About me

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I’ve listed my qualifications below, as it’s helpful to have the context of someone’s training and background. But I believe what a practitioner brings to their work is always more than a list of credentials - it’s the essence of who they are: their presence, their lived experience, and the quality of the relationship they cultivate.

I hope to always bring integrity, authenticity, and a celebration of the earthy messiness of being human. I have lived experience of both mental and physical health challenges, and I believe these form an important part of the medicine I offer as a practitioner.

Ultimately, I believe the most important factor in whether I’m the right person to work with you is the quality of our relationship. So I’d recommend we have an informal chat  first- a space for you to ask questions and get a feel for whether we’re a good fit.

I have completed three years training in Applied Ecopsychology with Natural Academy and I am an accredited ecotherapy and eco-depth practitioner. I am also an accredited NatureWell practitioner: an evidence-based nature connection programme for health and wellbeing. I am also a member of the Nature and Health Practice Network, a UK body for nature based practitioners, and I follow their practice guidelines.

Qualifications:

• Level 4 - Advanced Pathway Applied Ecopsychology and Nature-Based Practice (2 years advance practice training - Natural Academy, Bristol)
• Level 3 - Ecopsychology and Nature Connection Facilitator (1 year foundation training - Natural Academy, Bristol)
• Accredited NatureWell practitioner (Natural Academy, Bristol)
• Level 3 - Foundation in Counselling (Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dartington)

I am also registred with the HCPC as an occupational therapist, and have 18 years' experience of working with adults in the NHS as an occupational therapist. I worked with diverse groups of people including those who have long-term complex health conditions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions including stroke and brain injury, mental health difficulties, older adults and individuals diagnosed with dementia. Prior to working as an occupational therapist I was a mental health support worker for four years. 

I am currently insured to work as an ecotherapist and I am DBS checked. I have professional supervision, peer supervision as well as personal therapy to ensure my practice is safe and up to date. I have an up-to-date outdoor first aid qualification. I have also completed training as a shamanic practitioner, Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) training, and Reiki levels 1 & 2. I am a member of OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids), and although earth-based spirituality and animism infuse my work I am led by your individual spiritual beliefs. 

In addition to the above experience and qualifications I am committed to my ongoing personal and professional development and have completed the following courses/workshops:

October 2024-February 2025 - Journey through the feminine archetypes, Agata Krajewska, Theatre of Awakening

October 2023 - March 2024 - Soul Pilgrimage - a monthly Soul Craft nature-based group co-led by guides - Rebecca Card (Nature Wisdom) and Claire Milne (Starter Culture)

October 2023 BFA accredited Level 1 Introduction to Focusing, Paula Charnley

July 2023 Eco-somatics, summer workshop, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust

March 2023 Pesso Boyden Residential Experiential Workshop, Juliet Grayson, NCIP accredited course

March 2023 Working with sounds and silience in ecotherapy, Tariki Trust

21st-25th July 2022 - The way of council and the art of mirroing, Animus Valley Institute and Nature Wisdom

June 2022 Leading accessible sensory nature walks, Sense

April-June 2022 Eco-somatics, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust

March 2022 Mapping relationships using natural objects, Tariki Trust

March 2022 Eco-somatics, spring workshop, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust

November 2021 - Writing from earth's landscapes, Tariki Trust 

October 2021 - February 2022 - Elemental Eros (spiral one), Dancing Serpent Mystery School

February 2021 - Introduction to Soul Craft, Animus Valley Institute and Embercombe