THERAPY - Caring for you
Individual DBT Therapy
As a psychotherapist and experienced Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) therapist I am here to support you in individual therapy if you feel you're living in a constant emotional storm, are disconnected or dissatisfied with your life as it is.
You might feel that your emotions go from zero to one hundred in seconds, leaving you feeling overwhelmed or out of control. When emotions are this intense, it is common to fall into patterns of behaviour that feel damaging to your life or your relationships, such as impulsive actions or ways of coping that provide temporary relief but cause long-term pain. In therapy we can help you understand these cycles and learn skills to regulate your feelings, helping you create a life that feels more stable and meaningful.
DBT for Families and Couples
Problems relating to emotional dysregulation are never due to the individual themselves. We humans are very social creatures and we are profoundly influenced by those we have close to us, both now and in our earlier lives. I have a particular interest in helping the 'support system' for our DBT clients, which includes the partners, parents, and family members of those struggling with intense emotional dysregulation. I have trained with world-renowned expert Alan Fruzzetti and can offer specialised DBT therapy specifically for families and couples.
You may feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells, terrified that saying the wrong thing will trigger a crisis or a blow-up. It is exhausting to live in a state of high conflict where every conversation feels like a battlefield. This approach focuses on:
- Understanding and breaking the cycle of high-conflict interactions.
- Reducing the deep sense of emotional burnout that comes from supporting a loved one in distress.
- Learning specific communication skills to stay connected even when emotions are running high.
If there is sufficient interest, I also offer a dedicated skills group specifically for family members of those currently going through DBT.
- In our relationship skills programme we enhance communication and help you understand where conflict has occurred.
- The goal is to be the best partner, parent, sibling, friend and relation we can be.
- We are currently taking expressions of interest in this group programme so please get in touch if you'd like to learn more.
Relationship and Psychosexual Therapy
My work with couples and individuals is rooted in a compassionate, humanistic approach. I have over 25 years of experience helping people navigate the complexities of intimacy and connection.
Many people come to see me when they feel they have lost the spark or when their relationship has turned into a "roommate" dynamic where sex and intimacy feel like a source of anxiety rather than joy. Whether you are dealing with specific sexual difficulties, exploring your gender or sexual orientation, or navigating non-traditional relationship forms like polyamory, I provide a non-judgmental space to explore your needs. I integrate the Developmental Model (Bader-Pearson) and the insights of Esther Perel to help you identify patterns of disconnection and become the most authentic version of yourself within your relationships.
QUALIFICATIONS & ACCREDITATION
Senior Accredited Member and Supervisor: College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT).
Registered Member: United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
- 1996: Diploma in Social Work and Diploma in Higher Education from Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work (CCETSW) and Open University. Qualified Social Worker
- 1999: Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual Psychotherapy from Whittington Hospital & South Bank University
- 2001: Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision & Organisational Consultancy from Whittington Hospital School of Counselling & Psychotherapy
EXPERIENCE
I have worked in the NHS for 25 years. I worked in a specialist Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) personality disorder service (14 years) and as a psychosexual and relationship therapist (25 years). I work in private practice. I tend to work with high conflict couples. I supervise trainee psychosexual therapists on the London Diploma course and taught for over 10 years.
I trained at the Whittington Hospital/South Bank University and I am a senior accredited member and an accredited supervisor of the College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and a member of United Kingdom College of Psychotherapists (UKCP).
One thing to be clear on when you’re choosing a psychologist, is that therapists are humans too. This means no one therapist will feel ‘right’ for everyone. I want you to know that that even if we aren’t a helpful match, there will be a therapist out there for you, so please hold hope that you can be supported in the way you need.
TEACHING
DBT annual conference – Working with Couples
London Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy (LDPRT) Alumni – DBT with couples