I started my helping career in the USA as a volunteer classroom assistant at a specialist day treatment service for children who had been excluded from mainstream school, and as a domestic violence helpline volunteer. Following this I worked in London at an NHS psychiatric inpatient service for young people, then at a residential mental health crisis project for women. I continued my helpline work by volunteering for London Rape Crisis. These experiences shaped the basis of my understanding of the importance of safety, empathy and relationship in the process of healing.

My Counselling Psychology training began in 2001 and I spent three years at City University, with placements in the NHS, Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS) and a holistic therapy service. As a qualified psychologist, I continued to work in HMPS before taking up a position in an NHS personality disorder service. There, I was part of a team delivering DBT and and providing training to third sector and primary care workers.

I have held an academic position at Glasgow Caledonian University since 2009, as well as running a busy independent practice in First Psychology, with 5 years in a Consultant role. As part of this, I have provided supervision to trainees and teams, and co-ordinated a therapy service for women experiencing homelessness, in partnership with a third sector organisation.