I am a skilled and experienced Therapist and Counsellor, able to deal with many kinds of emotional and psychological troubles. My aim is to get you back to happy, healthy living as quickly as possible and not to engage you in long term therapy, if possible.

I am a member of the Human Givens Institute (HGI), I hold the Human Givens Post Graduate Diploma (the HGI professional assessment of competence) and am a recognised Human Givens Therapeutic Practitioner (HG. Dip.P.). I am currently working towards the MA in Human Givens therapy. I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and follow its ethical guidelines of respect and confidentiality. I am also a member of the BABCP (British Association of Behavoural Cognitive Psychotherapy). I hold a BA (Hons) degree in Humanities, and am currently studying for a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology. I am a member of The British Psychological Society (BPS). I am also a Member of the European Therapy Studies Institute.

My therapy is guided by the concepts, principles and methodologies of Human Givens, which is a solution-focussed, goal-orientated, person-centred brief approach to therapy. It is a combination of proven old and modern techniques and theories, integrating ancient yogic practices and psychotherapeutic theories, the most modern understandings of how the brain works and our fundamental emotional needs and resources. You can find out more about Human Givens by clicking on http://www.hgi.org.uk

I bring to each session many years of life experience. I have been married four times, I have an adult son and step-children, I have had over 20 years experience as a journalist and writer, I have been an entrepreneur and a business-person, worked in many jobs and travelled extensively. I have been round the block a few times. I find that I have personal experience of many problems which clients present to me, including grief, anger, anxiety, depression, obsession and addiction, and much more besides. I have lived life and experienced many relationships and friendships, experienced life's ups and downs, and find that I can relate to my clients' temporary difficulties.

Hence my saying: You can't tell me anything that I haven't heard before ...' so please feel that you can come to me to talk about anything that is troubling you, or your feelings. I am here to help you.

I am based in two places: From mid-October to mid-April I live abroad.

From mid-April to mid-October, I am based in Penzance, Cornwall.

I am available for Therapy sessions in the UK between April and October each year, and offer support by email at any time.

It is important to understand that Human Givens Therapy does not usually involve long-term sessions. Rather, I will see someone twice, three or six times, depending on the problem, and once the client is feeling better, I will remain in the background, like a doctor or a dentist, until the next time the client needs help. Then, they can come back to me and we can avoid the process of taking historical information again. Each session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. I also work with clients who have complicated and complex problems, and suffer from more than one problem, such as depression AND anxiety, and OCD, and anything else as well. For these clients more sessions may be required, but the same principle applies: I aim to get you back to happy healthy living as quickly as possible, and am committed to keeping therapy brief.

A typical session will start with me listening to your situation and feelings, asking some questions, and then talking you through a relaxation with visualisation and perhaps some metaphorical work. It is highly effective, does not dwell on the past and helps you move forward. I have some excellent results and a high success rate. One of the fundamental principles of Human Givens is that clients should leave even the first session feeling better than when they arrived.

Previous clients who are now living calm, contented lives came to me experiencing one or more of the following issues: bereavement, abuse, domestic violence, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, PTSD, OCD, bipolar/manic depression, Asperger's Syndrome, borderline personality disorders, and overall feelings of poor mental health.