Welcome

Welcome to my website and thank you for taking the time to learn more about me.

I am a qualified counsellor, based in East Cumbria (Penrith). I moved from Devon to Cumbria in June 2023. I have gained most of my experience in Devon and value my ongoing connections there and newly built ones in Cumbria.

I provide a warm, confidential space where we can explore whatever is on your mind, whether it’s challenges you’re facing in the present or struggles you have experienced in the past. I’m here to support you with compassion, understanding, and without judgment.

I see everyone as an individual and put my whole attention onto the person rather than the ‘problem’. I believe that everyone has the ability to heal and discover their full potential. My role is to facilitate this process.

I work along ethical guidelines – promoting my clients’ autonomy and wellbeing, respecting boundaries, having a full awareness of diversity and ensuring my own professional growth and safe practice by consulting regularly with a clinical supervisor and attending ongoing professional development training.

While my specialty lies in trauma and abuse recovery, my integrative approach allows me to help with a wide range of issues, whether it is depression and anxiety or maybe feeling stuck. Together, we can work toward the clarity and emotional relief you deserve. I have experience and knowledge of working with individuals who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence and trauma and dissociation. Before setting up my private practice, I was working for domestic abuse services for many years. I have a deep understanding how damaging abuse of any kind can be to a person. Most of the clients I have worked with have experienced relationship abuse, childhood abuse or both. I can offer a safe and confidential space for you to start making sense of what happened to you and how this has impacted you. Together we can explore ways of how you can recover and move into a more positive future.

I work trauma informed. In sessions I share my knowledge of trauma with you, so you can understand the symptoms of trauma yourself and why your body and mind react the way they do.  My clients find this knowledge very useful, as it takes away the stigma of what they are going through. This understanding can form the basis for learning strategies that work for you, so that the symptoms of trauma lessen over time and you can rebuild yourself and your future how you want it to be. This looks different for each individual and we can explore what this means for you.

I offer counselling for many other difficulties that may affect someone’s life, whether this is anxiety, depression, significant life challenges, bereavement, bullying, burn out or being stuck in emotional or behaviour patterns you want to change for a better life.

I hold a 101 qualification in Transactional Analysis (TA) and use an integrative approach tailored to your needs, incorporating mindfulness-based interventions when appropriate. My approach is flexible and supportive, ensuring you get the right tools to move forward.

I am experienced in facilitating Pattern Changing courses for women who have or are in an abusive relationship. Where appropriate I use my Pattern Changing knowledge and resources in one to one counselling for individuals who will benefit from this specialist approach.

I am a skilled domestic abuse awareness trainer and have delivered training to GP surgeries, early years practitioners, Devon and Cornwall Fire Service, Rethink, RD&E, (safeguarding team and onward care team) and North Devon Council to name just a few.

I am on the NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) accredited register, which is a register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Thereby I demonstrate my commitment to high professional standards, to enhancing safety and delivering a better service to my clients.

I hold an up to date enhanced DBS certificate.

I grew up in Austria and moved to Devon in 2001. I love being outdoors, whether it is in the fells, in the forest or in my garden.

Qualifications:

Masters Degree in Psychology – Innsbruck University, Austria
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling – South Devon College, Paignton
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Young People and Adolescents – R.I.Q.T.A. , Torquay
Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate – Counselling Tutor
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor – SafeLifes, Bristol
TA 101 – Iron Mill College, Exeter
Mindfulness Based Interventions – National Counselling Society
Various Trauma Training:
Trauma, Dissociation & Recovery – PODS
Working with Dissociative Disorder in Clinical Practice – PODS
Dealing with Distress – Working with Self-Harm and Suicide – PODS
Working with Relational Trauma – Carolyn Spring
Mental Health and the Body – Carolyn Spring
Working with Shame – Carolyn Spring