I have worked in health, social care and mental health services for over twenty years and have been in private practice as a counsellor for the past seven. Throughout my career, one thing has remained constant: a deep respect and appreciation for people whose minds experience the world in ways that don’t always fit neatly into what society considers “typical” ( whatever that means!)
My journey with neurodiversity began at nineteen when I worked as a Learning Support Assistant supporting a young boy with ADHD and autism in a primary school.
From that point on, neurodiversity became a thread that ran through much of my work.
Over the years, I have worked in specialist mental health services including eating disorders and gender identity. Time and again, I noticed how often neurodiversity sat alongside the difficulties people were experiencing. This deepened my interest in understanding the relationship between identity, mental health, self-acceptance and the ways we navigate a world that isn’t always designed with neurodivergent minds, in mind.
My interest is also personal. For much of my life, I felt different without fully understanding why. It wasn’t until my late thirties that I discovered I had inattentive ADHD alongside other neurodivergent traits. While there was an initial period of grief and reflection about what might have been different had I known sooner, there was also relief. It helped me make sense of my experiences and gave me a deeper understanding of myself.
More importantly, it reinforced something I had always felt in my work: there is no one right way to think, feel, learn or exist. We are all individuals, shaped by our experiences, strengths, challenges and stories.
My approach to therapy is much like my approach to anyone!
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all way of being.
Instead, I enjoy working creatively and finding an approach that feels right for each individual. Whether that means exploring practical strategies, making sense of emotions, understanding patterns or simply having a space where you can be yourself without judgement, we will work together to find what is most helpful for you.
Outside of work, I am a mum to two wonderful children, an enthusiastic gardener and the proud owner of three cats. I love music, film, creativity anything 90’s related and puppets! and I believe that curiosity, humour and imagination can be just as important in therapy as insight and reflection.
Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’ve spent a lifetime feeling misunderstood or trying to fit yourself into spaces that never quite felt right.
I get it! I look forward to working with you
