Team

I joined CLEAR as Chief Executive in June 2019 and am proud to be part of a team that makes such a difference. My background is in business development, external relations and fundraising – working across the public, private and voluntary sectors. As Chief Executive my role is to lead the charity ensuring that we deliver our objectives in a way that is transparent, safe, sustainable and inclusive.

As Clinical Adult Lead I help to look after all of our wonderful counsellors and therapists for the adult service at CLEAR. I work hard behind the scenes to improve the experience for people who work for and access CLEAR. I am also a Counselling Psychologist and I offer EMDR sessions. It is such a privilege to do my job and be part of a charity that helps to improve people’s quality of life. I am passionate about improving the provision of trauma-based therapies in Cornwall and about working towards a world where everyone can get the support they need in a timely manner. What I love about working for CLEAR is being a part of such a compassionate and caring service that is dedicated to providing the highest standard of service for people.

Clinical Lead - Children and Young People

I am Person-centred trained and work integratively. I’ve been a counsellor for 18 years and a counselling supervisor for 10 years with a specialism in domestic abuse, childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence, and a background in teaching and supporting trainee counsellors. I am passionate about supervision and the learning environment being a supportive space where we can all learn, expand and create. I have a key interest in self-harm and have recently set-up a new counselling service in Cornwall called Hope for Harm

I have worked in the field of education and therapy for over twenty years. My love of psychology, philosophy and therapy has led me to facilitate and encourage young people and adults to gain their needed qualifications, and to expand their self-belief. More recently, I have designed bespoke workshops supporting emotional wellbeing, effective communication, and resilience. A lifelong learner, I am currently studying for my MA in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Practice and this is providing further support for my therapeutic work with children and young people who have experienced trauma. The use of a creative approach in this area is something that I am passionate about and is reflected in the post-qualifying diploma that is offered by CLEAR. I feel very privileged and excited to be part of the incredible CLEAR team.

For 27 years after leaving college, I was a journalist working in the North-West, mainly in and around Liverpool. I loved the job, covered some massive stories and met some brilliant people including the Hillsborough families. In fact, I never considered doing anything else until I grew increasingly tired and frustrated with celebrity and lifestyle ‘news’. In 2012 I took voluntary redundancy, moved to Cornwall to live with my partner Clare (now my wife) and studied for a post-16 teaching qualification. I thought I would probably end up teaching journalism to further and higher education students. That lasted for all of five minutes. Instead, I taught English to foreign language students, worked in a special needs school, did support work and led a restorative justice project before I finally found my calling five years ago, supporting unemployed people back into work, training and education. It’s a great feeling to have covered so many major stories as a journalist, but it’s a better feeling to help people achieve much more than they consider themselves capable of.

My journey in the support of others is still in its infancy. I have spent the past 4 years studying psychology and sociology among other aspects of the support and care sector. I will be finishing my studies (for the time being) in the summer of 2022. While completing my degree I have worked for an organisation that supports the community, including many street homeless individuals, who struggle with poverty and food insecurity. I am now looking forward to a new challenge and excited by the prospect of becoming a member of the CLEAR team and training in new subjects. I enjoy working with all people and believe happiness is found in the service of others.

I have worked for over 40 years in the Health Service, British Industry, Education, the Church of England and now for the Charity CLEAR. I joined CLEAR over a year ago and feel greatly privileged to work with such a wonderfully dedicated group of people whose compassion and kindness never cease to amaze me. With my background in administration I am able to support the therapists/counsellors and keep all the office processes running smoothly. I work closely with the CEO, Carolyn to achieve the best working environment to help the charity provide this essential and service to our community.

Referrals Coordinator

Admin Assistant

Music therapy is a way of identifying, exploring and processing emotions. When we listen or participate in music, we are activating so many different parts of the brain. It can help with language and movement; it can trigger memories and visual images and it can enable our feelings to be heightened. In my sessions we might listen to your favourite music and think about what it sounds like or what it feels like. We might make our own music, whether that be using instruments, our voices or technology; loops, beats etc. I have been a therapist for 7 years and before that I was a professional musician. I have lived and worked in South Africa, Rwanda and all over the UK. Cornwall is my home now and I love visiting the beach when the waves are terrifyingly high and the rain is falling sideways. Unsurprisingly, I also love music!

I’ve been involved with CLEAR for some time now as a Gestalt Sessional Counsellor, Equine Therapist, Trainer and Clinical Supervisor. I enjoy the compassion and commitment of the team.

I qualified as a Drama and Movement Therapist (Sesame Approach) in 2010 and joined CLEAR in 2012. I specialise in work with children and young people who have experienced abusive relationships and women during pregnancy and early motherhood, including parent child work with mothers and babies together. Within sessions I adopt a client led approach, working in the moment to meet the changing needs of the client/s. Sessions can include, movement play, story creation and enactment, work with myth and fairytales, character work, creative writing, talking, board games, art work, outdoor nature work and movement with touch and sound. I run 1:1, group, family and parent/child sessions.

I have worked for CLEAR for 5 years and am amazed constantly by the resilience and skills of our team and young people that we work with. I like working with children using any creative language they wish to use, dance, movement , music, art, story telling. A young person once described me as an eagle with an ability to view life from many different perspectives. I am a researcher and interested in how the physicality of therapists and clients can act as a source of information and self-care. Moving work online in the covid19 crisis has meant as therapists we’ve had to revision ways of working safely online with children, parents and families. I have a family (permission given to share this info) in which mum and child are creating a ‘wibbly wobbly’ road map by collaging, a feelings and events map as creative meaning making through the child’s eyes and experience.

After several years teaching in the primary and comprehensive sector, I left teaching to pursue a career in business. Following the sale of my business I relocated to Cornwall with my family and trained as a person-centred counsellor. I have worked as a counsellor for over ten years and specialise in helping support those who have experienced trauma, whatever it is and however it has been caused. Working at CLEAR, I am fortunate to be able to work with children/young people and adult clients. I describe myself as a WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get. A nine-year-old client once looked at me said, “I know you, you’re a child pretending to be an adult”. This was by far, the greatest compliment I have ever received.

I qualified in 2011 and run a private practice with adult clients. In 2016/17 I was thrilled to be in the first group to train in the Post Qualifying Diploma with CLEAR working therapeutically with children and young people and have worked with CLEAR for two years. I am an artist and have a Fine Art degree and an NVQ 3 in Arts Development and Teaching. I also have taught Tai chi / Qigong classes for almost 30 years. I work very creatively through a combination of talking therapy, art and play. I also have many years experience in meditation and can offer mindfulness /movements to help with anxiety and feeling more steady, if appropriate. I encourage expanding emotional vocabulary and building self-esteem, and confidence. I really enjoy the variety of working with children and young people, being playful, creative and supportive and constantly adapting to different ages, stages and personalities.

A warm welcome. I have wide experience counselling many people with a range of concerns, including many years helping people who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual abuse and rape, and a range of experiencing that can be termed trauma. I'm BACP Accredited Counsellor (Registered Member MBACP (Accred)) & Graduate Member of The British Psychological Society (MBPsS) with a First Class Honours Degree in Counselling Studies, and Honours Degree in Psychology, and Masters Degree (MA Ed.) My background is in health and education, and I integrate all my experiences, learning & ongoing development into my practice. I offer a person-centred integrative approach where each individual's own unique growth, development & experiencing is of primary concern. It is a person to person relating focused upon you & your concerns. My approach values open hearted, open minded & respectful working in an ethically supportive, boundaried, non-judgemental & compassionate counselling therapy working relationship with you. It is a non-directive collaborative approach in which individuals have potential & responsibility to come to their own decisions in their own ways.

Hi my name is Una, I use a Person Centred approach to counselling. I work creatively to ensure my clients are provided with a safe space where they feel comfortable explore both past and or present issues. I am passionate about providing care and support for those who may need it. Over 25 years I have provided support for children, young people and adults. These individuals and families have experienced a wide range of issues. Many have suffered from emotional trauma, or have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. I have an empathetic approach, providing an environment where individuals can talk freely without judgment and feel like they have been heard. I am a compassionate person who supports individuals to develop strategies that will have a positive outcome for them.

Play Therapy is a psycho-therapeutic approach used with children to help them process their feelings about difficult life experiences. As a Play Therapist I work with a child to explore and resolve problems. I provide various toys and mediums that encourage the safe expression of feelings and which also support the development of healthier behaviour. Using Play and creativity allows a non-verbal way of processing past experiences or traumatic events in a safe, contained therapeutic environment. In childhood play is a natural process of communication and a vital part of growth and development. I have worked with children and young people since 2001. Initially I was a volunteer counsellor with a national children’s helpline and I then worked as a therapist with a local charity in the West Midlands helping children and young people who were experiencing grief, due to bereavement or parental separation. The model of therapy I utilise is Non-directive Therapeutic play. This approach is child-centred and enables the child to build a trusting and therapeutic relationship with the therapist and additionally offers the child or young person the freedom to express themselves in a variety of creative ways, such as games, puppets, art, clay, sand, storytelling and music, and as well as therapy, includes LOTS OF FUN. I have been working with Clear since October 2014. I am a registered member of Play Therapy UK and BACP. I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Childhood and Youth Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma (with distinction) in Play Therapy awarded but Play Therapy UK.

I originally trained in the field of Theatre and Arts Management, specialising in using creative arts as a medium to enhance children and young people’s wellbeing. My career has progressed from working as a volunteer in several organisations, such as an assistant to the play therapist team at the Royal Cornwall hospital, a young person’s support worker at Dreadnought and worked as a children’s support worker in a women’s refuge and with young addicts. I may initially be appointed to work with a child, however on occasions I find myself being an advocate for the whole family, ensuring all voices are heard, supporting the whole family in a holistic manner.

I am a professionally trained Integrative Therapist and am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I have been working as a therapist for over 10 years and with CLEAR since 2016. I became a therapist through being a client myself and experiencing first-hand the positive impact therapy and the therapeutic relationship can have. During my time at CLEAR, I have watched clients lives become easier and less emotionally burdened, giving a sense of freedom and acceptance. Seeing a client open up to new possibilities, perceptions and potential is amazing. I understand that trauma can affect different people in different ways which is why I use a number of different approaches from talking, to using creative ways such as drawing and sand tray work to help a client process their trauma. I aim to offer a a grounded presence where you can begin to explore your trauma while feeling safe, listened to and acknowledged.

I now have over 800 hours experience working with adults who have suffered rape and sexual abuse. I also support clients going through the prosecution process using Pre-trial Therapy. Additionally I have counselled parents as they address sexual abuse that their children have experienced. I have an understanding of the grooming behaviour of a perpetrator which was valuable when I worked on the "Protective Partners Programme" a course designed to keep children safe and delivered to parents whose partners have committed sexual offences.

In 2011 I joined the creative, compassionate and clinically specialist team at Clear. I studied Illustration in Falmouth then Art Therapy in Derby. My role in Clear is Art Therapist working with children and young people. I have contributed to Clear’s accredited Diploma Course, Equine therapy pilot, Positive Relationships & Emotional Wellbeing program and group therapy projects. Along the way I have worked in the NHS with adults in the Learning Disability Service and the Mental Health Service.

I offer a confidential, non-judgmental space where any difficulties can be explored safely. I have a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling; my approach is person-centred which has acceptance, authenticity and empathy at it’s heart. I have trained and worked with Cornwall Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and REACH, and have. particular expertise in supporting clients who have experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and work within their Ethical Framework.

Adult Sessional Counsellor

Find out more aboout Rio here: https://https://clearsupport.net/news/rio-the-therapy-dog

Hello, I have had the privilege to be engaged in working alongside children, teenagers and young adults for the past 30 years, firstly as a teacher and now as play and creative arts therapist. My aim everyday is to provide a safe, nurtur-ing, empathetic environment where children of all ages can come and ‘play out’ what is needed to fulfil their full potential. I am trained to use play and the creative arts as a means for understanding and communicating with children about feel-ings, thoughts and behaviour, through Play Therapy UK and BACP. The nature of my work means I am continuing to engage in extensive training in subjects such as child devel-opment, attachment (the bonding process) and trauma. When not working you will find me dancing, walking my three dogs and probably engaging in more dancing.

I am a qualified Integrative Therapist registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I have worked both face to face and remotely with many people who have experienced trauma, particularly with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I also practice privately from my office in CarbisBay, St. Ives with young people, adults and couples. I draw on a range of therapeutic models to support each client in a person centred way which aims to build a strong therapeutic relationship with clients to support them to achieve their personal goals. I am also a qualified Reflexologist and Reiki practitioner.

As a Person-Centred practitioner, Empathy, Acceptance and Honesty are at the core of my practice. I bring a warmth to the counselling room which allows my clients a safe place to explore whatever they bring. In viewing each person as an individual we create a unique process where, through active listening, healing can occur. BA (Hons) in Counselling (1st class) and Diploma in Counselling

After many years supporting adults, young people and children, in various roles within schools, community and mental health settings, I think I was always working towards the role I now have, and love, with Clear. Whilst my core approach is Person Centred, integrating Trauma Focused CBT into my work enables me to build on the relational support I offer clients by helping them understand how trauma has affected the way they think and feel, and how we can work together to help them live a happier, more fulfilled life in the future. My life-long love of reading led me to train as a Shared Reading facilitator and I now use this approach with the Clear Men’s group. Through listening to stories and poems read aloud, group members reflect on their own thoughts and feelings in response to the texts and one another.

I aim to provide a warm, safe, and confidential space for my clients to explore what they are thinking and how they are feeling. My core approaches are Attachment, Humanistic/Relational, Psychodynamic, and Transactional Analysis. My Integrative training ensures I remain open to the needs of my clients. I am guided by my clients, so the sessions are focused on their therapeutic needs. Being a registered member of the BACP, I follow their Ethical Framework to ensure I work with clients ethically and safely. I am also committed to ongoing Continual Professional Development. In my personal life, I enjoy going to the gym, swimming, and walking along the Cornish coast. I am also a keen photographer.