I am a person - centred counsellor in private practice. I am also a specialist mentor for Autism Hampshire (a recent direction for me). My private practice is a modest affair with a handful of clients and this currently suits me due to balancing work with disability caused by pain and fatigue; my week is planned to allow for recovery and self - care time.
I have spent a lot of time focusing my CPD in the area of neurodiversity. My dissertation was about autism and person - centred therapy, and many of my clients tend to be neurodivergent. A growing understanding around autism has led to the realisation that I believe I am on the spectrum. A sense of ‘coming home’ accompanied the moment it all fell into place. I have not been officially “diagnosed” but as someone who leans heavily into the non - pathologizing approach to distress; this does not currently feel necessary.
I have found joining the person - centred association a lifeline during the transition from being amongst university peers to working in private practice. The online encounter group and communities of interest have been a friendly and supportive network of people that ensured I have never felt alone. Because of this; I wanted to volunteer as a trustee to support the organisation and its members. So here I am!
For fun and peace; I am in a band, singing and songwriting. (And playing tambourine - in the band and guitar at home). Also; cats!