About Me
Qualifications:
BA (hons) Integrative Counselling,
University of Worcester
IFS Level One, IFS Institute
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In-depth study into Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing and the work of Peter Levine and Gabor Maté led me to Internal Family Systems therapy.
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After qualifying as a therapist, it took me a while to find my feet and to find the right type of therapy that would suit me.
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Internal Family Systems therapy was the right choice for me and I've also had extensive experience of it in my own personal therapy.
Before I was a therapist, I served over 25 years in the UK military as a Royal Marines Commando; (I only share this with you because it's part of my life journey). I saw operational service and close combat in various places throughout the world, but towards the end of my career, I was hanging on by my fingernails. I believed that everyone else could see that I was no longer the genuine article; I was exhausted from the pretence.​
When I finally left the Marines, I experienced a complete meltdown. The wheels fell of my trolley and I imploded- physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically. I was diagnosed with PTSD. My process of healing started when I allowed myself to face my traumas. ​
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Most, if not everyone, will experience trauma - it’s a part of life.
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As I began to get curious, I started to learn about myself. I would’ve been happy to blame all of my trauma on combat experiences, but the deeper I explored, the further back I went toward childhood. I learnt that parts of me had adapted to help me survive in childhood, and were still performing these survival roles.
The difference now was that those survival adaptions were no longer serving me but causing me difficulties. Pain and suffering holds learning for us. I turned my pain into a strength and I now use that strength as a therapist. So I am fixed now, right? No, it doesn't work like that. Humans are messy; I still have struggles in life just like everyone else. But by knowing myself and my parts, I'm more aware as a therapist. I can spot when a part of me is getting in the way of your therapy process. What I once saw as my weakness is now my strength.​
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We now understand that trauma is not what happened to us, it’s the way that we deal with what happened to us. It’s the way our bodies and minds respond to overwhelming situations.
It's a real privilege for me to guide someone as they heal themself, and to help parts that were overwhelmed at some point in their life heal.
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We can't always change our situation, but we can change how we respond
to our situation; and that comes from within.
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Pain, struggle and crisis are very often catalysts for learning and change.
We are not defined by our achievements, but rather how we respond to the challenges we face, and how we eventually overcome them. I had to learn that humans don’t thrive and grow in isolation, but in connection with people, animals and the world.
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I’d be happy to be alongside you as a guide as you heal yourself.