The pre-AD4E days.

Before the moment when I knew I had to re-evaluate and try to do something more to challenge the medicalisation of distress I was a busy psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor. I qualified in psychotherapy in 1996 and in supervision in 2003 and was lucky enough to have always been busy with a variety of different roles over the years.

Prior to my psychotherapy training I worked in a residential setting with young women survivors of sexual violence (1992-1996) and my first therapeutic post after qualifying in 1996 was at a Rape Crisis Centre. I spent over six years here offering therapy, facilitating groups and training volunteers as well as leading on various campaigns against sexual violence. I also served on the board of directors for the Rape Crisis Federation of Wales and England from 1998 to 2000 and ran national anti-rape campaigns for the federation.

In 2002 I moved from Rape Crisis to a part-time post running a counselling service in a prominent inner city Birmingham College of Further Education and stayed in this post for over 20 years. During this time, I also ran a private psychotherapy and supervision practice, I offered supervision groups and continuing professional development groups for counsellors and psychotherapists, and provided training and consultancy services for schools and organisations on a number of issues related to emotional distress. 

In 2015 I trained as funeral celebrant and still offer a limited amount of non religious ceremonies as celebrant accredited with Humanists UK.