The journey that brought me to you…

A serene natural landscape with a stone pathway along a river, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, with the sun setting or rising behind distant mountains, under a partly cloudy sky. Overlaid text reads 'Growing Therapies - Nurture, Heal, Thrive'.

After a series of redundancies offered an unexpected pause, I finally returned to an age‑old calling — one that had lived quietly in the background while life, work, and raising a family together took centre stage. In May 2018, on my last day of work, I chose a different path. I retrained as a counsellor, committed fully to the work I had always felt drawn to, and despite the challenges of COVID, I have now been an accredited counsellor for three years.

My roots in this field go back much further. We have been married for 45 years being parents to four children, although asking my partner she would say 5 children.My earliest training was as a marriage counsellor with the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council (now Marriage Care). I also created and ran engaged‑couples courses within my parish and supported similar programmes through CMAC — work that shaped my understanding of relationships, communication, and the quiet courage it takes to build a life together. It remains an area I may choose to specialise in again.

Today, my practice is grounded in lived experience, professional training, and a deep belief that change is possible at any stage of life. I offer a space where people can explore, heal, and reconnect with themselves — whether they are navigating relationships, transitions, or the desire to grow into a more authentic version of who they are.

Growing Therapies is about personal growth, wellbeing, and developing the skills and resilience needed to live a more fulfilling life. It reflects the idea that therapy is not only about addressing difficulties but also about helping people flourish, build confidence, expand their interests, and make positive changes that support their mental and emotional wellbeing. Alongside traditional approaches, there is increasing interest in developing talking therapies that encourage self-reflection, personal responsibility, and practical strategies for growth.

For me, this commitment to growth extends beyond my professional practice into my everyday life. I regularly engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) not only to enhance my knowledge and skills but also ensuring that I continue to learn and develop as a practitioner.

I also run marriage preparation courses, supporting couples as they build strong foundations for healthy relationships. Outside of work, I practise calligraphy, which provides a creative and mindful outlet, helping me cultivate patience, focus, and self-expression.

Researching / Studying the following currently:

Accredited Course -Couples Counselling and Theory , Single Session Therapy, Trauma based therapy, EFT, Religious Scrupulosity

Looking at developing Skills in Calligraphy and Stained Glass that go to help me stay calm and collected.

These activities reflect my belief that personal growth comes from continually challenging ourselves, exploring new interests, nurturing our strengths, and actively doing things that help us become the best version of ourselves.