We all dissociate sometimes, perhaps you took a journey from A to B and do not recall all of the journey. Sometimes dissociation is more problematic. Our sense of self, our thoughts, feelings and memories can become disconnected, so it becomes hard to access memories or feel grounded in our identity. This might be caused by trauma where we have disconnected from the situation in order to survive. There are five types of dissociation.

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Trauma is not reserved to military personnel; trauma also happens in families and relationships. Sadly, growing up with an alcoholic or abusive parent, sexual assault or witnessing domestic violence in the family all leave traumatic traces in our lives. Developmental trauma, that is trauma experienced in our childhoods often impacts us later in life.

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Loss is inevitable for all of us as we progress through life. Dealing with the death of a loved one can bring up feelings of deep sadness, confusion and even anger. Sometimes grief lifts over time and sometimes it can still cause upset many years later. Grief is not linear; it affects us all in different ways and can resurface when we least expect it.

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Family dynamics can be complex and challenging, often deeply affecting our emotional well-being and mental health. Issues such as communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, parental alienation, or differing values can create tension and strain within family relationships.

These challenges may stem from parenting struggles, sibling rivalry, alcoholism, abuse, or narcissistic behavior. Therapy offers a supportive environment where you can explore and address these difficulties. It provides a safe space to come to terms with poor parental treatment, understand its impact on your life, and find ways to heal.

Additionally, therapy can help you develop strategies to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and, importantly, establish healthy boundaries to protect yourself from further harm. By working together, we can empower you to navigate these complexities, fostering healthier and more fulfilling relationships, and enhancing your overall well-being.

Sexual abuse is defined as any type of sexual activity which is unwanted. It includes rape, being touched sexually without your permission, being coerced or exploited into sexual activity, it also includes having intimate images of yourself shared or posted online without your permission or receiving unsolicited explicit images (sexting).

People who have experienced sexual abuse often feel unable to share their experiences with others. Being able to talk, perhaps for the first time about painful experiences is possible in counselling. Sexual abuse can happen at any age.

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Bullying behaviour might include being teased in a manner that is hurtful, being humiliated or put down without thought for your feelings, being ignored, intimidated or threatened whether explicitly or implicitly. It might occur in your workplace, in your relationships or in other areas of our lives such as online via social media (cyberbullying).

It can leave us feeling isolated and alone. Perhaps you experienced bullying in childhood and the experience still remains with you, or you are supporting your own child through a bullying experience. Speaking out about your experience gives you the opportunity to feel supported and heard so that you can process your feelings.

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Shame is a social emotion, it is often present in people who have experienced bullying, trauma or abuse. When shame is used to humiliate and degrade it can be experienced as overwhelming and unbearable. Shame can lead people to be fearful and hide.

Seeking counselling to work through feelings of shame gives you the chance to grieve the harm that was done to you.

The added challenges of peri-menopause, menopause, and early menopause on women is very often underestimated. Symptoms, and their impact, seem to vary between women, with many feeling deeply debilitated, whilst others seem to sail through the transition.

Perhaps you are mourning the loss of your childbearing years.  Finding the lack of sleep affecting your working life. Or even finding your moods difficult to manage. This sometimes brutal reminder of ageing can be difficult to manage and women are notorious for not talking about it with their friends and family.

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Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Most people go through periods of feeling low but depression is marked by periods of persistent sadness which might last for weeks or months. People can feel sad or empty, they might lose interest in daily activities. In some cases people may think about suicide.

Symptoms of depression also include difficulties sleeping, or even sleeping too much, anxiety, anger, unexplained physical symptoms such as migraines and muscle pain, changes in eating, for example overeating or food avoidance.

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Anxiety is one of the most common psychological problems for which people seek counselling. Symptoms include worry, panic, social and health anxiety, agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Counselling helps you consider what the anxiety might be trying to tell you and why it is present at the moment.

If you have a constant feeling of anxiety or feel like a panic attack is just around the corner, counselling can help.

Is it increasingly affecting your life?

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To lose a friend or relative by suicide is tragic and can feel complicated and confusing. Very often coming as a complete shock without warning signs. The shock experienced when a loss by suicide is experienced can be intensely painful and enduring. It is not uncommon to have conflicting feelings of abandonment, rejection, betrayal and anger.

The profound sense of loss felt around suicide may linger and hurt for a considerable period of time. Questions are very often left unanswered. It is not unusual for those left behind to feel responsible in some way for the death, what could they have done differently, what should they have noticed.

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I am particularly interested in helping individuals navigate the challenges and difficulties associated with high-control religious environments and spiritually abusive faith communities. I recognise that while spiritual or religious beliefs can be vital to some people’s well-being, they can also contribute to life’s struggles for others. No matter your experiences or beliefs, I will provide a space of acceptance and warmth.

My goal is to support you in understanding and processing your experiences in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner. Whether your spiritual journey has been a source of comfort or conflict, I am here to listen and help you find your path toward healing. By offering a safe and supportive environment, I hope to foster a sense of trust and openness, allowing you to explore your feelings and find peace amidst your struggles.

• • Affairs in your relationship
  • Breakups as a result of betrayal

Betrayal is a common topic that comes up in counselling. Often it is not an affair that is the main issue but rather the betrayal of trust and the deception that hurts so deeply. Trusting a partner again after trust has been shattered is very difficult.

People liken the experience to a bereavement or loss, the relationship has lost its firm ground and both individuals can find it difficult to reconnect. The betrayed partner may have suspected there was something not quite right for some time, with the guilty partner playing down or denying the problem.

Perhaps the betrayal is around money, debt or gambling rather than an affair. The hurt and loss of trust is just as deep and hurtful.

Counselling after a betrayal in a relationship will help you work out your thoughts and feelings so you can rebuild your life, and your relationship, or recover from a separation.

Work stress and anxiety are increasingly common in today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments. Whether you are struggling with an overwhelming workload, tight deadlines, difficult colleagues, or a lack of support, these pressures can significantly impact your mental health and overall well-being. Persistent stress can lead to burnout, feelings of helplessness, and a decline in your motivation or productivity. Work-related anxiety can cause sleepless nights, feelings of inadequacy, and even physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues.

Therapy can help you address the sources of work stress, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and regain a sense of balance. If you feel stuck in your career, unsure about your direction, or overwhelmed by your professional responsibilities, I can support you as you work through these challenges. Together, we can explore your career aspirations, identify obstacles, and build a plan for progression and personal growth. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, transitioning to a new role, or seeking to improve your work-life balance, therapy offers a safe space to help you clarify your goals, reduce stress, and increase confidence in your professional journey.