Sexual Abuse Counselling in Aldermaston

My particular interests are: helping men and women who have suffered trauma, from mental, physical and sexual abuse; and working with couples - around commmunication and relationship issues. Providing a safe, supportive space, I employ a Relational Approach, using the unique therapeutic relationship between me and each client as a way for us to mutually understand the personal dynamics of each person - how they interact with themselves, and with the world - and to help facilitate personal change. Through our therapeutic relationship we can help change patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour causing pain and distress.

With a loud voice, life sometimes cranks up the volume of what already feels overwhelming. Magnifying an already tense and intense situation, leaving you pondering on how you used to manage before all this. Yet, despite your best efforts to stem their flow, fraught thoughts and debilitating feelings have began to spill over into and onto other areas of your life. It feels like challenging situations scream for your attention. You wonder to yourself how much more of this you can take before you flip the table of your life over. You've taken stock of your support system. Nobody available to talk. Who will listen to me, you wonder....

We can all at times experience life as challenging and stressful. Clients contact me for a variety of reasons including:partners of childhood sexual abuse survivors, anxiety, work stress, bereavement, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loss of direction as well as wellbeing for men. Couples also come to my practice. Some come to improve how they communicate, some wish to find a way through their current difficulties and to find a way forward, some wish to separate with compassion and understanding, whereas others come to keep their communication open via couple tune up sessions after the main therapy has ended.

I am a qualified counsellor offering therapy on a one to one basis. I offer a confidential space to explore your thoughts and feelings. I work with both short term and long term clients. We go at a pace that suits you. I am a college lecturer, teaching counselling which allows me to be robust in many theories. I use a combination of these theories to support my clients. I have been in the media for my achievements working with hoarding behaviours. More recently, I have been in the media, TV, newspapers and radio for my campaign to raise awareness of Blue Spot. I am studying my degree in Criminology and Psychology.

Are you feeling stressed, unhappy, or does life just seem too challenging at the moment? ​ Do you find it difficult to find or keep happy fulfilling relationships? ​ Would you like to be able to talk about your difficulties in a calm and confidential space? ​I am a fully qualified and experienced psychotherapist and counsellor, and I run my private practice from a comfortable and safe room in my home in Crowthorne, Berkshire. From my previous role as a rape and sexual abuse counsellor, I have considerable experience in working with clients who may have experienced trauma either in childhood or as an adult.

Are you a teenager or a young person who is struggling with emotions and thoughts that are making life difficult? Or maybe you're finding it difficult to deal with something traumatic that has happened to you? Perhaps you're a parent, worried about your teenager or young adult? I'm a qualified integrative counsellor and psychotherapist helping teenagers, young people and parents to overcome trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. I provide a safe, calm and supportive space to allow you or your child to work through what is causing difficulties and find a way forward.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may have something specific that you are looking to change or gain help with. It may be that you're feeling stuck, experiencing feelings of depression, anxiety, uncertainty and/or feeling overwhelmed. You may have or are still experiencing a traumatic time in your life. Maybe you are looking for an opportunity to get to know yourself better. Counselling allows you to do all of these things, it is a time and space for you. It is an invitation to escape distractions, pressures and your external demands and explore who you are.

Not being accepted for your full identity, experiencing the turmoil of family conflict or disconnection, or healing from abuse may have lead to you feeling confused, anxious, angry, ashamed or frustrated, or just completely fed up. You might wonder if you're good enough, or "normal". I am particularly passionate about helping people who feel like an 'other', with a profound sense of difference from family, friends or community. I have professional and lived experience and understanding of the LGBT+ community, neurodiverse individuals and survivors of parental abuse and neglect, as well as sexual abuse.

I work with adults, couples and young people, and with those experiencing a range of various difficulties including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, relationships, self-esteem, identity issues and grief. I also have experience working with survivors of trauma and sexual abuse, and the distressing ongoing effects this can have on everyday life. I also work with LGBTQ+ and GSRD (gender, sexuality and relationship diverse) individual and people who are questioning their gender identity, sexual orientation or relationship styles.

In my work with Adults, I have worked with a wide range of issues, including, anxiety, family relationships, sexual abuse, grief and loss, self esteem, and trauma.

My Clients over the last 18 years have ranged from having simple symptoms ( i.e. sleep disturbances, anxiety about interviews or social anxiety ) to severe symptoms (i.e. severe depression, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, Borderline Personality or sexual abuse). My clients are looking for tools that will help them reduce or eliminate those symptoms but they are also wanting to develop long term functional habits that will help them lead a healthier life. Most of my clients are highly functional but they are struggling with emotional issues in their relationships with childhood abuse, addictions, fears, self-esteem and others.

I can help you with issues that are difficult to talk about, including anxiety, depression, low self esteem, bereavement, trauma, sexual abuse, autism and ADHD. Some issues are more difficult to define. They can be more like: ‘Life feels really difficult’, ‘I wish I felt happier’, ‘I’ve been feeling really low’ or ‘I feel like I’m going mad’. I am genuinely interested to understand more about you and your unique experience. No problem is too trivial or too shocking. I will listen to what you want to achieve through counselling and support you to live your best life, whatever that may mean for you.

I’ve over 20 years experience of working in the social care industry. I am a BA (Hons) degree Level 6 qualified humanistic person-centred counsellor. I have experience in blended work, working with domestic abuse, trauma, anxiety, sexual abuse and low mood amongst other presenting life challenges. My work is client- centred and thrive towards other approaches when working 1:1 with clients to help suit the individual needs. I also work with substance misuse, individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug misuse following the 12 step programme using solution focused therapy.

Reaching out for help can be tough but it’s an important first step to feeling better. You don't have to cope alone, I'm a fully qualified counsellor offering a place to explore, understand and share your difficulties. I work with adult clients who are struggling with various mental and emotional challenges. This includes anxiety, low self-esteem, work stress, relationship and confidence issues. Many clients may not be aware of why they are struggling but often it can be attributed to a trauma which may have taken place either recently or in the past. I specialise in supporting clients understand and move through their symptoms.

Contemplating counselling or psychotherapy is a daunting prospect, the fact that you are reading this suggests that you have taken the first steps to making sense of feelings and experiences that are troubling you.

Modern life is filled with various trials and tribulations, psychotherapy is a tool to help you navigate many challenges and uncertainty in order to live your best possible life. One of my goals as your therapist is to help you understand yourself better. I do this by shedding light on things that may be out of your awareness, supporting you in unravelling and making sense of any difficulties and working with you to discover your path to wellness.

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by life,  feelings of anxiety and depression disrupting our wellbeing, making us feel less than acceptable to ourselves and others.  Difficult or traumatising experiences in the past can leave us feeling stuck, alone, fearful or angry. We might be stuck in a flight/flight/freeze response blighting our ability to be in the present moment unable to lean into the people in our lives. Safely speak your truth, express you deepest feelings, learn about yourself in a safe therapeutic space where you could explore these experiences transmut trauma into wisdom and become nearer to being your best self.

There are times when we may struggle to cope or sense our life is stuck and feel powerless to change it. Taking the first steps towards finding the support and help you need is a courageous and important act, so please know that whatever issues bring you here, you will be heard. Counselling can help you to explore your inner world, make significant changes to your life and find your true self. I am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and adhere to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.