Soulstories Psychotherapy Counselling Chester

• Children and family assessments
• Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy
• Solution focused brief family therapy
• Learning disability

Relevant experience

Following graduation in psychology in 1973 I worked as Research Associate in the Department of Education, University of Warwick, implementing a research project into children’s conceptual development. I lectured in Developmental Psychology for the university extra mural department, and for the postgraduate social work training course leading to MA in Social Work.

I trained as a teacher in 1977 and have been employed in teaching throughout the age and ability range. I worked as an Educational Psychologist for Staffordshire County Council from 1981-1984, and lectured in Developmental Psychology  for the extra mural department of Birmingham University during this period.  From 1991 – 1993

I conducted stress management clinics for a General Practitioner in Lancashire.  In 1993 I was appointed Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology at Chester College of Higher Education. This post entailed lecturing in Developmental and Humanistic Psychology to nurses and health professionals. I also trained counsellors from initial to postgraduate level. 

I worked as County Psychologist for Cheshire County Council from 1996-2000. From 1996 to 1999 I was responsible for psychological support to all the specialist units and schools in Warrington, for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. In this role I offered therapeutic work to children and their families and to young people in the Care system. I held a specialist post as Educational Psychologist with responsibility for the needs of Looked After Children (LAC) for Halton Borough Council from 2000 - 2001. In this role I offered training on the needs of children in the public Care system to teachers, social worker colleagues and foster carers.

I have completed post experience training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy and I am a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy and registered by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. I have completed advanced training in Solution Focused Brief Family Therapy.

I have acted as Consulting Psychologist to Derwen College, Shropshire, a further education college for young adults with learning disabilities. I was responsible for monitoring and validating the work of a psychotherapist in training at Derwen College. I have also supervised counsellors in practice.

I am a member of the Cheshire Family Justice Council.

I am the Child Protection Co-ordinator for the parish of St Columba’s, Chester, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

I have completed several hundred independent parent and child assessments in both public and private law matters. I am a Law Society checked expert witness and I have experience of being cross-examined on my evidence.