Relational Psychotherapy Practitioner | Psycho-educational Facilitator
My journey into psychotherapy began with my own recovery from gambling addiction. That experience taught me that lasting change is possible and inspired a career dedicated to helping others. For over twenty-five years I have worked within addiction services, becoming recognised as a specialist in gambling addiction and helping to develop gambling treatment within the organisations I worked for. Alongside this, I have spent more than ten years supporting people experiencing a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties.
Through my work, I came to realise that addiction was often only one part of a much bigger story. Beneath addictive behaviours I frequently encountered trauma, shame, anxiety, relationship difficulties and deeply held beliefs about not being good enough. This understanding shaped the way I practise today.
At the heart of my work is relational psychotherapy. I believe that our experiences, relationships and the messages we receive throughout life shape the beliefs we hold about ourselves. Over time, those beliefs often become the voice of our Inner Critic, influencing how we think, feel and relate to others. My role is to help people understand the story that shaped them, develop a more compassionate relationship with their Inner Critic, and learn practical skills that support meaningful and lasting change. Together, our aim is not simply to reduce distress, but to build a life that feels authentic, connected and worth living.
I integrate relational psychotherapy with evidence-informed approaches, including CBT, DBT, coaching and psychoeducation, tailoring therapy to the individual rather than expecting the individual to fit the model. Alongside extensive workplace training, clinical experience and ongoing professional supervision, I have completed a Diploma in Coaching, undertaken further training in CBT and DBT Skills, and participated in experiential personal and professional development with Onsite in the United States, including The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge.
I believe therapists continue to grow throughout their careers, both professionally and personally, and I remain committed to my own ongoing learning and development. Alongside one-to-one therapy, I design and facilitate psycho-educational programmes exploring emotional wellbeing, relationships, self-esteem, the Inner Critic and DBT skills. Influenced by Marsha Linehan's principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, I believe growth comes from balancing acceptance with change. By combining compassionate exploration with practical psychological skills, my aim is to help people build what DBT describes as a life worth living.
Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem or simply feeling stuck, I believe every person has a story worth understanding. When we understand that story, we can begin to relate to ourselves with greater compassion, make different choices and create lasting change.
