A bit about how I work & what to expect
When we first meet, I take a broad view—looking not just at the immediate concerns, but at the wider context of your life, relationships, and history. I believe most people are doing the best they can with what they know, and that therapy can offer new perspectives, tools, and ways of relating that help move things forward. Your strengths and skills have an important place in therapy.
We’re all shaped by visible and invisible differences—our beliefs, cultures, identities, and lived experiences. Part of my role is to understand how these factors influence the way you see the world, relate to others, and define what a good life looks like for you and your family- to help us find the way forwards.
I tailor therapy to your needs, drawing from a range of evidence-based approaches, while considering your goals and particular circumstances. The models I draw on include dialogical, attachment-based, cognitive behavioural, narrative, compassion-focussed, and emotion-focused therapies. I bring creativity and playfulness to therapy with younger children, and adapt my ways of working to facilitate everyone’s participation. I also use metaphor, creativity and the power of story with adults too, when it fits!
Systemic and family therapy is an umbrella term that includes work focused on relationships between people, and between people and the wider contexts they live in—such as cultural, social, and structural systems. I also offer individual therapy across the lifespan, including individual systemic and cognitive behavioural therapy (I am BABCP registered).
Therapy is always a collaborative process — even when working with young children. No two sessions look the same. My role shifts depending on what’s needed. At times I may be a guiding partner in your journey of discovery, at other times I might offer specific skills or ideas, and sometimes I help foster deeper understanding and communication between people.
A bit about me personally…
t may or may not be important to you to know something about me. You may prefer not to know!
But if you would like to know- some of the things I love include cooking, spending time with my friends, reading a good book, running, indoor bouldering, and trying new foods! I love talking to people, having a laugh, and exploring new places- whether that’s my local area, London, the UK or abroad! I’m Australian. I love the sea, and TimTams.
Why am I sharing about myself?
I don’t follow the model of the therapist needing to be a blank slate or a mirror, for you to learn and develop from therapy. I want people coming to me to feel comfortable, and I think knowing a few things about me can help that rather than get in the way. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to make you and your family comfortable!
I want to acknowledge that all therapy is political
What I mean by this, is that the way therapy is conducted is always taking a stance on issues. Therapists need to be aware of this and critically engaging with their approach. This is part of our ethical duty. For example, if someone comes to therapy due to discrimination, and is taught coping techniques and then discharged- this is taking a stance that it is the individual’s issue to deal with rather than a societal problem. Injustice needs to be acknowledged and the possibilities of how to address this needs to be explored- alongside talk of coping. Resilience workshops in toxic workplace environments is another example of where neutral therapy can be harmful and ineffective.
If you are meeting with a therapist claiming to be neutral, that means they are going along with the status quo.
Like all therapists, I have beliefs and ideas that underpin my work.
I believe that all identities and types of relationships deserve to be accepted and celebrated. I believe that we need to look at resisting and addressing oppression and discrimination, rather than thinking about coping as the first option. I believe that every person is happier in a world which is more just and fair. I believe that the health of our environment, and us, is reciprocal. I believe violence is a social epidemic. And I believe that kind, compassionate, curious and honest dialogue is the root of social and individual change.
My qualifications
I hold a Master’s in Family & Systemic Psychotherapy (King’s College), Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (King’s College), and a Master’s of Nursing Science (University of Melbourne).
I am accredited with the UKCP and BABCP.