My CPD
Continuing Professional Development
I see ongoing training and reflection as an important part of practising ethically. Rather than something fixed, therapy is something that continues to develop over time.
This page gives a sense of the areas I am exploring and how I continue to deepen my practice.
Current Training
I am currently engaged on training with the Welsh Psychotherapy Institute. The training is both academically rigorous and experiential, focusing not only on theory but on how therapy is lived and practised. The course includes four years of taught training, followed by a period of self-directed study and clinical development.
Membership of Professional Bodies
I am a trainee member of the UKCP (2011187146) and a student member of BACP (01033433).
Continuing Professional Development
Delivering Online Therapy – Introduction
I successfully completed the Open University course DGXS002. This is a course aimed at both trainees and trained psychotherapists who are working or wishing to work online. It covers both practical issues and ethical issues.
Delivering Online Therapy – Advanced
I successfully completed the Open University course DGXS001. This is a course aimed at both trainees and trained psychotherapists who are working or wishing to work online. This builds on the DGX002 introductory course and takes 25 hours.
Creating Safety and Connection with Trauma Clients
This two day course, led in-person by Deb Dana, introduced Polyvagal Theory and its application to trauma.
It was a real privilege to be taught directly by one of the co-creators of Polyvagal Theory.
Exploring Personality Adaptations in Relationships
This online, live, course was led by Vann Joines, who developed this aspect of psychotherapy. It explored how we develop ways of protecting ourselves by adapting to our environment. Some of these adaptations can continue into adult life in ways that are no longer helpful.
Mindfulness for Autism
This explored how mindfulness can be helpful for some autistic people, and also where it may not be appropriate.
Flash Technique for Trauma (PESI)
This six hour course explored using the flash technique to work with traumatised people.
Welsh Psychotherapy Institute Residential
This annual, 5-day course looks at themes of diversity and inclusion as well as global crisis anxiety and artificial intelligence. There are also extensive opportunities for reflection and group processing. It is available to all current students of WPI. I have attended 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
1 Day Internal Families Course
IFS is a powerfully transformative, evidence-based psychotherapy method that deepens self-awareness, self connection and self-compassion and metamorphosises the relationship with our self and with others. The mind is not monolithic but naturally multiple. Each of us has hurt, angry, critical and impulsive parts. This one day course led by Liz Brimacombe and Annzella Gregg offered a brief introduction.
Healthy Narcissism and The Shadow
This workshop offered a day of exploration of healthy narcissism—our right to be seen, valued, and take up space—alongside a deep dive into the shadow, the parts of ourselves we may deny, repress, or fear.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is an important part of working safely as a therapist, particularly where someone may be at risk of harm. I have taken part in safeguarding training with WPI (Spring 2023), New Pathways (Autumn 2023) group B course and WPI (July 2025).
Secret Agent of Shame
This one-day course, led by Gillian Downie and Martin Capps, explored the role of shame in the therapeutic relationship. It allowed us to explore our relationship to shame, to work through that shame, as well as looking at how it might affect our clients.
Money… The Tip of the Iceberg
This two-day course, led by Martin Capp and Catherine Havard, allowed for a discussion of money, our own attitude to it, as well as how it affects our lives, our clients’ lives and the sense of worthiness.
New Pathways Induction
New Pathways is a charity working with victims of sexual violence. In order to be ready to work with these clients, New Pathways runs an induction course that operates over 6 months. The course covered aspects such as: working safely with trauma, how sexual violence might be different for male victims, safeguarding, etc.
Importantly, there are live assessments both before the course and on completion of the course to ensure that this is the right work for you.
Free to be Me ADHD
This course looked at adaptations that can be useful when working with people with ADHD. It was in the process of doing this course that I realised that I might have ADHD as I recognised the adaptations as things that I already did in my life.
Marian Fry Lecture 2023 (Managing Your Blackness)
This day-long course was led by Dwight Turner and explored race in the context of a psychotherapeutic environment.
Marian Fry Lecture 2024 (The Enormity of Now)
This day-long course, led by Gaie Houston, looked at the many aspects of now. The ‘here and now’ is a major aspect of Gestalt therapy, as well as working with trauma clients. This amazing day looked at ways of exploring the “Now”.
Gaie Houston is one of my heroines, as she produces books that are short, have hand-drawn pictures in them, and are profound. It was wonderful to see her lead the day, aged 92.
It was also the last ever Marian Fry Lecture, so there was a degree of sadness present.
Working with Transgender and Gender Questioning Clients (NP)
This two-day course facilitated by New Pathways and led by Alex Drummond looked at various aspects of gender and how they might present in the therapy room. It particularly looked at ways to ensure that trans and gender questioning voices could be heard.
10 Day Silent Vipassana Course
The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results. https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/vipassana
I have also acted as a volunteer on the course… mainly drying dishes and cutlery.
Volunteer at WPI Open Day
I find that volunteering is one of the best ways to support mental health. Being able to do something with other people without expectation of reward is a liberating experience. I also realise that there is privilege in having the freedom to volunteer.
At the open day I was able to share my experience of training with other potential trainees and lead a short group exercise.
Other roles
In addition, I have held a post on the LGBTQ+ Research Group with New Pathways – this research project (2024-2025) with New Pathways and Umbrella Cymru explored the provision of care for victims of sexual violence who identify as LGBTQ+ in Wales. I have also been a research subject for various studies, including the role of humour in the therapy room, and training as a neurodivergent psychotherapist.
I have also run a monthly Zoom call for counsellors, coaches and psychotherapists who identify as LGBTQ in Wales. I was a facilitator in a New Pathways men’s group for post-counselling support of victims of sexual violence who identify as men.
I helped facilitate a group for WPI students who identify as men.
I am a member of several support groups.
Other Qualifications
In addition to the above qualifications I also hold:
BSc (Hons.) Dunelm – Bachelor of Science from the University of Durham in Physics
BTh (Hons.) Oxon. – Bachelor of Theology from the University of Oxford
D103 Foundation Unit in Social Science from the Open University
400m Swimming Certificate
Cycling Proficiency
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (2008) MCSE, charter member
Accessibility
I aim to make this website as accessible as possible, including the use of alt text, adjustable contrast, and clear structure.
If you encounter any difficulties, I would welcome feedback.
Preparation of the Website
I use AI tools in preparing parts of this website. I do so with care, ensuring that no client information is used and that all content is reviewed and take responsibility for what is published.
If you have thoughts or concerns about this, I am open to hearing them.
A Final Note
While this page outlines my training and development, what matters most is how we work together in the room.
Training supports that work, but the relationship itself is central.