ABOUT ME
From Accountant to Counsellor
I originally qualified as a chartered accountant with a medium sized company in London and worked there for seven years, progressing through the grades to manager. Here I worked with sole traders, partnerships and small businesses as an auditor and business advisor. I then moved to become an audit manager at Ernst & Young in their Entrepreneurial Services department in London, where I continued to work as an auditor and business advisor to a wide range of clients. I stayed at Ernst & Young for just over seven years, progressing to senior manager and gradually changing the focus of my work.
From the beginning at Ernst & Young one of my roles was as a counsellor working with the graduate trainees to help them make the most of their time at the company and to make choices about future career moves. Although the focus was on work-related issues, I inevitably ended up talking to people about more personal issues as they arose. I found that I was enjoying this part of my work more than the auditing and eventually decided to train to become a counsellor. During the last few years at Ernst & Young I moved away from client-facing work to concentrate more on helping employees.
Personal Development
Following the end of a relationship some years ago I started a process of self exploration that led to me making some major changes in my life. I found a more positive way of thinking that helped me to be a happier person. I read self help books, attended courses and workshops, learned meditation techniques, discovered reiki and began a journey of self discovery through my counselling course. As a result of this I have changed my career, moved house and found a new, more satisfying relationship.
I have discovered many things about myself and taken many steps forward, however I believe this is a journey of discovery that will last the rest of my life. I continue to explore new approaches and techniques to help me move forward. As a result of my self exploration I decided that I wanted to help others by passing on what I have learned. I now work as a counsellor in private practice.
Qualifications and Training
Diploma in Counselling
This is a two year part time qualification that is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. It envolves both the study of theory and practical training. To complete the course students must find a placement where they work as a volunatary counsellor, completing a minimum of 120 hours of supervised counselling. Students must also undergo two years of weekly therapy themselves.Certificate in Counselling
This is a one year part time introduction to counselling. You must obtain a Certificate before you can start the two year Diploma.Ongoing Counselling Training
Since completing my Diploma I have joined the Reading Therapies Group. They provide monthly talks on various counselling related topics and also run workshops. Talks and workshops that I have attended include:- CBT Skills For The Primary Care Counsellor - Workshop
- Short-term Psychotherapy: Panacea or Problem?
- CBT Theory and Strategies in Understanding and Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
- Domestic Violence/abuse
- The Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Body Image
- Addressing the Issue of Self-Harm by Omission
Other Qualifications
- Life Skills Coaching Diploma
- Chartered Accountant (ICAEW)
- Degree in Economic and Social History and Sociology from Birmingham University.
As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force. www.bacp.co.uk
Author
When I first started working as a counsellor I was surprised by the many different ways in which people experienced depression. In some cases there was an obvious life event, or ongoing problem that seemed to be the cause. For people in this situation a relatively short series of counselling sessions seemed to help enormously. By talking to someone independent of their situation and gaining a new perspective people were able to make choices and move on in their lives. However, for many others depression was an ongoing reality, sometimes lasting for years and recurring over decades. In these cases there was often no obvious cause. I became curious as to what depression really was and so began to do some research.
At first the research just led to more confusion, as there were so many competing theories about the causes of depression and even more competing treatments. A lot of people on the internet were claiming there's was the best way to cure depression. Many were offering quick fixes, I recently came across one offering to cure you in 3 minutes. I realised that the information must be even more confusing for someone diagnosed with depression who is trying to make sense of how they feel and decide on a course of treatment. I had been thinking about writing a book for some time and so it seemed natural to turn my research into a book to help those suffering from depression make sense of their condition.
In my book I have summarised the latest thinking on the causes of depression and have examined a wide range of treatments. I have also included interviews with four women who have struggled with and overcome depression. I also write a weekly blog on depression and related topics in which I aim to keep the reader up to date with the latest developments.
