Years of Experience
I’m the youngest of four, raised on a council estate in the North East of England. School wasn’t for me, and I left without qualifications, a troubled kid looking for an escape. Joining the British Army was my way out—Queen, Country, Career—but also to leave behind a life I didn’t want. I served with The First Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from 1994 to 2004, as a frontline Infantry soldier and commander. My service took me on operational tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Iraq, where I was part of the Desert Rats who liberated Basra during Op Telic 1.
After leaving the Army, I found myself lost — divorced, bankrupt, unemployed, and homeless. I battled with anger and mental health issues, and I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. It was a dark time, and I even became suicidal. But I fought back, one step at a time. I returned to education, earned a BA (Hons) degree in Counselling, and became a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). Those experiences shaped the way I work today.
My journey hasn’t come from textbooks alone. Yes, I’m professionally trained and qualified, but my counselling is also shaped by real life — military service, divorce, homelessness, isolation, personal loss, and rebuilding more than once. Alongside that, I’ve supported veterans, young people, and adults facing complex challenges including trauma, mental health struggles, housing issues, substance use, and major life changes. That mix of education, professional experience, and lived experience means I don’t just empathise — I can relate.
That’s what the tortoise represents — slowing the pace, simplifying the load, and taking one steady step at a time. You don’t need to sprint to fix everything. You just need to start moving again, even if it’s one small step forward.
You’ll get a no-nonsense, compassionate approach that helps you feel supported —
every step of the way.
Anger can feel overwhelming. Counselling helps you understand your triggers, manage reactions, and respond differently.
Anxiety can feel constant and exhausting, affecting both mind and body. Counselling helps you understand your triggers, calm racing thoughts, and regain control.
Depression can drain your energy and motivation. Counselling helps you understand what’s going on and take practical steps forward.
If your relationship is strained, stuck, or full of conflict, it won’t fix itself. Counselling helps you understand what’s going wrong and how to communicate better.
When everything feels too much, it’s hard to think clearly or cope. Counselling helps you slow things down, make sense of it, and regain control.
If your mental health isn’t where you want it to be, it’s worth addressing. Counselling gives you space to talk, understand what’s going on, and make real changes.
Choose the option that suits you — pay as you go, block booking, or subscription — then book a time that works for you.
Got a question, unsure where to start, or want to check something before booking?
Email me anytime.