My decision in 2016 to become a counsellor was shaped by my own lived experiences of anxiety, trauma, loss, neurodivergence, health challenges and personal growth.

During my school years, I was psychologically bullied – an experience that gradually eroded my confidence and sense of safety. In my late teens and early 20s, the effects of that time began to surface as intense health and social anxiety. Eventually, I developed severe panic attacks that became so frequent I became housebound with agoraphobia. I felt trapped inside both my home and my own mind.

Becoming a mother at 30 was a turning point. I realised I needed support to ensure my anxiety didn’t affect him. With the support of compassionate professionals, I began to face my fears one step at a time. It was not easy – healing rarely is – but through counselling, I discovered not only recovery, but also a deep desire to help others find their own path through pain and towards healing.

In the years that followed, I experienced several significant bereavements. Grief became another powerful teacher, showing me the depth of human love and vulnerability, while increasing my interest in spirituality. At times the weight of loss felt unbearable, but counselling once again became a lifeline. Having a safe space to talk, cry, rant and make sense of the chaos literally saved my life. That experience strengthened my belief in the healing power of being heard and supported.

I have volunteered for many years with the Road Victims Trust (RVT), a charity that supports people affected by fatal road collisions. In this role, I help individuals navigate the profound grief, loss and trauma that follow the sudden death of their loved one. It means so much to me now that I can help others navigate their own grief journeys – holding a safe, supportive space for their pain, their memories and their hope for life beyond loss.

In 2011, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Living with ongoing pain and fatigue has given me a profound understanding of the physical and emotional challenges that can accompany chronic health conditions. It has informed my counselling practice by deepening my empathy for others navigating long-term health difficulties, the frustration of feeling misunderstood, and the impact that physical conditions can have on mental wellbeing.

More recently, I’ve also come to understand how ADHD has influenced my life. This realisation has brought clarity and self-compassion, helping me make sense of many of my past struggles with racing thoughts, overwhelm, relationships, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem and the deep frustration of feeling ‘different’ without knowing why. It has also deepened my empathy for others who live with neurodivergence and the challenges it can bring, and how vital it is to feel truly understood. I know that we are not ‘broken’ or need fixing.

Today, I work with adults experiencing anxiety, loss, low self-worth, trauma, chronic health challenges and the emotional impact of neurodivergence, both face-to-face in my therapy studio in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and across the UK online. My past no longer defines me; it inspires me to create a safe, supportive space where others can find understanding, growth and renewed hope.

"A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for" – Albert Einstein