Before you consider counselling with me, I completely understand you’d want to know a little more about who I am. Especially, my route to qualifying as a self-esteem counsellor, how I can help you, and what attracted me to the specialism of low self-esteem.
I live in St Albans with my partner and our boisterous son, who’s always a bundle of energy and chaos. Prior to working in mental health I spent some fruitless, yet occasionally fun, years working in marketing and communications.
If I have any spare time, I enjoy eating cheese and browsing clothes I can barely afford on Vinted and Vestiaire. Should I manage to leave St Albans, then it would usually be for the beach and some 80s music and sunshine – my tastes don’t run to sophisticated.
I really love what I do. Occasionally people ask whether I find it depressing or lonely working as a self-esteem counsellor. And I can honestly say no, never. Quite the opposite. Seeing a client go from confused, low in self-worth and struggling with confidence to feeling content, focused and ready for the future, really is one of the most fulfilling experiences, ever.
How I came to specialise in low self-esteem
Women’s self-esteem became my specialism about 5 years ago, when I had an a-ha moment. I noticed that nearly all my female clients were in counselling because they felt ‘not good enough’. Not attractive enough, not worthy enough and not intelligent enough. These feelings of low self worth were holding them back from living the life they wanted. Sometimes, they were even living a life to please another person.
But self-esteem challenges generally respond very well to counselling. Once we’ve completed our work together, my clients report having renewed self-confidence, greater self-compassion and feeling more comfortable in their own skin. It’s an amazing job. I get to see my client’s blossom, and I hope I can do this for many years to come.
Professional qualifications in counselling and self esteem
I started on my counselling path 20 years ago, when I volunteered as a listener for the Samaritans. Since then I’ve achieved a degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies (Bsc Hons); a diploma in Integrative Counselling and registration with the BACP (MBACP). My specialism is self esteem, so I’ve trained with Dr Kristin Neff, who’s a pioneer in the field of self-compassion and low self-esteem.
I’ve also been fortunate to work as a counsellor for many wonderful organisations. These include Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, Mind in Mid Herts and of course the wonderful NHS.
And finally, because I’m so passionate about mental health, I frequently write blog posts and occasionally write articles for magazines. I’ve written for Women’s Health, Psychologies, Soul & Spirit, Optimum Nutrition and many others.
