About Me
Find out more about my ethos, qualifications, experience and background.
My ethos
I work slightly differently with each person I meet because I adapt my counselling style depending on what a person wants to think about and get out of our meetings. I see each person as unique although many things that happen in life are not. We all experience loss, change and uncertainty at different times in our lives. Things happen which are unfair and we have to cope. Relationships can be supportive but can be sources of stress as well. People are very resourceful and find ways of adapting.
I believe mental discomfort stems from:
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the messages about ourselves which we receive and internalise from our relationships in our childhood or later in life
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the patterns we develop of relating to ourselves and others
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things that happen which affect us (both in the past and ongoing)
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the beliefs we hold about other people and the world
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what choices are available to us.
Sometimes we get stuck in patterns of thinking and behaving, which perhaps were once helpful but aren’t any more. We build our ideas about others and ourselves based on our past relationships and experiences, and sometimes our view of how things might be - what we deserve, what we’re worth - gets muddled.
People respond in different ways to difficult situations and find ways of coping with the feelings they bring up. Sometimes these might be attempts not to feel and may cause other problems in life - like dissociating, using drugs or alcohol, over or under-eating, hurting themselves or others. I won’t condemn someone for how they feel and how they cope, nor will I think there is something innately wrong with them. I work with these types of behaviours by helping a person make sense of why they are doing them and - if they want to - consider how else they might be able to look after themselves and get their needs met. I believe that everyone has the capacity to change and to grow.

My commitment to people who identify as LGBTQI+
I particularly welcome people who identify as LGBTQI+ (aka ‘GSRD’ or Gender Sexuality and Relationship Diversity). I am fully committed to the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy in the UK and as such I do not offer or endorse so-called ‘conversion therapy’. Instead, I seek to offer counselling and supervision which supports people to explore, validate and integrate the different parts of themselves. Some people seek counselling to support themselves with exploring their LGBTQI+ identity, while others are instead looking for support to address other challenges in their lives (like navigating change or difficult relationships with others) and their LGBTQI+ identity is just part of the picture of who they are. Either is totally fine - I won’t attempt to pathologise someone’s consensual identity expression or lifestyle choices. I aim to meet someone where they’re at with respect, acceptance and understanding.

My professional journey
I grew up in the north of England, listening to people’s stories, and I have always been curious about what makes people tick. As a teenager, I was acutely aware of the struggles of others around me and I became interested in mental health. My first ever job was calling bingo for some of the long-term residents at the local psychiatric hospital - a memorable few years!
I went on to volunteer on helplines supporting people who were in crisis and I worked in the community offering advice to people who were seeking work and volunteer opportunities while living with debilitating mental ill health.

I trained as a counsellor in London (UK) and saw young people at a community centre called the Wimbledon Guild in South West London. I counselled university students at the University of Roehampton and adults of all ages and backgrounds through the charity Mind in Croydon. I also helped to run groups, giving people psychoeducation and support with issues like anxiety and anger management.
In 2013 I began counselling in schools. I set up and managed counselling services in primary and secondary schools across London (UK) with the national charity Place2Be. I developed a passion for working creatively with younger people, helping them to express themselves through artwork and play as well as with words. I enjoyed supporting parents, carers and teachers to reflect on and develop their relationships with children and young people in order to support them better.
I set up Paper Plane Counselling in the UK in 2018 to offer counselling to children, young people and adults locally (at the time) in the City of Hull. I also supervised other therapists and professionals in related fields too. I branched out to offer counselling and supervision online across the UK and overseas.
In 2023 I moved from the UK to Aotearoa New Zealand and brought my clinical work to a temporary close. After taking some time to settle in, I set up Paper Plane Counselling again, reincarnated as an NZ company. Now I work with people locally in Taranaki as well as online across Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Kingdom and in other countries too.
Sometimes people ask me why I chose the name Paper Plane Counselling. Check out my blog if you're curious to know the answer!
My qualifications
Master of Arts degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy | University of East London (UK) | 2011
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP accredited) | University of East London (UK) | 2009
BACP endorsed Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision | Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) (UK) | 2016
Certified Cyber Therapist |
Online Therapy Institute | 2020
Certified Clinical Supervisor |
Online Therapy Institute | 2021
I am continually learning and developing my practice in a wide range of ways. Most recently I have completed the GSRD Essentials training through Pink Therapy. This has given me a comprehensive introduction to key theory when working therapeutically and affirmatively with people from the LGBTQ+ community.
My professional memberships
I have been an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred) since 2012.
Since moving to Aotearoa New Zealand, I have registered as a Provisional Member with the New Zealand Association for Counsellors.
I am committed to ethical practice and abide by the BACP’s Ethical Framework and NZAC’s Code of Ethics.
Other things you might want to know about me
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I read widely - I'm one of those people that's probably not seen the film but has read the book.
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I love learning languages and get a thrill out of understanding the layers of meanings in words. Since moving to Aotearoa New Zealand, I've been enjoying learning Te Reo Māori and the insight this gives into the philosophy and world-view of the Māori people.
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I did an undergraduate degree in Ancient History and remain fascinated by what different cultures are like to live within; the rules and versions of what is ‘normal’; our differences and our similarities.
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I have travelled across six continents and I believe this has helped me develop a curious and non-judgmental mindset towards the different ways people live their lives.
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I love being outdoors and am excited by recent research into the links between the natural world and our mental health.
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I have a pretty dry sense of humour - something you may or may not notice when we chat!
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If it’s helpful, please feel free to take a look at my LinkedIn biography and message me if there is something specific you want to know.