I am originally Canadian, but came to the UK with my family in 1986 after living for several years in the USA. After an initial psychology degree, a teaching degree and a Masters Degree in Deaf Education, I graduated with an MA in psychotherapy and counselling from Regents College in 1989 and set up a full time private practice as a psychotherapist. In 2020 I achieved my Doctorate in Psychotherapy (DPsych) from Middlesex University London, having completed research on the mental health of young people in independent secondary schools.
I am registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
In 2004, I founded the Surrey Counselling and Psychotherapy Initiative (SCPI), a professional member's organisation which acts as an extensive referral network. It also provides collegial support and professional development opportunities to 55 psychotherapists and counsellors in private practice.
In 2016, I founded the first annual conference of Counselling for Young People from Privileged Environments (CYPPE) at the University of Surrey. CYPPE is an organisation dedicated to exploring the multiple factors which influence the mental health of privileged youths. The yearly conferences bring together school counsellors, therapists and other pastoral care professionals who work with adolescent students attending elite, independent schools. The wide network of experienced professionals who share their expertise in CYPPE will research effective methods of supporting the psychological health and resilience of young people within this special demographic population.
