Qualifications & Continued Professional Development

To date, my relevant qualifications include among others:

Formal Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
• Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
• Level 4 Certificate in Approaches to Addictive Behaviour
• Level 3 Advanced Certificate In Counselling
• Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Becoming qualified does not mean I have stopped learning! I believe we are all a work in progress and I am no different, I am always looking to improve my practice. Retraining helped me rediscover a love for learning - so much so I was awarded a little recognition during my most recent studies.

I attend Supervision monthly. This allows me to discuss my own process, review work and potentially identify areas I may wish to develop further, as well as maintain my own wellbeing. It is a requirement of my professional body to undertake Supervision in order to practice ethically, in practice it is a extremely important and supportive aspect of my work.

I also attend my own personal therapy when I feel the need to do so. I believe it important to mention this, as it to me is vital that people view attending counselling as an act of strength and personal growth, not just a thing we do when terrible things are happening! It is part of my own self care regime, I am a human first, counsellor second, and I say this to dispel any myth that therapists have "all their stuff together" all the time. It is responsible, however, to understand my own processes and reactions to life, as well as have lived experience of what it is to be a client - to feel vulnerable, uncomfortable, to take a risk, and to surprise myself or change my perspectives, opinions and behaviour! 

Continued Professional Development training and workshops are one way I keep learning and developing my personal style, learning different approaches and skills in order to help you, in the way that’s right for you.

Recent CPD undertaken has included;

• Body Dysmorphia in the Male Population
• Dr. Mick Cooper - Working with Goals
• First Response - Emergency First Aid in the Workplace
• Dr. Mick Cooper - Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Carolyn Spring - Working with Relational Trauma: Dealing with Disorganised Attachment
• CCBT - Approaches in Treating OCD 
• CRUSE - Awareness in Bereavement Care Training
• MANKIND Initiative - Working with Male victims of domestic abuse
• Sex and Love addiction Workshop
• Couples Work - Couple fundamentals, Communication and Difference, Dealing with Affairs
• Transactional Analysis 101
• Practical Gestalt Techniques

Aside from Counselling credentials, I am also a qualified Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor, with several years experience of working on various gym floors, giving me a rather unique intersection of skills relating to mindset, consistency, motivation and attitudes to body composition - if you've ever felt anxious or nervous about attending a gym, I'm your guy!!!