Counsellors and Psychotherapists in and near Brighton, BN2

Do you sometimes feel that life is an endless cycle of anxiety, stress or overwhelm? That getting motivated about your day is a struggle? Speaking with a mental health professional in a confidential space can help you navigate through any feelings of concern and begin to understand your mental wellbeing, relationships, behaviour patterns, beliefs or somatic responses on a much deeper level. Therapy facilitates a sense of genuinely relating with others and connecting with all aspects of yourself so you can be more present in your life. I'm a qualified and experienced humanistic therapist who is passionate about co-creating the therapeutic relationship to facilitate change or increase understanding for clients. My clinical specialism is working with the effects of depression, anxiety and trauma. With a particular interest in mothers/daughters - their relationships and transitions into motherhood. An aspect of therapy is increasing self-awareness, becoming more aware of our reactions to situations or people and identifying any connected emotions. I work creatively and collaboratively. I’m fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves and of ourselves. I’ve been involved with parenting groups in Brighton since 2010. Most notably, I set up and ran ‘Bosom Buddies’ (a breastfeeding in public support group) and ‘Brighton Sling Babies’ (a babywearing community and sling library). I’ve enjoyed volunteering with likeminded parenting and mother groups, and this has helped me to understand the rich tapestry of motherhood and myself, as a mother. As part of my professional development as a psychotherapy practitioner, I’ve been a volunteer therapist at an inner city college in the Midlands working predominately with an 18+ age group. Seeing clients within this setting has meant an incredibly diverse demographic who have wide-ranging reasons for referral. My work with them often focussed on them finding their own voice, autonomy, feeling safe to express their feelings, their parental relationships and to embrace their vulnerabilities in the face of tragedy. More recently, I’ve undertaken shorter-term focussed sessions with families and carers of substance users. This entails either agreeing a psychological contract (what they would like to change about themselves or their life) from the outset or working on an emerging contract (where there’s not a specific goal but an exploration to see what’s present for them). With all therapeutic work, I have an experienced supervisor to ensure I continue to excel with my professional standards and development.

I am an integrative therapist which means we can develop a way to work together that exactly suits your unique needs. I can help you with low self esteem, unhelpful patterns, and substance misuse so that you can live a life that works best for you.

I offer child / teen and adult counselling. I have experience of working within an NHS environment supporting parents and children experiencing a range of difficulties such as anxiety, finding it difficult to manage worries, work and school related stress, relationship breakdown, family conflict, social isolation, disability, critical health conditions and domestic abuse. I also have experience in supporting adults with learning disability and other difficulties such as anxiety and depression that prevent access to learning on university degree courses. My counselling room is situated on the calming waters edge at Southwick Lady Bee Marina. Easy and quick access from Brighton/Hove, Shoreham and surrounding Sussex villages and towns. Parking available.

I am a qualified person-centred counsellor and have experience of working with a broad range of people and problems. I have been practicing counselling for over 10 years. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and am bound by its code of ethics. Counselling has helped me in many ways over the years – as both a counsellor and as someone who has received counselling. Taking time to really listen to another human being, to step into their shoes and truly empathise, to offer support and no judgement, can be incredibly powerful and healing. I believe that every person has the ability to grow and fulfil their potential; to enhance their well-being and create a happier, healthier life for themselves. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and fellow human being, I aim to tap into all of my life experiences to help me empathise with my clients, to be open and accepting of them, and be the best counsellor I can be. I am interested in many aspects of therapy and am committed to continuing my professional and personal development through ongoing training and life-long learning. I receive regular Supervision with a BACP accredited supervisor in order to maintain a high standard of work. Alongside my counselling work, I help organisation's nurture authentic cultures to support innovation and creativity, and work with people to find their purpose and grow. I have supported staff through many difficult issues, both personal and work-related, and understand the stresses and challenges that can happen at work and how these can impact all aspects of your life.

My story Long after University, while still working in jobs that didn’t interest or fulfil me, a chance comment from a colleague sent me on a new path. This person had been experiencing difficulties in thier life and as a result had become very upset while at work one day. I spent time out of my day just listening to them and as I listened, I felt totally engaged in their story; this colleague told me I’d been more helpful than the therapist they’d been seeing recently. The idea that there was a job that was about people, about being useful and that wasn’t boring, was a revelation. The journey was hard, but I found a job that allowed me time to study and got a loan to pay for the course. I began my own therapy thinking ‘I’m okay, I’m only doing this as a course requirement. I already know myself well enough.’ I was very wrong about that. What I discovered was another me, one that had been suppressed, ignored and generally kept quiet. I didn’t like all the parts of myself that were unearthed but owning them makes me more resilient.  I came to realise that without integrating all those parts, even the parts I found uncomfortable, that I would never become what I wanted to be because too much of my time was spent trying to keep parts of myself buried. Since training as a counsellor, I have come to feel it more and more as a calling. Through continued study and training, by a greater understanding of how I work, by building my confidence and resilience and by learning to be comfortable with myself, I have worked hard to become as useful as I can be to my clients. I use this knowledge to be good at what I now do; to help others find out who they are and how to use that knowledge to their advantage.