The short, formal answer:

I am a Psychotherapist, Teacher, Manager and Careers Guidance Officer with over 24 years experience. I work successfully with organisations and individuals, improving mental wellbeing leading to happy, healthy, productive, people and teams.

Achievements & Experience

I am the Owner and Managing Director of ‘Life Designs and more Ltd’ a company dedicated to enabling people to achieve more and utilise my psychotherapy and training skills to enable individuals and businesses to develop and grow.

Continuing Professional Development

The longer and more informal answer: 

In 1987 I began teaching adults at a college of Further and Higher Education.  I was inspired by the students’ ambition to improve and make a difference to their lives.  At the same time I was asked to help out in Student Services, a department dedicated to ensuring students were signposted to the right courses for their career aspirations, given good quality careers coaching and counselling support.  I loved this work so much I undertook further training and became a qualified Careers Advisor and after a short time the Manager of this department.  Whilst interviewing adults who were returning to education and making the brave step to improve their lives, I quickly realised they needed more than a careers interview.  Many adults were stuck with unhelpful beliefs such as: ‘I’m not clever’; ‘my husband/wife/friends won’t support me’; ‘I have no confidence’; ‘I have depression/anxiety/low self esteem’; ‘I have too many problems’ etc. 

This was another one of my turning points.  I took more qualifications to give me the counselling and psychotherapy skills needed to help these people, and I was hooked.  I loved working with people and helping them achieve their goals; settle into college and overcome life’s adversities (divorce, ill health, bereavement, time and self management etc).  Then came other realisations, my job at the college was becoming more strategic and I had worked at the College for a long time and I knew I didn’t want to retire from there.  I reviewed my skills and noticed what I liked doing best, I was doing least.  So, I resigned from the College and formed my company, Life Designs and more Ltd. 

I’m now in the best job in the world, I meet lots of new people, help them assess their situation and create new ways of being so they have a more comfortable and successful future.   Since forming my company I have never looked back.

And in my spare time... I contribute to my community through volunteering. Three years ago I set up a weekly ‘Knit and Natter’ group for elderly residents of Rossendale and in the spring of 2011 a country wide project called ‘Knitting Communities Together’. The aims of these projects are: to prevent depression and anxiety associated with isolation; encourage communication and friendships; promote health and wellbeing through the activity of knitting. 

What do I do with all the donated knitting? For two years I volunteered my time and skills in Uganda, distributing the knitted clothes and blankets and worked with women’s groups in their villages.  This winter I’m seeking local people who can use the comfort shawls and knee warmers made by the ‘Knitters who Natter’.  So, if you know of anyone who gets cold in the winter and you would like to nominate them to receive a knee warmer or comfort shawl please let me know.