Being a psychotherapist is a passion and a vocation for me; I'm privileged to have been this space for over a decade. My working experiences - with individuals, couples/pairs and groups - stem from the UK and The Netherlands. I lived in Amsterdam for a few years from 2014. Though I'm now based in the Peak District, most of my professional experience evolved in central London: I'm fortunate to have worked with diverse beings in diverse settings (NHS, private practice, general and specialist services). I think each experience expanded my world personally and professionally. Prior to this I worked in Financial Services - and in its own way this experience expanded my 'knowing' too.

As part of my professional ethics, I meet with another experienced psychotherapist (a supervisor) regularly to help me be the best I can be - especially in my work. Please see 'FAQ' for more on the professional ethics I aspire to. Now that I work solely online, I'm grateful to have explored the ethical nuances of relating within this medium in 2015 when training with the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online. Finally, I hold senior accredited membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

I'm also a...

Writer. Writing has become my thing in more recent years. Please see writings tab if interested. I also have a book chapter on diversity and inclusion in health leadership in a forthcoming Research Handbook, related to my PhD (see below). Prior to this I was on the editorial board for a psychiatric journal (the World Cultural Psychiatry Research Review). I have also reviewed papers submitted to the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling.

Media Spokesperson. I'm sometimes consulted by the media on topical issues, independently and as a spokesperson for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Related articles may be found on the media tab.

Trainer. Training other therapists on a counselling degree/diploma for a few years from 2013 was a great experience. I have found facilitating organisational training - especially on the topics of 'race' and difference - similar.

Doctoral Researcher . Woven into the above is my PhD. I'm in the final year of my research on the lack of racially minoritised women in health leadership.

Here is a copy of my Online Working Agreement. It is information about how I work, such as my policy on upholding confidentiality, data protection and professional ethics. I tend to discuss these with clients in a first session but welcome related questions/comments at any point.

• Senior Accredited Registered Member, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Certified Cyber Therapist (Online Therapy Institute)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Supervision (Counselling Xtra)
• MSc, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies (Barts and the London School of Medicine)
• BA hons, Person-Centred Counselling (Metanoia Institute)
• BSc hons, Economics and Economic History (University of Warwick)

• Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Trainer in independent practice (Jun 2011 - present)
• Doctoral Researcher, University of Manchester (Sep 2020 - present)
• Editorial Board Member, World Cultural Psychiatry Research Review (Jul 2013 - 2019)
• Clinical Lead (Counselling Service), Mind in Enfield (Apr 2018 - Oct 2018, Maternity Cover)
• Locum Counsellor/Psychotherapist, University of the Arts (Jan 2017 - Jun 2017)
• Assistant/Guest Tutor, Metanoia Institute/Middlesex University (Apr 2013 - Feb 2015 & Oct 2016 - Feb 2017)
• Counsellor/Psychotherapist, St Bartholomew's Hospital (Jun 2013 - Apr 2014)
• Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Lifeline, Addictions support service (Jan 2013 - Dec 2013)
• Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Woman's Trust, Domestic abuse support service (Jul 2009 - Oct 2010)
• Student Counsellor/Psychotherapist, MIND (Sep 2009 - Jun 2010)
• Student Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy Service (Nov 2008 - Nov 2009)

Many people find online counselling useful as another way to express themselves; it is not a substitute for face-to-face therapy. Or indeed vice versa: face-to-face therapy cannot offer some of the benefits of online counselling. Please see writings for a beginner's guide to online therapy - an article I wrote.

If you are feeling particularly unwell or desperate, it is better that you try to get some face-to-face support if possible; and in case of emergency contact your GP or local Accident and Emergency service.

Although I list below some of my specialisms, it may be useful to know that evidence consistently points to the relationships between client and therapist as being more important in meeting aims than finding a therapist that has worked with a particular issue before. So, feel free to contact me and discuss if you don't see what you are looking for below. I'm also very comfortable to say when I don't think I'm the one to help!

• Communication
• Stress
• Work-related issues
• Relationships
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss
• Domestic abuse

Please contact me if you have any other questions or to discuss these.

• Telehealth Course (online therapy)
• Being with Difference (training I've facilitated)
• Neurobiology of Love and Trust
• Polyvagal Theory
• Race and Mental Health (training I've facilitated)
• Couples Therapy
• Group Facilitation and Empowerment
• Addiction and Dependency

Articles/Publications

• Black women, leadership and the therapy profession (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
• Making Ourselves Known (Therapy Today magazine)
• When Friendship Falters (Planet Mindful magazine)
• We all benefit when the roaring two year old turns into a roaring, assertive young adult (Therapy Today magazine)
• Film Review: Mad to be Normal (World Cultural Psychiatry Research Review)
• Want easier days? 4 things plus an asterisk (Counselling Directory)
• Online counselling: a short and sweet beginner's guide (Counselling Directory)




Media

• How To Help A Friend With Anxiety When You're Struggling Yourself (HuffPost UK, November 2020)
• Hopelessness Is A Heavy Feeling. Here Are 5 Ways To Help It Pass (HuffPost UK, July 2020)
• There's A Reason Why Socialising Feels So Exhausting Right Now (HuffPost UK, July 2020)
• Mother dearest: 20 ways to love your mum (The Observer Magazine, March 2020)
• Anxiety and Coronavirus: tips and strategies to help you cope (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, March 2020)
• Seasonal affective disorder: how to bring some light to the dark days of winter (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, December 2019)
• Interview (Welldoing.org, March 2019)
• Review of an online session with me (BBC, May 2017)
• Working to end violence against women (East London Lines newspaper, November 2016)