Having studied French and Spanish at Cambridge University, I taught for a while in Toulouse at the catering and tourism college (Lycée Technique d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme) and at the University (Le Mirail).   After this, I worked for some years in Public Relations, before moving on to teaching French & Spanish in secondary school, and then parenthood.  I went on to train in Person Centred counselling, during which I experienced a taster session in Gestalt Therapy.  I felt to come alive during this taster session, so with interest piqued, I followed my curiosity and went on to train in Gestalt Psychotherapy.  During this training I experienced intensive group work as well as the deep privilege of many years of my own personal therapy.

 

Central to Gestalt therapy, is mindful awareness – with increased awareness, we have greater flexibility for choosing what we do next.  I already had an established meditation practice, and when I heard about Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), I decided to support my awareness practice first by embarking on an 8 week MBCT course for the general public, and then training to teach MBCT, at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, Oxford University.  Cultivating mindful awareness takes practice, and in the MBCT programme I found a systematic, deeply nourishing and invaluable way of supporting this.  I incorporate mindfulness techniques into my practice as a Gestalt therapist, and am able to work on a one to one basis with those who wish to work through the MBCT programme.  I am a member of Maret Dymond Bassett’s team at New Forest Mindfulness, helping deliver the 8-week MBCT group course to adults.  Please visit www.newforestmindfulness.com for more information.  

 

My private practice is based in central Winchester, in a discreet multi-purpose office building, just off the top of the high street. In addition to my private practice, I have for several years worked for a Winchester based charity, delivering counselling to those aged 18 and above.  I also work part-time as a member of the counselling team for a Hampshire sixth form college, and so have active experience of working therapeutically with students aged 16-18.

 

I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and abide by their ethical framework.  I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and am registered with the ICO.