In my practice counselling is a collaborative experience whereby myself and the young person explore and think together about their current struggles. I actively listen, seek to deeply understand and validate experiences, provide observations and create opportunities for reflection. This process allows the individual to gain insight into their behaviour and relational patterns, identify coping strategies and foster personal growth.

Many well-intentioned conversations between parents and their children can result in tension or conflict due to the inherent power dynamic and the parent being ultimately responsible. Adolescent counselling allows for freedom of discussion with the knowledge that the adult in the room will not be making any decisions, thus lowering defences and generating more engaging and productive conversations.

Once emotions and feelings are acknowledged and understood, we can learn to manage them and choose how or when to respond (not react) to difficult relationships and emotionally charged situations. For some the act of sharing private and personal thoughts will be a new experience. Communicating our thoughts with others requires a certain amount of vulnerability and this is dependent on feeling safe in the relationship. The building of the counselling relationship is no different and I acknowledge the leap of faith required in this process.

As an integrative therapist, I draw upon multiple modalities and theories to help my clients be compassionate to themselves and be curious about who they are. The self awareness journey can feel uncomfortable before it creates clarity and empowerement. My therapy framework is informed by psychodynamic, person- centered and systemic models and is influenced by attachment and inter- cultural work.

I offer open- ended, long-term and short-term counselling to suit the needs of my clients and their families.