About Me

My Story

I have had many losses in my life including divorce, miscarriage, still birth, loss of home, trust and loss of purpose however the most traumatic was the loss of my daughter Mollie. Some of these losses I grieved for, others I did not give myself permission to do so. The grief I have been living with for the last 5 years was once totally all consuming and utterly life changing. I did not know how I would survive and neither was I sure I wanted to. I did not want my life to continue as to do so meant living a life without Mollie. Not only have I survived but I am living a life which has meaning and purpose and is full of Hope again. In my darkest of days I did not believe this was possible but slowly with the love and support of those around me and professional help I am Living with my Loss along side me and I am living a more fulfilled and enriched life that I could not have imagined 5 years ago.

Learning to live with my Grief, was truly at the heart of my healing. I know that grieving is unique to everyone. My grief began as a tsunami where I fought hard against it to stop myself from drowning. So I isolated myself, barely only existing enough to breathe my way through the early days, numbed in disbelief and utter despair.

Then came anger towards the medical profession followed by anger at myself and at God. The why’s came – why me, why her, why us, why was she taken so young? The what if’s, if there was a God why did he let this happen, why did he let her suffer so much? What if I had taken her to hospital sooner, what if she had got her transplant. I fell in and out of the stages of grief almost on a daily basis and some days all at once.

I did not get an answer to my what, why’s and if’s, though in time and with the support of my family I realised I needed to seek professional help. Eventually I came to a place of acceptance. I allowed my tears to do the job they were designed to do, and I still do.

Reaching a place of acceptance still wasn’t enough for me, there was still something missing. In the last few years I have begun to find meaning and purpose through my loss. I could not have come to this place without the additional love and support of my family and friends.

There was courage in making myself vulnerable and opening up to a stranger. Asking for help was a turning point in my grieving.

Therapy Qualifications & Experience

I practice Cognitive Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching. This is a new and flexible therapeutic approach that combines principles of neuroscience alongside the best and most effective elements of Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Gestalt Therapy, Evolutionary & Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Hypnotherapist Practitioner Diploma (HPD)

Awarded by the NCH

Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Awarded by the Quest Institute

Registered Nurse for 30+ years within the NHS

Incl: A&E / Midwifery / Teenage Cancer Unit

Applied Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (AMDR)

ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Ollie Coach therapeutically trained to work with young people and adults

Fully Insured / Enhanced DBS & affiliated with the QCHPA

I Get It

Having experienced a range of life changing loses I know the pain.

Compassionate

Not only compassionate but I know the need for developing self-compassion.

Highly Skilled

Qualified and accredited in Cognitive Hypnotherapy & Life Coaching