- Registered Mental Health Nurse (1985-1988)
- Cert. Interactional Dynamic Psychotherapy (1993)
- BA (Hons) Social Dimensions of Health (1996)
- MA Psychiatry, Philosophy and Society (2000)
- Introductory Cert. Group Analysis (2002)
- Skills Certificate in Cognitive Analytical Therapy (2003)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Assessment (2003)
- PG Dip Education/Registered Nurse Tutor (2007)
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner (CAT) 2006
- PhD Metaphor and pictorial metaphor in Cognitive Analytic therapy (2016)
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy Supervisor (2022)
- Royal College of Nursing Psychosocial Interventions Consultant trainer (2024)
- Member Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy
- Member Royal College of Nursing Photograph
I am an experienced registered mental health nurse, therapist and academic with over 40 years in the profession. Having several different trainings in psychological therapies and mental health support, with extensive experience in the field of mental health and wellbeing, I bring a supportive and relationship focussed approach to the therapy encounter.
My work is often with complex mental health problems including personality problems, depression, anxiety and anger. Alongside my core identity as a Nurse and a Cognitive Analytic Therapist and supervisor I have had training and experience in a number of psychological interventions which include Cognitive behavioural Therapy (CBT), Group Analysis, Interactional Dynamic psychotherapy, Humanistic Counselling, Psychosocial Interventions, and the Chimp model.
I bring a wide range of experiences to my therapy work with therapeutic and research collaborations that are local, regional, national and international. These collaborations have enhanced my skills and experience which further enhance my work in the therapeutic encounter. My research and publication portfolio includes work in bereavement, end of life, therapeutic encounters, clinical supervision, and wellbeing through sport.
I have a keen interest in clinical supervision, have regular supervision myself, teach clinical supervision programmes and supervise several clinicians and staff in the private, NHS, and University sector. As a Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner and supervisor and clinical supervisor of nurses, therapists, and academics I try to support and foster best clinical practice.
As an Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing and Wellbeing at a local University I lead on the development and delivery of mental health nurse and wellbeing research and education. This builds on an extensive career as a leader and researcher, working across the NHS and University sector, contributing to ward, community, psychological therapy and charitable organisations as an educator, clinician and researcher.
Cognitive Analytic Therapy is a time limited therapy particularly useful for individuals who are experiencing a range of mental health problems from stress, anxiety, depression and complex personality problems.
Therapeutic work is active and shared and involves the use of written reformulation (an understanding of your problems) diagrams and other therapeutic tools.
CAT focuses on understanding how your problems developed, how they are maintained by conscious and unconscious process, and altering these habitual patterns of dealing with stress and distress into more healthy procedures.
CAT is Cognitive in that it makes use of the client’s ability to observe and think about themselves.
CAT is analytical as unacknowledged unconscious facts are noticed and worked with. In addition, the therapist client relationship is acknowledged and used in therapy.
CAT is integrated in that a cohesive body of theory has been developed with a unique understanding of personality and development. It emphasizes the interplay between mental processes, feelings, actions and consequences.
CAT notices the importance of closure in the therapeutic relationship. As the therapy is time limited we will concentrate on change during therapy and ensure appropriate closure at the end of therapy
The issues I commonly work with include:
- Anger
- Depression
- Complex personality problems
- Anxiety
- Loss and grief
Fee: £80 per session and £80 for a reformulation
