As a child I wanted to be an artist, however having met a hypnotherapist at school, it was an area of interest I kept hold of. I grew up in a very multicultural area of London. My family were fairly ordinary but my mother and sister were fussy eaters. That is why today, one of my specialist areas is around fussy eating in adults. I myself suffered from a wide range of phobias including:
- Fear of spiders
- Fear of chimney pots
- Fear of bellows
- Fear of balloons
- Fear of holes
- Fear of needles
- Fear of other people vomiting
From there I went to study Architecture at Oxford Brookes University and eventually found myself in publishing. I worked in advertising and marketing for a variety of publications including AutoTrader, The Oxford Times, Northcliff Newspapers and iDJ magazine. I have carried on my art through all these years of working as a therapist, it’s my own form of therapy.
In 1995, I became interested in the Internet and started developing websites and e-commerce sites. Then the “dot com bubble burst” and along with many other co-workers I was under an enormous amount of stress.
This left me with a phobia of driving. There had been many near misses and she felt completely unable to drive and often had panic attacks. I tried analytical hypnotherapy first but it made no effect to the phobias. So I looked around for another way and decided to train, so I could understand the process more.
It was in 2007 as I trained in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy at The Clifton Practice Bristol, I was able to overcome my driving phobia, but also fear of needles, blood, others being sick, balloons, and spiders. I have since been featured in the book, How to Overcome Fear of Driving: The Road to Driving Confidence and The Daily Telegraph.
In 2020 I published my first book “Driving me crazy – overcome the fear of driving”
Other courses and organisations
Since then I have also added Human Givens, Cognitive behavioural therapy, DBT, NLP, Mindfulness, coaching, nutrition and BWRT to my toolbox and became a supervisor for the NCH and AfSFH in 2010. That was a busy year as I was also involved in setting up – The Association for Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy. – Its journal editor for 5 years.
I was one of the first hypnotherapists to be accepted into the government-created Complimentary Natural Healthcare Council too.
In 2016 I trained in Nutritional Therapy so I could work more closely with my weight loss clients and Fussy eating clients. Making sure they were eating the right balance of foods. Also that year she received the foundation certificate in Integrated Medicine from The College of Medicine. In 2017 I was accepted as a Senior Associate of the Royal Society of Medicine and was a member for a few years.
During the 2020-21 Covid-19 pandemic, most of my work went online, opening up my work right across the English-speaking world. I have clients from the USA to Dubai. As long as it’s within a reasonable time zone to work with.
2021 was a year of extremes. In June 2021 I lost my father to Covid and can empathise with all those who have struggled through the pandemic with isolation issues and grief. Then within weeks, I learned that I had won the Livewire Prestige Awards Oxfordshire Hypnotherapist of the year 2021-22. Which highlighted all the hard work I had put in, especially during the pandemic. I was even more delighted to win it in 2022 as well.
As a result of having a consultation with me, you will leave with an understanding of your problem from both a biological and psychological perspective. Consequently, you will gain a clear insight into the potential benefits of hypnosis and how you might feel about working with me. You will also have the opportunity to have all your questions answered.
Coaching and mentoring
I have also trained as a coach and a mentor for Oxfam. As well as being a supervisor/mentor for other hypnotherapists.
Continuous Professional Development
Please view all the training on the CPD page.
Media appearances
I have been one of the “Ask the Experts” in the magazine Happiful and contribute tips on anxiety-related problems. In 2024 I was approached by Brainz magazine to become an executive contributor, links to my articles can be found below.
I occasionally make appearances on BBC Radio Oxford on shows such as Malcolm Boyden’s Valentine’s show where I talked about phobias – and fear of commitment.
On Kat Orman’s lunchtime show we talk about current news stories such as hugging and the importance of Oxytocin. I have also been on BBC Radio Somerset talking about motivation, and National BBC radio talking about phobias.
I have also appeared on Oxford TalkTV Channel 8 talking about the uses of hypnotherapy. The difference between a hypnotherapist and a stage hypnotist.
Listen to an interview on Confident Drivers Podcast – Listen
In 2023 I took part in an International driving confidence summit – put together by New Jersey Hypnotherapist and coach Chris Pizzarello.
A variety of national newspaper articles have been written about me, including one on my driving phobia and my experience of living with someone with sleep apnea.
Codes of conduct & ethics
I am or have been a member of the following professional bodies:
- Senior Associate of the Royal Society of Medicine.
- The College of Medicine
- The Complimentary Natural Healthcare Council
- The National Council for Hypnotherapy
- The Association for Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
A large number of clients come as a result of referrals and having heard me talk on BBC Radio about mental health issues. Or have read my name in newspaper articles about driving confidence? Many will be local to Oxford, but since Covid and working mostly online, I have clients from all over the UK, especially London, and further afield such as Dubai, the USA and France.
Interview
TV appearances
In 2015 I was interviewed by Talk Oxford, the local TV channel about the difference between Hypnotherapy and Stage Hypnosis.
Charity work and donations
I often donate, sponsor or raise money for charity. If it’s a subject close to my heart and values, I am happy to help in some shape or form. Please see Charities Page
Brainz Magazine articles:
August 2024 – 11 tips for fear of driving
Why does my chosen career feel so wrong
Please give me a call or email me so we can start making the changes in your life you need – to make it better.
I look forward to hearing from you.
