My Story

I originally trained in medicine and became a doctor of internal medicine in the USA. I have lived and practiced medicine in several different countries. This has given me a great deal of experience working with people struggling with medical conditions in many different cultures. I have always been interested in the psychological aspect of physical ailments; how people with deal with medical issues and how psychological problems manifest as physical problems. What I enjoyed most about practicing medicine was getting to know my patients and their families, and working with them in a close personal way. 

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In the UK, I re-trained and received a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 2009 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Traumatology and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2016. I am accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have worked in the NHS in Richmond and Twickenham and in the charity sector since 2008. I now work in my private practice and in a local charity. 

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I am deeply committed to helping people understand why they are struggling and how they can change to lead a more fulfilling and full life. I am warm, accepting and open minded. I aim to offer a safe, comfortable space where you can explore your inner world and find a different way of being. Often we become “stuck” in beliefs and behaviours we developed for our own protection in early life but which are no longer helpful. I hope to help you shed these unhelpful ways of thinking and behaving.  

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I practice integrative counselling including person centred and psychodynamic theories. This means that I believe everyone has the ability to reach their fullest potential and I can be along-side to help in this journey. I also believe that our past has an effect on how we are today and it is important to explore that when appropriate. I am quite interactive as a counsellor and will sometimes use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques if applicable. There are some conditions where these are particularly useful and that will be assessed when we meet. 

 I have had specific training in working with trauma. This could be a prolonged trauma such as childhood abuse or neglect, domestic abuse, bullying and wartime experiences or a one off trauma such as an accident, a death of a loved one, an attack or natural disaster. Many events are considered traumatic if they have a lasting negative effect and this list is not exhaustive. To work with trauma I use specific protocols and stabilisation methods which have been proven to be effective. I also use Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma and some other conditions such as depression and anxiety. This work needs to be done in a safe and measured way so the person does not end up feeling worse. My aim is to have these traumas lose their hold over you and diminish the heightened emotions and fear associated with them.