewing approach is at the core of my counselling, I am experienced in, and respectful of, other approaches. This means that I am flexible in my supervision approach and tailor my intervention according to the needs of my supervisee.

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their ethical framework.

Qualifications

Postgraduate diploma in consultative supervision.

Experience

Cardiff Alcohol and Drug Team - Supervisor within the volunteer co-ordinator role, providing both individual and group supervision for volunteer counsellors

Action For Children - Clinical supervisor for volunteer counsellors

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board - Group supervisor

I currently provide supervision to: