My story
My background is in theatre and performance. After leaving Drama school, I supplemented my work in theatre, tv and commercials by facilitating groups of young people in Drama, Shakespeare and voice for over 20 years. It still inspires me to see how quickly transformation can occur when working with people on their voice and body language. The confidence produced seems to pervade all areas of life, quite literally turning things around for people that previously thought of themselves as shy or introverted.
As well as acting, I found myself hosting or compering a number of public events, both on stage and more recently online. I now love sharing the tools that I found and used to conquer my own nerves on stage, with my clients.
I still love theatre, and for the last 5 years have hosted a 'scratch' night, or platform for artists, both new and experienced, to try out their ideas and snippets of work in front of an audience, both in a London theatre and online.
I love being able to offer a supportive environment where people are both permitted and actually encouraged to get things 'wrong'. I believe it’s only by allowing ourselves to be ok with 'failing', that we find new and creative ways to work and live.
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
I have always been drawn to helping people achieve their potential, and in 2013 trained as a Cognitive Behavioural hypnotherapist – a form of hypnotherapy that integrates aspects of CBT, hypnosis and mindfulness. I have a background in yoga and meditation and I found this 'CBH' approach to be a really good fit with my way of seeing the world.
Creative Pyschotherapy
I also completed a Dramatherapy Masters degree at Roehampton University. Dramatherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative means of expression alongside the more familiar 'talk' therapy. I choose to use the term creative psychotherapy, alongside dramatherapy, in recognition of the fact that I work creatively with clients in numerous ways, including just the way we might think about their issues. For some people, the word 'drama' has negative connotations and I feel that the word 'creative' gives a more accurate picture to clients of how we can work. I have experienced working in a number of different mental health settings and have worked with a range of clients and issues that include ASD, BPD, eating disorders, trauma, attachment disorders and bereavement.
How I work
I work intuitively and combine aspects of my different training and experience into transformational work with my individual clients and groups. I enjoy getting to know and tailoring programs and therapy for my clients that address their specific needs as individuals. My work ranges from working purely with client's thoughts and feelings in talking sessions, through to creating behaviour change, using role play, voice and, if it suits the client, into work where we really get into the body and what it holds through embodied movement. I pride myself on making all my clients feel comfortable, listened to and safe, whichever way we decide to work.
Qualifications
I currently work as a mental health clinician in the NHS. I also work as a trainer and supervisor for the uk college of hypnosis and hypnotherapy - currently the only hypnotherapy course recognised for CPD by the British Psychological Society.
MA Dramatherapy
Roehampton University
Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy
UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Additional Training
Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation
Hypnotherapy for Insomnia
Stress Management and Resilience Building
Working with Therapy Cards
Registers & Memberships
Registered Hypnotherapist and Supervisor with the General Hypnotherapy Register
Registered Dramatherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council
Member of the British Association for Dramatherapists
I have an enhanced DBS and am registered with the update service.
