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More About Me

Life isn’t always straightforward. And that’s certainly been true for me. I’m sharing a little of my story with you, not for sympathy, but so you know I get it. I’ve lived through some incredibly tough times, and I’ve come out the other side stronger, wiser, and with a deep understanding of how life can challenge us in ways we never imagined.

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As a child, I was sensitive and often bullied — fiercely independent but also deeply caring. As a teen, I was loud, angry, and somehow also the “Grandma” of the group, always looking out for everyone else.

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Grief hit me young. First my dog, then two grandparents — just three months apart — followed later by my uncle. Life kept moving: marriage, two beautiful children, house moves, separation, divorce, family court, and all the challenges that come with single parenting. There were moments of light too — a new relationship, a second marriage, becoming a stepmum — but even those came with their own hurdles. I broke my leg in a bike accident, which led to a long recovery made harder by emotional pain when my son chose to live with his dad.

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Through it all, I kept going. More house moves. More transitions. Job changes. Conflict. Burnout. Medical appointments. Anxiety. Overwhelm. Stress. The physical symptoms my body was screaming at me to notice — which I ignored… until I couldn’t.

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We’re taught to just “crack on”, right? Well… I realised that wasn’t working anymore.

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Then came lockdown. The world paused, and so did I. For the first time, I had space to truly reflect. And I realised that if I wanted things to change, I had to change. I had to live by the words I’d said so many times to others:

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

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So, I stopped avoiding. I stopped distracting myself by staying busy. I stopped saying, “Why me?”I stopped “cracking on.”

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It was time. My time.

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And then, another curveball — a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. During COVID. While grieving the loss of my Nana, who I couldn’t even visit because of restrictions. And yet… I kept going. I raised three kids. Held down work (just about). Moved house again — this time buying our own. Supported my children as they went to university. Qualified in therapeutic coaching and many other areas. Managed my health. And even started doing up the house.

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But let me be clear — this wasn’t easy. There were days I cried, stayed under the duvet, had panic attacks, struggled with pain, battled side effects from medication, and felt completely lost. I’ve had moments where I asked myself, “What’s the point?” and still… I’m here. Standing. Living. Healing.

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So, why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know that I understand. Not just professionally — but personally. I know how it feels to be overwhelmed, stuck, in pain (physically and emotionally), and unsure of what to do next.

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My experiences have shaped the therapist I am today. I’m trauma-informed, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping others find their way forward — just like I had to.

If you’re navigating your own challenges, please know this:
You don’t have to do it alone.
And you don’t have to “crack on.”

Let’s take the next step together.

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"A trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience"