Hello
I’m Amy and I’m 41 years old. I’m a graduate, stepmum-of-two, enjoy the outdoors and love to dance!
Before qualifying as a therapist, I worked in a commercial organisation for twelve years as a senior manager. I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and gained an interest in affecting positive change in others. After realising that being in a corporate environment was not fulfilling my needs, I began my counselling career in 2015.
My own experience of counselling was another motivator to change jobs. After years of knowing something wasn’t quite right, I eventually reached out for help, and it was the best decision I ever made. Therapy gave me newfound self-awareness, a tool I use every day to ensure my actions align with what I value. Self-discovery is very empowering, and I gain a lot of satisfaction from facilitating this change in others.
Attending an 8-week MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) course was also an essential turning point for me. Here I learnt how powerful the mind can be and how important it is to feed our mind with helpful rather than harmful content. Using present awareness, savouring the moment and a daily gratitude practice have all become part of my wellbeing routine. Without these things, I can easily become drawn into unhelpful thinking patterns. I believe that stepping back from our thoughts and feelings is essential if we want to have agency over our own lives. I wholeheartedly enjoy offering these practices to clients.
My past work experience also includes volunteering at a domestic abuse clinic. Helping clients untangle the complexities of toxic relationships and supporting their personal growth is very rewarding to me. ‘Domestic abuse’ can seem like a big scary label, but if we examine ourselves, we can all probably relate to the experience of feeling bullied, manipulated or taken advantage of at some point in our lives. I also have a keen interest in working with perpetrators of abuse; helping people create positive change is at the centre of my work.
I am based in Lymm, Warrington within easy reach of Altrincham and Knutsford.
QUALIFICATIONS
MSc Advanced Counselling and Psychotherapy (Distinction)
Certificate in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
CBT Essentials (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) – APT Certificate
Professional Diploma (Therapeutic Counselling)
Level 3 Certificate (Counselling Skills)
Level 2 Certificate (Counselling Concepts)
Online and Telephone Counselling
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Domestic Abuse, Coercion & Control
Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
Expressive Therapies
Compassion Focused Therapy
Attachment Styles
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction