Growing up I was very lucky to be introduced to the world of ponies at the age of 5 and I now understand how horses had helped me gain valuable life skills from a young age.
I studied Business at university and initially headed into the corporate world, building a successful training company, delivering managed services to large blue chip organisations. I soon became disenchanted with the board room and longed for a different way of life.
When I heard about Eagala in 2006 I completed the training that same year and knew I had truly found my calling. Since then I have followed my heart and established Shine for Life. In 2013 I started volunteering for Time to Change with Albion in the Community to reduce the stigma of mental health. This led to me completing the training in Mental Health First Aid and the ASSIST suicide prevention training.
More recently I have completed my Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm and Suicide Prevention. I was a Governor for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for nearly a decade so have a good understanding of the mental health landscape in the local area.
I am a well-qualified and experienced psychotherapist having held my private practice for 17 years. I use a variety of approaches in therapy, including CBT and Mindfulness. I am accredited and registered with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and hold a BSc (hons) in Psychology. My therapy training and skills development is ongoing and I keep up-to-date with current research.
I have been working with Shine for Life since 2012, co-delivering sessions with Gabrielle to a wide range of clients, including both adults and children with complex mental health needs.
I particularly enjoy working with horses as part of a therapeutic approach, especially where trauma is an issue as they offer a non-judgemental, non-verbal space within which our clients are able to begin the process of gently healing their emotional pain.
In my experience just being around horses is calming and restorative and I will continue to be a passionate advocate of equine assisted therapy.
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist having completed my training at the University of Roehampton in 2012. Prior to this I gained a BSc in psychology and counselling from the University of Roehampton in 2009 and I have been practising privately since 2014.
I have worked in several community and charity projects working with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, relationship issues and mid-life worries. I have also worked in several addiction centres working with drug, alcohol and behavioural addictions.
In my private practice I have developed my work with young people, both widening and deepening my understanding of adolescent psychology. I am able to help young people understand their behaviours and learn how to cope differently, find alternative ways to respond to problems and expand their social skills. I have worked with issues such as loss, bullying, self harm, anxiety, low mood, changes in family life, relationship issues and tragic events.
I am a transformative healer and teacher dedicated to helping others with their personal wellbeing and growth, through one-on-one sessions, workshops and retreats. I discovered my love for nature at a very young age and being in nature played a crucial role in my journey to heal from my own negative feelings and pain.
I have a deep passion for plants and began learning about herbal remedies when I was just 13.
I’m qualified in various modalities including Yoga, Reflexology, Reiki, Massage and Birth Doula work. I’m also an Accredited Journey Practitioner, specialsing in healing deep trauma to address issues like cancer and other physical and mental health challenges. Since 2001 I’ve witnessed countless positive changes in my clients as they recover from CPTSD and suicidal ideation.
As a therapist at the Field of Dreams, I bring together all the skills I love, allowing my clients to experience the healing power of nature while being supported and guided with grace through their unwanted and negative issues.