Kay

Qualifications 

• BA Hons Counselling
• EMDR Practitioner
• Clinical Supervisor
• RNIB: Sight Loss Counsellor
• Foundation for Infant Loss Practitioner

At the heart of my work is a simple belief: shame softens in the presence of authentic honour. I'm not here to fix or rescue you, but to walk alongside you as you make sense of your experiences and reconnect with yourself. Therapy isn't about becoming shameless. It's about becoming whole enough to live with greater freedom, reclaiming your identity through authentic honour, and returning to a compassionate sense of your own worth.

I am experienced supporting people affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, including sexual trauma, domestic abuse, birth trauma, miscarriage and baby loss, anxiety, attachment difficulties, bereavement and pre-trial support. I also work with relationship difficulties, life transitions, low self-esteem and shame, childhood neglect, chronic illness, menopause, self-harm, panic attacks, and questions around spirituality. 

I aim to create an inclusive and accessible therapeutic environment for everyone. With additional training in ADHD, autism and AuDHD, together with RNIB accessibility training, I adapt therapy to your individual strengths, needs and experiences.

My focus is on helping you build resilience and gain a deeper understanding of what's affecting your emotional wellbeing. Rather than applying one approach to everyone, I draw on person-centred therapy, CBT, attachment theory, and elements of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and systemic thinking to tailor therapy to your individual needs and experiences.

Alongside my work at Place to Talk Therapies, I also work as an associate counsellor at Poole Therapies, supporting a wide range of clients, including international students completing MA and PhD research placements. I've also worked at STARS, a specialist sexual trauma agency in Dorset, supporting people affected by recent sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and domestic abuse.

Before becoming a counsellor, I worked as a Family Liaison Officer with the Family Counselling Trust in Dorset. Earlier in my career I worked as a Registered Midwife and Registered General Nurse, experiences that continue to shape my understanding of trauma, loss and compassionate care. Outside work, I'm married with a grown-up family and enjoy walking my springer spaniel along the South Coast.

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Alongside one-to-one counselling, I also provide clinical supervision for qualified counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling students. If you're looking for a reflective, supportive and professionally grounded supervision space, you can find out more below. 

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Qualifications & Professional Registration
I am qualified, registered and insured. I also actively engage in regular CPD (continuing professional development) to maintain and continually enhance my professional practice.

• BA Hons Counselling - Middlesex University
• DipHE Counselling - Middlesex University
• Diploma in Supervision
• EMDR Practitioner
• MBACP Accredited Member 402110
• ACC Accredited Member R001502      

Continuing Professional Development
2026 

• FIL: Endometriosis and Poly cystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness
• FIL: Menopause Awareness including the invisible loss of Premature Menopause
• FIL: Workplace Training including Baby loss difficult conversations pregnancy and infant loss or infertility
• FIL: Certified ADVANCED Rainbow Baby Specialist and Support Session Facilitator

2025

• RNIB: Sight Loss Counsellor
• Foundation for Infant Loss Practitioner
• PESI Polyvagal - Somatic & Sound-Based Therapies for Nervous System Regulation

2024

• PESI - Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice: Transforming Development Deficits and Building Secure Attachment
• PESI - Finding Meaning in Loss: The Sixth Stage of Grief
• TRANSFORMATION Services - Professional Life Coach
• SANDS - Counselling parents and families following pregnancy loss and the death of a baby
• MAKE BIRTH BETTER- Birth Trauma Training Programme
• BEAT - ARFID Workshop
• NEDDE - Understanding and Managing ARFID, PDA and PICA Disorders
• BIELEC CONSULTANCY - Domestic Abuse, Coercive Controlling Behaviour & Stalking
• COLLABORATIVE COUNSELLING ACADEMY LTD - Working with Shame in the Therapy Room
• (MUSS) REWIND Technique

2023

• Safeguarding Level 3
• Working with suicide, intervention & prevention
• Applying Attachment Theory
• Strength-based Interventions to Thrive with ADHD from Childhood to Adulthood
• Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) Across Clinical Applications
• Treating Trauma with IFS: Procedures for Healing Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, and more
• Single-session therapy
• Gaslighting: Rebuild from a Narcissist's Emotional Abuse
• JANINA FISCHER - Trauma Treatment Certification Training (CCTP)
• CHRISTIANE SANDERSON - Intensive Course in Trauma-Informed Practice: Treating Complex PTSD
• PESI: Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Strategies to Support Grief and Treat Trauma
• BLUESTAR- Pre-Trial Therapy Training Programme

2022

• CPCAB: Trauma Informed Practice
• PACT - Working with Gestalt techniques
• Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model
• PACT - Working Creatively with Nesting Dolls in Counselling
• PACT - Attachment and Shame
• PACT - Building Boundaries Breaking Barriers

2021

• Telephone and E-counselling
• BACP/OU Counselling online

2020

• CRUSE: Bereavement Support Training
• Safeguarding, Level 2

I also hold:

• Enhanced DBS
• Insurance
• ICO Registered