Why Psychotherapy?
Any of us may become scared or frustrated by events in our lives. Sometimes parts of our lives just don't seem to be working out. We may become unhappy and come to an impasse. It is inevitable that we come face to face with a crisis of illness or loss. Some may have experienced a relationship breakdown or disturbing dreams and memories. Any one of these can make life seem overwhelming.

Even when we find the courage to admit what's happening, those closest to us are not equipped to help us. At these times it is often helpful to talk with a trained counsellor or therapist.

Crisis is not required..
Many people are interested in understanding how they have come to be who they are. They wish to learn and to grow either mentally, spiritually, or in their ability to be more in touch with what life has to offer.

Psychotherapy can help you deal with ... Relationships - Anxiety & Stress - Self-Esteem - Separation & Loss - Abuse (PTSD, Dissociative Disorders) - Personal Growth - Life Choices, addictions - gambling, substances and sexual addictions.

My basic philosophy
I have an eclectic practice which is influenced primarily by many approaches person centred, hypno-psychotherapeutic, Ericksonian, psychodynamic and CBT techniques. These have in recent years been built upon by trainings to keep up to date in what works for clients e.g. completed training in E.M.D.R (www.emdrassociation.org.uk/) which is viewed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a possible beneficial approach to the treatment of PTSD. Working both in private practise and for various providers of therapy (Mental Health, children services, secure forensic facilities) and as consultant (development of therapeutic input / groupwork programmes). In my experience it's the safety, trust, and appropriate attunment that evolves between the client and the therapist which enables a person to begin to move forward in new, exciting and healthy ways

Practice Profile

• Individuals - young people to Seniors

• Couples - Married, partners, parent and child

• Groups - Both personal growth groups and therapy groups, mixed and men's groups.

How We Begin To Work Together
Clients are referred by make contact with me mainly by word of mouth and recommendation through their friends, previous clients, physicians, other therapists etc.

Self-referrals are also welcome. Generally a first session is scheduled to discuss reasons for seeking therapy and to determine if we feel comfortable beginning to work together. Times for sessions, ethical issues, safety and confidentiality are discussed. Your questions are welcome. In the first or second session we establish our goals and focus for our sessions together. To initiate this process please phone to discuss a personal interview.

Selecting a therapist is an important task. It should be done with care. The client has the right to shop around and sample the people offering this important service. Initial visits are frequently for the express purpose of determining the appropriateness and the comfort of the working relationship. 

Sex Addiction can involve a wide variety of practices and  many state their unhealthy use of sex has been a progressive process and but over time becomes progressively linked to increasingly dangerous behaviours which can be placing themselves or others at increased harm.

According to conservative estimates, between three and six per cent of the population experience sexual addiction, but it's likely that the real figure is much higher. As the addiction can be accompanied by feelings of shame and embarrassment, sex addicts often find it difficult to seek help.  There's no profile of a typical sex addict. Sufferers come from every walk of life and approximately 20 per cent are female. Women can have particular problems being taken seriously when they look for help for compulsive sexual behaviour.

The essence of all addiction is the addicts' experience of powerlessness over a compulsive behaviour, resulting in their lives becoming unmanageable. The addict is out of control and experiences tremendous shame, pain and self-loathing. The addict may wish to stop --- yet repeatedly fails to do so.

The unmanageability of addicts' lives can be seen in the consequences they suffer: losing relationships, difficulties with work, arrests, financial troubles, a loss of interest in things not sexual, low self-esteem and despair.

Initially individual psychotherapy is specifically aimed at understanding and dealing with sexual addiction. This could utilise various modalities CBT, EMDR, Hypnotherapy etc

Some individuals may also have substance dependent issues, and relapse prevention prevention approaches also take there place within an holistic psychotherapeutic approach.