Supervision

A Bit About Me and My Experience

I began my career as a mental health nurse, initially working in a psychiatric intensive care unit before transitioning to a community mental health team. Subsequently, I joined the IAPT Psychological Therapies in primary care, where I trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). After working as a senior psychological therapist within the NHS, I have spent the last five years in private practice.

Clinical Training and Interests

My clinical training and special interests centre around neurodiversity, particularly focusing on autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. With a personal understanding of the psychological effects of these differences, I have worked in a specialised psychological therapy pathway for individuals insured by AXA who are undergoing assessments for autism and ADHD. For the past four years, I have provided therapy under this contract with a company who also provides specialised supervision. Additionally, I have completed the ‘national autism trainer program’ by Anna Freud and am scheduled to take two courses early next year to become a certified assessor for diagnosing autism and ADHD.

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and have extensive experience working with trauma and adjustment disorders. This work often intersects with my experience in long-term health conditions, as many individuals with trauma histories also face somatic illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. My training in long-term health conditions proves valuable when assisting individuals recovering from accidents that create life barriers.

During my time in the NHS IAPT setting, I trained in CBT for long-term health conditions. From 2021 to 2023, I served on the BABCP long-term health conditions special interest group committee, helping establish and present their reflective practice groups for BABCP members.

Additional Areas of Expertise

I also address anxiety and fear-related issues, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, social anxiety, panic attacks, health anxieties, general anxiety, and phobias. Recently, I have begun incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy as a creative, innovative method for habituation. I find it to be an effective, low-cost tool for supporting individuals in making behavioural changes and boosting their confidence in various scenarios.

In 2021, I completed training to deliver CBT to young people aged 12 and above. Since then, my referral intake has expanded to include both adults and those aged 12+, allowing me to deliver CBT remotely via video calls and in-person locally. My future goal is to pursue the UK EMDR child and young person additional training, enabling me to include this service for young people as well.

Background and Creative Approach

Before my clinical career, I worked in theatre, focusing on corporate role-play training scenarios for police, medical simulations, and corporate training events, alongside teaching youth theatre. I am passionate about utilising the creative arts—including improvised theatrical techniques—to promote wellness, tackle stigma and increase community support, and enhance understanding of psychological theory. My expertise lies in creative workshops, where I employ theatrical forms like forum theatre, playback, and applied improvisation. Additionally, I have developed and facilitated workshops on narrative work, empowering individuals to share their stories of stigma and trauma through the arts and storytelling.