A confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings and challenges in your life.
'One has to know one's buried truth in order to be able to live one's life' Dori Laub
What has brought you here? Perhaps you are finding life overwhelming and long for a space in which to make sense of confusing emotions or you desire greater self awareness.
How can I help? I will help you to find new ways of coping with problems. Psychodynamic therapy can be challenging but working together uncovering who you truly are, can bring a huge sense of relief and allow you to gain some clarity for a path forward.
Is it for me?
As your personal therapist, I will offer you 1:1 psychodynamic relational therapy in a confidential, warm and welcoming setting where you will be listened to without judgement. We will explore your feelings together and think about what you need more or less of in order to feel less burdened in life.
About Me
I work in a psychodynamic way which is a therapy developed as a follow on from Freud and psychoanalysis. It argues we are better equipped to cope with life's ups and downs if we explore our past experiences and how these have shaped us now. Working with me may entail looking at your unconscious mind and the beliefs your past has left you with that we may need to challenge and unlearn. I am also a Psychosexual therapist in-practice, (currently completing advanced psychosexual studies at the Tavistock Clinic in London).
I have been in practice for ten years working with individuals and couples using a relational, psychodynamic model in the Hook, Basingstoke and Farnham areas of North Hampshire. This approach is particularly helpful for exploring hidden emotions and becoming more aware of your patterns of behaviour. No two therapy sessions are alike as your needs are unique to you.
My research interests are the impact of trauma on the body, how this shows up in relationships and in helping couples to communicate their needs better. I do this by offering a safe, discreet, inclusive and non-judgemental psychotherapy service to explore your concerns, gain a greater understanding of your experiences and develop a new relationship with yourself and others.
I am registered with BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists) and have also worked in the third sector mentoring students.
Services
Individual Therapy
One to one counselling can empower you to face challenging life hurdles in the knowledge that you are not alone. It can offer an important lifeline and can change lives for the better.
Every client is unique so I do not use a one size fits all approach. I work in an informal, warm, supportive and open way avoiding structure and allowing what happens between us in the room to unfold. For those who prefer a more structured, prescriptive way of working, this might not be the therapy for you. The aim being that you come to understand yourself, hidden defences and relationship problems on a much deeper level. This will enable you to bring a greater satisfaction and stability to your life.
Couples Therapy
I aim to facilitate an understanding of the conflict and explore what your hopes are. You may want to be more equipped to use your voice and ask for what you need or to hear what may be going on for your partner, it can be helpful to identify what is causing the relationship difficulties. Some couples will have different views to these questions, so honesty can be an important part of the process.
Separate individual sessions can be arranged if this is deemed helpful. Sessions are offered in blocks with the option of ad-hoc sessions to check in after the main period of counselling has ended. Couples may be asked to put into practice techniques between sessions.
Psychosexual Therapy
A specialist type of therapy that helps couples and individuals address sexual difficulties including the absence of sex where one or more partners would like sex to be part of the relationship. You may wish to have sex therapy alone or with your partner for any sexual issue. Including -
- getting/maintaining an erection
- Pain during sex
- Difficulties ejaculating or ejaculating too quickly
- Differences over how much or the type of sex you both want
- Use of Internet porn or cybersex
- Confusion around sexuality/identity
- Illness or disability which impacts your sex life.
- Talk therapy based, no touch is involved. Treatment includes setting of exercises to do at home.
Qualifications and Training
Registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy).
A member of HACP (Hampshire Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy).
www.hacp.co.uk, www.bacp.co.uk,
COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists)
In following good practice, I am in regular clinical supervision, attend regular training events and am on the DBS update service. I also have public liability insurance and am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office.
- Current 2025 - Level 7 Diploma in Psychosexual therapy (Tavistock Relationships)
- Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling (BACP Accredited Training Course) Southampton Counselling
- BACP Accredited Training Course 187620/10317 and validated by BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council)
- Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills from The Counselling Foundation
- BSc. (Hons) Psychology
- Certificate in Couples Counselling Skills Training
Other training: Attachment styles, Causes of Depression, Gender Identity, Trauma held in the Body, Anger Management, hopelessness, mindfulness, problem pornography use.
When and where do we meet?
The most benefit is gained from weekly therapy at the same time and place but I try to be flexible with shift workers and family commitments so sometimes see clients weekly, fortnightly every month or ad-hoc.
You do not have to live near me in order to make use of the therapy, I work with clients online. In-person therapy sessions are held in Basingstoke, RG24 8PE. My therapy room offers a warm and calm space to switch off mentally from the pressures of the outside world.
What My Clients Say
Get in touch
How can I book some sessions?
To make an initial appointment, you can email me or telephone on 07949176337 and let me know your availability. I will endeavour to respond within 24 hours. If you telephone and I am not able to answer your call immediately, I may be in a session. Please leave me a message with your name and number. I aim to return all calls within 24 hours or if on a Friday, I will call or email you the following Monday.
What does it cost?
My fees are benchmarked against other counsellors working in the same area.
- First session (individuals – £30, couples – £60)
- Further sessions (individuals £60, couples £100)
- Psychosexual therapy - 50 minutes (a limited number of concessionary spaces available whilst completing mandatory hours as a trainee psychosexual therapist) Individuals -£45 Couples - £60
- Registered with Healthcode Insurance EAP Provider
- Vitality, WPA, Health Assured and Allianz EAP
Next steps - If you would like some therapy going forward, it can be open-ended or we agree how many sessions together. Once the initial session has been taken, there is an agreement to complete and sign which I will share with you should you wish to continue. Sessions last for 50 minutes and are payable in advance. Half fee is required if cancelling less than three days in advance. The full fee is required if cancelling within 24 hours, this is because the session and room booking will have already been booked out for you.
All sessions are payable by bank transfer within 24 hours of making your booking. Payment secures your appointment. If payment is not received within this time frame your appointment will be cancelled. A concession rate of £55 per session is available for trainee counsellors (subject to availability).
On occasion I may have some short term, concession slots at the rate of £45 available for those facing financial difficulties. Please enquire.
Fees are reviewed annually.
Frequently asked questions
What is counselling?
Counselling can be thought about as a unique type of relationship between a client and therapist. It can be helpful to unravel and experience sometimes painful feelings in relation to what may have happened to us in our past, what we may be going through right now or simply to have some time to yourself in a completely confidential and safe environment where you will be listened to and accepted without judgement.
Therapy unfolds in a gentle and accommodating way and moves at a pace that you, the client, decides. In the journey we create together, particularly difficult or painful subjects are brought into conscious awareness only when you are ready to do so.
What is Psychodynamic Therapy?
As a psychodynamic therapist my work is informed by certain aspects of psychoanalytic thinking, for example we may not always be aware of everything we are doing or why. Our conscious thoughts and feelings are only a small part of who we are. We are also motivated by the unconscious parts of our minds. Psychodynamic therapy helps clients become more aware of themselves, to see their way of being in life more clearly and to know themselves with greater clarity. With this knowing and understanding we can then be in a position to address problems and think about a way forward.
What conditions can it help?
It helps with many problems such as:
Abuse, Anger management, Attachment disorder, Bereavement, Depression, Family issues, Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Narcissistic personality disorder, Relationship issues, Self-harm, Separation and divorce, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Trauma, Work related stress and many others.
I have a special interest in trauma and its effect on the body, family conflict, issues with our sense of identity, pressures to fulfil expectations whether societal, family, peers or our own.
Is it confidential?
Yes. I will require your written permission to talk to anyone else about your sessions. Confidentiality is taken very seriously and I do not disclose material to any other party, other than in clinical supervision. All counsellors/psychotherapists are required to be in supervision and consult regularly with another counsellor/psychotherapist to review and enhance clinical work. My practice is supervised by a more experienced therapist to ensure that I am providing you with the best therapy I possibly can. I discuss my caseload with my supervisor but your identifying details (name, address, etc.) are withheld.
It must be borne in mind however, that there are limits to confidentiality. If I had concerns that you or another person were at risk of harm, I may seek to obtain additional input from other professionals. In each case, I always aim to discuss any such issues and agree a plan of action with the client, except in emergencies where I may need to take immediate action.
How do I work?
What brings you to therapy will inform whether we work short-term or in open ended counselling, I offer both. Short term (6-12 sessions) can be helpful when looking at particular issues for example, stress at work, anxiety/panic attacks or relationship difficulties. Open-ended counselling can be helpful for some deeper rooted issues such as problems with low self-esteem, understanding depression or trauma linked to your past.
What happens during the first session?
Our first session will be a time for us to explore the issues that are bringing you into therapy. Although I will ask some questions, the aim will be to see if we can work together and if the therapy that I offer is right for you. We will also think about whether short-term or open-ended therapy is preferred.
What can I expect from the counselling process?
Beginning counselling can feel daunting but empowering so being prepared for what to expect maybe helpful. Your therapy session provides a regular time and space in which together we will try to make some sense of the difficulties you are experiencing. Solutions are not always clear but we will explore what your options are in terms of finding a way forward.
Where do you work?
My therapy room is located on the ground floor in Devonshire House, Wade Road, Basingstoke RG24 8PE. There is allocated parking onsite, reception area, disabled access, cooled water and air conditioning.
Driving:
Junction 6 M3 - 1.3 Miles
Junction 11 M4 - 11.9 Miles
Train Station and Bus:
When you have arrived at Basingstoke railway station it is a 29 minute (1.4 mile) walk or a 4-minute drive to Devonshire Business Centre or alternatively you can take the number 7 Bus which is approximately a 10-minute journey and get off at Wade Road.
Please contact me to arrange an initial assessment.
How often are the sessions?
I see individual clients at least once a week, and sometimes more often, either for an open-ended period of time or for an agreed number of sessions. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of problem someone wants to work on and the type of solution they are seeking. Sessions are 50 minutes and usually take place on the same day and time each week. Although the outcome is best if session times are kept the same, there is flexibility in this.
I see couples individually and/or together, usually for an agreed number of sessions, but sometimes for an open-ended period of time. These sessions are an hour and sometimes more for an initial assessment.
Yes, but is it for me?
Only you can decide, but it can be extremely beneficial for anyone who is facing stress or difficult times, who are in need of support/guidance or just needing someone neutral to talk to.
What next?
If you would like to learn more about coming into therapy with me, please read about my approach (What is Psychodynamic Counselling?), and my qualifications and experience. Or if you prefer to talk this through, please telephone me on 07949176337.