A little about me - 17 November 2024
Hi, thanks for stopping by
As I’ve just set up this blog, I thought I’d tell you a little about me and my therapy and counselling work so far.
I’ve always wanted a job where I could help people, but struggled to work out what that should be. In my early teens, the idea of being a primary school teacher appealed to me. But after a while, it seemed less and less like it was the right choice for me.
I first took Psychology because I needed a fourth A-Level and it seemed interesting from the outside, and by my second year, it was definitely the way forward. After exploring options online, being a therapist was the perfect job for both ideals of using psychology and helping people.
Next, I studied Psychology at the University of Chester and loved it. The core modules gave me a great background understanding of how we’re impacted in every second of our lives by the ways we think and behave.
I chose Chester partly because of the expertise of the lecturers, which meant most of the optional modules I picked were related to mental and physical health. But also, I could have a 5 week placement in my second year, which I took as an art therapy assistant at a local hospice.
My time at Wirral Hospice St John’s was so informative and interesting, and definitely kept me on my feet as there was so much variety from one day to the next. My placement manager was incredibly supportive and arranged for me to gain experience in all departments of the centre, whilst still keeping a majority focus on the therapy.
My final year dissertation at Chester uni explored different ways in which people cope and how this is linked to stress and happiness. Whilst the methodology and practicalities of running the study were tricky (and to be honest, boring!) at times, the results were fascinating, discovering the specific nuances for different types of coping.
Following Chester, I moved back to Nottingham and decided to take on some part time work. I knew I would have to do some more training in some form to become a therapist, but I needed a break from education for a while.
Luckily my motivation increased again, and after a two year gap I started my counselling and therapy course at the University of Derby. After passing my first assignments, I started two therapy placements to get a variety of experience and help me decide what I wanted after uni. These settings allowed me to follow my goal of providing therapy to those who normally couldn’t access it.
Working at the rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse charity, Sarac helped me to understand the workings of a fundamental organisation at the centre of the community. Many clients who contacted Sarac had never confided in anyone else before, so it was a privilege to help them make sense of their past and learn ways to cope in the present.
NCT, a local, low-cost therapy service, was the perfect setting for me to see clients with a variety of reasons for therapy. I loved being able to apply the multiple therapies I’m trained in, differently to suit each client and what they needed week to week.
I’m really excited to help even more people now I’m fully set up, especially as I can see clients in a way which suits them, online or in-person (in Beeston and Aspley). I’m also eager to explore other ways I can help people with their mental health beyond counselling and therapy sessions.
I recently gave a two hour talk on mental health and daily coping to a local organisation supporting parents and carers of children with SEND. This was a great way for me to use my practical, no nonsense style with people who really need easy tips for very hectic lives. I can’t wait to see what other opportunities I may get in the future.
So, hopefully you know me a little better now and have an understanding of how I got to this point.
Keen to know more about how my therapy could help you?