About Me

I am an experienced psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist and Advanced BWRT® Practitioner with over 12 years’ experience helping people make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

My approach is warm, practical and non-judgemental. I believe therapy works best when people feel understood, respected and able to speak openly without fear of being judged. I work collaboratively and adapt the way I work to the individual rather than expecting every client to fit a single therapeutic model.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a clearly identifiable problem such as anxiety, panic, a phobia or an unwanted habit. At other times, people simply know that something does not feel right: they may feel overwhelmed, stuck, low in mood, unable to move on from something that happened in the past, or caught in patterns they understand intellectually but still cannot seem to change.

My aim is not simply to help people understand why they feel the way they do, but to help them change the emotional responses, thoughts and behaviours that continue to keep the problem going.

How I Work

There is no single therapeutic approach that is right for everybody.

My work therefore draws on psychotherapy, counselling, clinical hypnotherapy, BWRT® and other evidence-informed psychological approaches. The method we use depends on the individual, the problem they are experiencing and what they want to achieve through therapy.

For some people, therapy involves having the space to talk, make sense of experiences and understand patterns that may have developed over many years.

Other clients already understand the origins of their difficulties perfectly well. They may be able to explain exactly why they react in a particular way, yet still find themselves experiencing anxiety, fear, shame, distress or unwanted behaviour.

In these situations, approaches such as BWRT® and hypnotherapy can provide different ways of working with automatic emotional and behavioural responses.

Often the most effective approach is a combination of understanding, reflection and practical psychological change.

Anxiety, Stress and Overthinking

Anxiety is one of the most common difficulties I work with.

It can appear as constant worry, overthinking, panic, physical symptoms, health anxiety, fear of particular situations, difficulty making decisions, or the feeling that the mind simply will not switch off.

Some people have experienced anxiety for many years, while others find that it emerges following a period of stress, relationship difficulties, bereavement, illness or another major life event.

Therapy can help identify what is maintaining the anxiety while also working directly with the emotional responses and thought patterns that keep it active.

I have undertaken additional specialist training in anxiety-related conditions, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and anxiety has formed a substantial part of my clinical work throughout my career.

Trauma and Difficult Past Experiences

An experience can be over while part of us continues to respond as though it is still happening.

People sometimes know rationally that they are safe or that an event belongs in the past, yet certain memories, people, situations or sensations still trigger powerful emotional reactions.

Trauma does not necessarily mean one dramatic event. Difficult childhood experiences, relationships, rejection, humiliation, bullying, loss, prolonged stress or other experiences can leave emotional patterns that continue long afterwards.

My approach to trauma is focused on helping reduce the emotional impact of those experiences rather than requiring clients to repeatedly relive everything that happened.

Where appropriate, BWRT® can be particularly useful when somebody understands intellectually that the danger has passed but still finds their emotional response behaving as though it has not.

BWRT®

BWRT® — BrainWorking Recursive Therapy — is a psychological therapy developed by Terence Watts.

It is carried out while the client is fully conscious and does not involve hypnosis.

I find BWRT® particularly useful when there is a difference between what somebody consciously knows and how they automatically feel.

For example:

“I know there is nothing to be frightened of, but I am still frightened.”

“I know what happened is in the past, but I still react to it.”

“I know I do not need to think this way, but I cannot seem to stop.”

BWRT® works directly with these automatic responses rather than relying solely on conscious reasoning.

Another advantage is that it can allow people to work with difficult experiences without necessarily having to describe every detail to the therapist.

I am a Certified Advanced BWRT® Practitioner and Master Coach and have used BWRT® extensively within my clinical practice.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention and relaxation. Clients remain aware of what is happening and remain in control throughout the process.

Within therapy, hypnosis can provide an opportunity to work with thoughts, emotional responses, beliefs and habits in a different way from ordinary conscious problem-solving.

I may incorporate hypnotherapy into work involving:

• anxiety and stress

• fears and phobias

• confidence and self-esteem

• unwanted habits

• smoking cessation

• emotional eating and weight management

• performance and motivation

• relaxation and stress-related difficulties

Hypnotherapy is always collaborative and is only used where I believe it is appropriate for the individual client.

Depression and Low Mood

Depression can involve far more than simply feeling sad.

People may lose motivation, confidence, energy and interest in things that previously mattered to them. They may withdraw from other people, become increasingly self-critical, or feel that their future has narrowed.

Therapy can help explore both what has contributed to low mood and what may now be maintaining it.

My work focuses on helping clients understand their emotional experience while gradually changing the thoughts, behaviours and patterns that may be reinforcing depression.

Confidence, Self-Esteem and Assertiveness

Low confidence often develops gradually through experience.

Criticism, rejection, difficult relationships, bullying or experiences earlier in life can influence the way people see themselves long after the original situation has passed.

This can lead to people avoiding opportunities, struggling to express their needs, worrying excessively about what others think, or finding it difficult to set boundaries.

Therapy can help identify and change these patterns while developing greater confidence, assertiveness and trust in one's own judgement.

Emotional Eating and Weight Management

For many people, difficulties with weight are not simply about knowing what to eat.

Eating can become linked with stress, boredom, comfort, reward, habit or difficult emotions. People may understand exactly what they want to change but repeatedly find themselves returning to familiar patterns.

My work focuses on the psychological and behavioural aspects of weight management, helping people understand and change the habits, triggers and emotional responses surrounding food and eating.

Where appropriate, hypnotherapy and other psychological approaches may form part of this work.

Smoking Cessation

I have specialist training in smoking cessation and offer a dedicated stop-smoking programme.

The work focuses on the psychological associations, habits and automatic behaviours that maintain smoking rather than relying solely on willpower.

I also work with people wishing to change other unwanted habits and compulsive behaviours.

Autism and ADHD

I have considerable experience working therapeutically with autistic people and people with ADHD.

My aim is not to make somebody less autistic or less ADHD.

Instead, therapy may focus on difficulties such as anxiety, overwhelm, executive functioning, confidence, relationships, emotional regulation, burnout, past experiences or developing practical ways of living that work better for the individual.

I adapt the therapeutic process according to the person's communication style and needs rather than expecting them to adapt to a rigid therapeutic model.

Other Areas of Work

I also work with people experiencing:

• panic attacks

• fears and phobias

• health anxiety

• stress and burnout

• relationship difficulties

• grief and loss

• shame and guilt

• procrastination

• unwanted habits and compulsions

• psychosexual difficulties

• IBS and other stress-related difficulties

• tinnitus

• motivation and performance difficulties

If you are unsure whether I may be able to help with a particular issue, I am happy to discuss this during an introductory consultation.

Professional Supervision

Alongside my client work, I provide professional supervision for hypnotherapists.

I have been practising as a supervisor since 2025, having completed specialist Hypnotherapy Supervisor training that is APHP accredited and GHR approved.

My supervision style is supportive, practical and collaborative.

Supervision provides a confidential professional space in which practitioners can reflect on client work, explore challenging cases, consider ethical and professional issues, develop clinical confidence and continue developing their own therapeutic style.

I work with both newer practitioners who may be building confidence following qualification and more experienced therapists who value an independent reflective space.

I also offer small-group online supervision sessions.

Qualifications and Professional Membership

My professional training includes:

• Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills

• Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

• Certified Advanced BWRT® Practitioner and Master Coach

• Accredited Hypnotherapy Supervisor

• Diploma as a Smoking Cessation Specialist

• Specialist training in Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• WSN Level 2 Practitioner

• Certified Virtual Gastric Band Practitioner

• Transformational Life Coach

I am an accredited member of the Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP) and registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).

I am committed to continuing professional development, regular supervision and maintaining high professional and ethical standards.

Sessions

I work with clients face-to-face from Craven Clinic in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

I also offer online therapy, allowing me to work with clients elsewhere in the UK and internationally where appropriate.

Online sessions can be particularly useful for people who live further away, have mobility or travel difficulties, or simply prefer to receive therapy from their own home.

Free Introductory Consultation

Choosing a therapist is personal, and I believe it is important that you have an opportunity to decide whether I am the right person for you before committing to therapy.

I therefore offer a free introductory consultation.

This gives you the opportunity to tell me a little about what you would like help with, ask questions about how I work and discuss which therapeutic approach might be most appropriate.

There is no obligation to book further sessions.

My aim is always to provide therapy that is human, collaborative and focused on meaningful change — helping people move beyond simply understanding their difficulties towards greater freedom, confidence and choice.

SUPERVISION

I am an experienced psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist and Advanced BWRT® Practitioner with more than 12 years working in private clinical practice.

I provide individual and group supervision for qualified hypnotherapists, both online and face-to-face in Skipton.

Private practice can sometimes be professionally isolating, particularly when you encounter a difficult client, an unfamiliar presentation, an ethical dilemma or simply find yourself wondering whether you are approaching something in the best way.

My supervision style is practical, collaborative and reflective. I am not interested in telling you that there is only one correct way to practise therapy. My role is to help you think clearly about your work, consider different perspectives and interventions, maintain safe and ethical practice, and develop confidence in your own therapeutic judgement and style.

Supervision may include:

• difficult, complex or unusual client work

• case formulation and therapeutic strategy

• ethical and professional questions

• boundaries and practitioner wellbeing

• situations where therapy appears to have become stuck

• developing confidence as a newer practitioner

• reflecting on therapeutic interventions and alternative approaches

• ongoing professional development

I work integratively and draw on experience in psychotherapy, counselling, clinical hypnotherapy and BWRT®, with extensive clinical work involving anxiety, trauma and difficult past experiences, neurodivergence, psychosexual difficulties, compulsive behaviours and a wide range of other presentations.

You are welcome to work with me regularly or to book occasional supervision when a particular case or professional issue arises.

Individual supervision: £75 per session
Available online or face-to-face in Skipton.

I also offer small online group supervision sessions, limited to six practitioners, at £50 per person for 90 minutes.

I completed specialist hypnotherapy supervisor training accredited by the APHP and approved by the GHR, and have provided professional supervision since 2025.

If you would like to discuss a difficult case, your supervision requirements, or simply whether my approach would suit you, please get in touch or book an introductory call.

Additional Information

Alongside my clinical work, I am committed to maintaining high professional standards through regular supervision, continuing professional development and reflective practice.

I work integratively, drawing on psychotherapy, counselling, clinical hypnotherapy and BWRT® according to the needs of the individual client. I am particularly interested in work where people understand a difficulty intellectually but continue to experience an automatic emotional or behavioural response that they have been unable to change.

I have extensive experience working with anxiety, trauma and difficult past experiences, low mood, confidence and self-esteem, emotional eating, smoking cessation, psychosexual difficulties, and clients who are autistic or have ADHD. My approach is flexible and adapted to the individual rather than based on a single therapeutic model.

I offer face-to-face sessions from Craven Clinic in Skipton, North Yorkshire, as well as online therapy where appropriate.

Prospective clients are welcome to arrange a free introductory consultation before deciding whether to begin therapy. This provides an opportunity to discuss what they would like help with, ask questions about my approach and consider whether working together feels like a good fit.

In addition to client work, I provide individual and small-group professional supervision for hypnotherapists, supporting practitioners with case discussion, ethical reflection, clinical development and professional confidence.