What I do...
For the last ten years or so, I have been working in counselling. I was prompted to begin training primarily by the misery I saw in the young people around me on our return to the UK after many years living abroad, in several very different countries. I wanted to try to do something to help – and I hoped to understand what is behind this crisis in wellbeing, which has only worsened over time.
Unsurprisingly, the experiences we have, the environment in which we operate and our relationships with those around us profoundly affect how we are in the world, and how we feel about ourselves. Often, what we see as 'mental illness' is a normal human reaction – or coping mechanism – for abnormal, neglectful or harmful situations. In fact, 'emotional distress' is a far better way to describe the experience of the vast majority of people seeking help.
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However, we currently take a very different approach to this. With the desire to treat 'mental illness' in the same way as physical illness, there has been a rush to 'diagnose' and label people, without adequate understanding or exploration of their history and circumstances. This can have life-long adverse consequences. At the same time, the tramlines of what is regarded as 'normal' have narrowed, leaving those who feel 'different' believing that there is 'something wrong with them'.
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With this in mind, late in 2024, I left clinical practice, to focus on researching, writing and speaking about these issues. I am now Children's Correspondent for campaign group Save Mental Health, and write a Substack on the state of childhood and family life. I am on the Steering Committee of Thoughtful Therapists.
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...About Me
I have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College in Exeter. Integrative training involves studying various different approaches to therapy, and putting together a coherent philosophy which can then be adapted to suit a person's specific needs. I was for many years a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), but resigned my membership in May 2025, in protest at the BACP's increasingly ideological stance and politicisation.
I worked as a school counsellor, supporting young people in a large academy school, until July 2023 and have worked in primary schools, with both parents and children. I have also worked on a school readiness project, preparing parents and children for school life.
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I am a qualified facilitator of the University of Melbourne's Tuning into Teens parenting programme, which builds emotional literacy and resilience in families and school environments; and a programme facilitator for Mindful Emotion Coaching, a universal, trauma-informed family coaching programme for education, health and care staff. This programme has a European Quality Award (EQA) conferred by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
I also have further training in the lasting physical, psychological and emotional effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress; the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child IDEAS Impact Framework; working with gender issues, eating disorders and other forms of self-harm; supporting bereaved children; and with boarding school issues, both current and historic.
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I firmly believe that 'relationships are not the icing on the cake - they are the cake' (Dr Dan Siegel, UCLA, 2017) and that childhood is a crucial determinant of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing throughout life. In working with emotional distress we should always ask 'what has happened to you?', rather than 'what is wrong with you?'.
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​I also have a BA (Hons) degree in History and a MA in Archaeology and Heritage Management. I worked in journalism, publishing and political analysis before undertaking counselling training.
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What I Offer
Speaking
I speak at meetings and conferences on the importance of childhood and family life, young people's mental and emotional wellbeing, and my experiences as a counsellor working with young people.
Community
I am involved in setting up opportunities for real life connection for parents and children – toddler groups and other settings for meeting within the community.
Writing
Primarily I research and write about all aspects of child and adolescent wellbeing, and the wider issues raised by this – family, school, community, society and politics.
