I live and work in Devon. I grew to love and trust counselling from my own experience as a client. I have been lucky enough to see some lovely people who have helped me work through the life, death and loss experiences that we all come up against at some point or other. I have to say each counselling experience was very different to the next partly because of what I was bringing and partly because of the way each counsellor worked.

I was inspired to look for tools that I thought might help me and the people I love. Working in a library at the time, I had lots of useful books to choose from. Some rang true for me and in the same way you find a singer or a band you love, I started looking for more material and people who thought the same way.

One day I found myself explaining to my counsellor how I missed the post I used to hold at the Library. Of course I missed my friends but I realised I missed a role where what I did made a difference to someone. I ran groups for people living with little or no sight, mental health issues and dementia. I could see my group members opening up to a poem or story, some being moved to tears. Emotional responses came up for them. I felt able to listen but frustrated by a lack of time or skills to assist them.

My counsellor asked me to think about that. I realised I missed the therapeutic element of my work and could do more by training to be a counsellor myself.

I am always looking to expand my knowledge so that I can better understand my clients and myself.

Qualifications and Professional Membership

BA Combined Studies, Exeter University, Rolle Campus.

Certificate in Counselling, Iron Mill

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling ( BACP Accredited Training Course )

I am a registered member of the BACP