Professional Background & Training

Professional Accreditation

I am a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist. I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am held to their high ethical and professional standards. I trained at the University of Central Lancashire, the LGBT Foundation in Manchester and Manchester Mind.

My Professional Background

My counselling and psychotherapeutic work is informed by 14 years of work experience providing emotional and practical support to people and communities, with a particular focus on supporting the marginalised. Prior to starting my own private practice, I worked as a Trans Advocacy Officer, LGBT helpline worker, mental health mentor, disability support worker and youth worker in diverse LGBT Charity and University settings.  You can find out more about my background working with LGBTQ+ / Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diverse people here. You can find full details of my qualifications, placements and work experience below.

Continuing Professional Development

2021

  • Advanced Clinical Skills in Compassion Focused Therapy (Compassionate Mind Foundation)

2020

  • Pluralistic Therapy Training (Mick Cooper)

  • Relational Depth Training (Mick Cooper)

  • Existential Therapy Training (Mick Cooper)

  • Cultural Competence Training (Nafsiyat)

  • Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (Compassionate Mind Foundation)

  • Creatively Processing Shame ( a workshop for white therapists hosted by the Radical Therapist Network)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy for Shame Based Difficulties in Sexual Minorities (Compassionate Mind Foundation)

2019

  • Trans Regenerative Activism: Resilience and Anti-Burnout Training for Trans Activists (Ulex)

  • Transformative Collaboration: Working Collaboratively as Trans Activists (Ulex)

2018

  • Suicide Prevention Awareness (Manchester City Council)

  • Advocacy Training (Advent)

2017

  • Child safeguarding

  • Adult Safeguarding (Salford CVS)

  • Data Protection Training

‘We’re Still Here’ Conference, 8th September 2018

On 8th September, 2018, myself (representing LGBT Foundation) and Vic Valentine from the Scottish Trans Alliance delivered a presentation entitled ‘Non-Binary People and the Law’ at the ‘We’re Still Here’ Conference, which took place in London. The Conference was designed to amplify trans voices and highlight the needs of trans and/ or non-binary communities, during the run up to the Gender Recognition Act Consultation deadline of 22nd October 2018. Dawn Butler, the Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, spoke on the topic of intersectionality at the event. You can find out more, and see Dawn Butler speak, by following the link below.

Qualifications

  • 2022: Diploma in Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity, Pink Therapy (NCS accredited)

  • 2018: Postgraduate Diploma, Integrative Psychotherapy, University of Central Lancashire, Distinction (BACP accredited)

  • 2011: Master of the Arts, Sexual Dissidence in Literature and Culture, University of Sussex, Distinction

  • 2006: Certificate, Counselling Skills (level 3), Manchester Adult Education Service, pass

  • 2005: Certificate, Counselling Skills (level 2), Manchester Adult Education Service, pass

  • 2002: Bachelor of the Arts, Literary Studies and Sciences (Psychology), University of Manchester, 2:1

Professional Experience

  • 2018- 2020: Trans Advocacy Officer, LGBT Foundation

  • 2019: Volunteer Counsellor, MIND

  • 2018-2019: Volunteer Counsellor, LGBT Foundation

  • 2016-2018: Helpline Worker, LGBT Foundation

  • 2016-2018: Youth Group Volunteer, Gendered Intelligence

  • 2012: Helpline Worker, Broken Rainbow

  • 2012-2014: Mental Health Mentor, University College London

  • 2007-2016: Student Disability Support Worker, Various Universities