My background
Before working as a counsellor, I spent 20 years in education, youth and community settings. This included working across statutory, private and charity organisations, and continues to shape the way I work, particularly my understanding of responsibility, pressure, relationships and the emotional demands of supporting others.
My background includes teaching, business management, community work, and working in charities, CICs and recovery services. As a qualified educator, I understand how rewarding people-focused work can be, but also how exhausting, pressured and complex it can become.
As well as working directly with students and communities, I founded and managed an education and training organisation delivering accredited learning programmes.
I also have experience supporting adults recovering from alcohol and drug addiction in specialist recovery services, including work as a counsellor in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and community support services.
I have specialist trauma-informed training and practise in trauma-informed ways. This means recognising that emotional distress often develops in response to difficult or overwhelming life experiences. While everyone’s story is different, many people discover that alcohol or drugs became a way of coping with emotional pain, trauma or other challenges.
Rather than viewing addiction through the lens of shame or blame, I aim to understand the purpose substance use has served and support clients in finding healthier ways of meeting those needs.
