The Journey (old)

Psychology, as an area of learning, made an impression on me at A-level. Having developed an interest in the subject, I continued on to Degree level, graduating with a Bsc (Hons), 2:1 from The University of Hull. Determined to use the knowledge and skills gained from the degree, I worked in mental health residential homes whilst still at University. Not long after leaving University I was offered a job within an NHS severe and enduring mental health team – one of the highest levels of psychiatric care in the community. This involves working with individuals in order to avoid psychiatric inpatient admissions at times of crisis. I also empowered individuals to be able to adapt to life in the community whilst living with severe mental illness. This was challenging and extremely eye-opening. The knowledge of real-world Psychology and the understanding that I have gained of human function and of the possible effects of life’s stresses on a person’s situation have been invaluable. I have worked with severe and enduring mental illnesses, encountering the difficulties of chronic depression, chronic anxiety, drug-induced psychosis, post-traumatic stress, suicidality and schizophrenia, among other mental disorders. When you’ve worked well with such levels of mental disorder your ability to work with anyone is greatly enhanced.

My Professional Development

Realising that I had been lucky to amass a rich and varied wealth of experience in working with many different people and in all manner of situations from the progressive and positive to the complex and difficult, I wanted to further my training and education in Psychology.

As a result of this, I studied Advanced Life Coaching – graduating with a Distinction – as well as gaining an internationally recognised Practitioner status qualification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). These qualifications have enhanced my understanding of human function significantly. Assisting people with my accrued skills and knowledge of psychological support is now my chosen direction. Setting up in private practice as a Professional Life Coach and NLP Practitioner was an exciting venture, and the work I have undertaken with clients has proved to be effective and extremely worthwhile. I trained in Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) as part of continuing my professional development. With this added specialism, the outcomes I achieve with clients can be astoundingly effective in an impressively short space of time. The drive to continuously read, research, practice and develop in the area of Psychology is constant for me and I find the application of this work for the success of clients extremely encouraging and fulfilling. Simply, I love this stuff!

For my personal progression as a Coach, and as a way of validating my work to a high degree, I am registered with professional bodies in my three disciplines: The International NLP Trainers Association (INLPTA), the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and the Association for IEMT Practitioners – each of which are reputable professional bodies and I abide by their codes of ethics and commitment to the development of our professions.