Tel: 07871 526 826
ABOUT
Why I Do This Work
I’ve always been fascinated by people.
Why do two people experience similar events yet carry them so differently?
Why do some patterns seem so difficult to change, even when we desperately want them to?
Those questions eventually led me into counselling.
Over time, I’ve become less interested in asking, “What’s wrong with this person?” and far more interested in asking, “What has happened to them?”
People make sense.
This belief shapes the way I understand people and the way I work as a counsellor.
Even when we don’t understand our emotions, reactions or patterns of behaviour, there is often a story behind them.
Anxiety can make sense.
Depression can make sense.
Shame can make sense.
Perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional withdrawal and difficulty trusting others can make sense when we begin to understand the experiences that shaped them.
Rather than seeing these patterns as weaknesses to overcome, I believe they deserve to be understood with curiosity and compassion.
Because when we understand the pain beneath the pattern, meaningful change often becomes possible.
What it's like to work with me
My role isn’t to judge you, tell you what to do, or pretend to have all the answers.
Instead, I aim to offer a calm, thoughtful and compassionate space where you can slow down, reflect honestly and begin to understand your experiences more fully.
Together, we’ll explore your story at a pace that feels right for you, seeking to understand not only what you’re struggling with, but also the experiences that may have shaped those struggles.
You don’t need to know exactly where to begin, and there is no expectation to tell your whole story at once.
I believe that feeling genuinely heard and understood can become the beginning of lasting change.
My approach
I work as an integrative counsellor, drawing on a range of evidence-based counselling approaches depending on your individual needs.
My work has been particularly influenced by attachment theory, trauma-informed practice and compassionate approaches to emotional wellbeing.
Rather than assuming one approach suits everyone, I adapt my approach to the person sitting in front of me.
Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, shame, grief, relationship difficulties or simply a sense that life feels harder than it should, my hope is that counselling will help you understand yourself with greater honesty, self-compassion and freedom.
Qualifications & Professional Background
I am a BACP Registered Counsellor and work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
My qualifications include:
• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Therapeutic Communication – Ulster University
• Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling & Professional Practice – Ulster University
Alongside private practice, my professional background includes counselling, social work and supporting individuals and families through significant life challenges across health, social care and community services.
These experiences have reinforced something I believe deeply:
Every person has a story.
Every story deserves to be heard with compassion.
Professional Counselling in Magherafelt
I provide professional counselling for adults in Magherafelt, across the surrounding Mid Ulster area, and online throughout Northern Ireland.
People come to counselling for many different reasons.
Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, or simply a growing sense that life isn’t quite how you want it to be, counselling offers an opportunity to slow down, understand your experiences and begin moving forward.
Whatever has brought you here, you don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.