About Me

Background 

I am an accredited qualified counsellor and I have expertise in working with families, children and young people. I have had extensive training and experience working for West Berkshire Council with referrals from families, schools, social services and CAMHS (Children and Adolescents Mental Health Services) and have enjoyed seeing children, young people and adults go from strength to strength even in the most difficult circumstances.
I also have had professional roles in a variety of industries on innovation and change projects and I can support with stressful changes taking place in organisations.
Working with children and adults I am adaptable to empower whoever arrives through the door to feel safe to share their real feelings in whatever way suits them best.
Overall my approach is Relational and so as we get to know each other, I feel how it feels to be in my client’s shoes and see their perspective then provide a supportive relationship, so we can work through the difficulties together. In Parent-Child work I support this process with the family.

My Experience 

  • Private Practice since 2018 working with children, young people and adults with a range of difficulties. 
  • Emotional Health Worker at The Emotional Health Academy – West Berkshire Council – providing Tier 2 support to children, young people and families.
  • 1:1 and Group Therapy with Children (Play /Creative Methods) in Primary Schools;
  • 1:1 and Group Therapy in Secondary and PRU schools in the state and private sectors.
  • Emotional Support for children with Speech and Language, Learning Difficulties and Attachment Difficulties.
  • School Support and Parent-Child Work to support Looked after children,
  • Family Work to support families who are struggling with a variety of relational difficulties at home.
  • Family and Individual work for children and young people with Physical disabilities and Chronic health conditions,
  • Self-Development Workshops for Parents at the Family Hubs (what were the Children’s Centres) and in schools,
  • Self-Development Workshops and Supervision for Teachers and Pastoral Staff in schools and nurseries,
  • Consultations with schools on wider school community initiatives and programmes.
  • Team around the Child Meetings advising on how best to support a child’s emotional needs at school and providing Reports for Educational Health Care Plans.
  • Working in strategic multi-disciplinary teams and providing reports and outcome measures for governance.
  • Support Worker at Remploy – working on a variety of projects to help people with disabilities to find employment.
  • Adult Counsellor – Cotswold Counselling Agency
  • Listener at The Samaritans,
  • Child Support Worker – Bounce Back 4 Kids – Agency for children under 11 who’ve witnessed or experienced Domestic Abuse;
  • Youth Counsellor -Time2Talk Counselling Agency Newbury;
  • Youth Support Worker – STEP (Swindon Ten to Eighteen Project) – Youth Project for Children and Young People at risk of Exclusion;
  • Pets as Therapy with Mr Darcy the Labrador – Florence House Care Home 

Training & Qualifications

  • Accredited by the BACP
  • QLS L7 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People from I'm OK You're OK .
  • L6 Diploma in Counselling from University of West of England (UWE) 
  • I use an Integrative approach with core modalities of Person/Child-Centred, Gestalt and Psychodynamic Theories which can be used in the most complex and long-standing situations.
  • 2:1 BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Reading University (1989-1992).
  • I integrate Psychology-based approaches for brief, goal-focussed work.
  • Essential Skills in Counselling Children and Young People from UWE.
  • Regular ongoing CPD training and supervision for play therapy and counselling adults and young people.

Testimonials

“I feel ready to enrol in college now as it was my anxiety holding me back. I know how I feel now, how much I want it and that I can do it. I am more of a whole person now”.

“Thank you – you have really helped me open up and talk to people and have closer relationships”.

“Thank you for doing counselling with me this year. I have had so much fun during our sessions, and you have helped me a lot “(aged 10yrs).

"My son starting seeing Liz just over a year ago and the difference in him is amazing, he is like a different child. He was really struggling with anxiety and trauma response. Liz has helped him in so many ways, he had to have an operation which he was very anxious about, after a previous bad experience. Liz created a chill box with my son, which contained things that helped to keep him calm and distract him. We took this on the day of the operation and this really did help him.  Liz has helped by giving him coping mechanisms. The support she gives is exceptional and not just for our son, but for us too. My son always looks forward to his session with Liz, and we know he is in good hands. I would highly recommend Liz and honestly can't thank her enough.” 

"News! I have a girlfriend! We have been seeing each other for a couple of months now, and have made it 'official'. I'm very happy! “

"Just want to follow up and say thank you for suggesting my son may be dyslexic. I’ve had a meeting with the SENCO head at school and after frequent observation in class she has said it is highly likely that he is dyslexic. They have already put in place a few changes to support him and will do a formal assessment a bit later into the school year. I doubt I would have asked for support in this area if you hadn’t highlighted it." (Age 5yrs)

"My OCD is there for seconds now. I use my strategies and it goes. I am looking forward to getting a job now.”