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 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. 

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 qualified as an EMDR practitioner in 2018. In 2020 I trained in Attachment Focused EMDR and in 2023 I also trained in IFS informed EMDR. I trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems) in 2025 and I am now a Level 1 IFS practitioner.  I am accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) since 2012. 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 charity associated with the Samaritans. 

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 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.  

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 that our past has an effect on how we are today. I am quite an interactive as a counsellor and will discuss with you the best treatment plan for you. I believe you hold the knowledge to heal, and I will help you access that.  

 I have specific training and interest in working with trauma and PTSD. This could be a prolonged trauma such as childhood abuse or neglect, domestic abuse, bullying, wartime experiences or a one-off trauma such as an accident, a death of a loved one, an attack or natural disaster. 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 use Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma and other conditions such as low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. This work needs to be done in a safe and measured way, so you do 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. Please see the section on “Specific Topics” to find more information on this. 

I am passionate about IFS (Internal Family Systems) and integrate this in my work with trauma and other conditions. This is a compassionate and non-pathologising therapy that helps us look at how you got to be the way you are today and how that can change. In IFS we believe there is nothing wrong with you. To the contrary, at your core are healthy, but we look at what happened to you to understand why you feel and think the way you do now. Please see “Specific Topics” for more information on IFS.

 

In Person or Online Therapy 

 

I offer in person or online therapy. I have good experience providing both. There are times during the year when I only offer online therapy. Together, we will decide the best approach for you. EMDR and IFS are both highly effective either way. More information on these modalities can be found in Special Topics.