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 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.

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.

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 am a Heath and Care Professions Council Registered Dramatherapist. I am trained in the Sesame Approach to Drama and Movement Therapy and graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2010. I have worked with a number of client groups including, women during pregnancy and early motherhood, the army community and children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing abusive relationships. In addition to my clinical work I have facilitated and given presentations at several Dramatherapy Conferences, written articles for my professional journal and been involved as the Dramatherapist on the project Child Talk run by Bristol Speech and Language Trust Research Unit. I have been with CLEAR since 2012. Since then my work has centred mainly around running 1:1 and family sessions for children and young people, with a focus on early years and parent child work. Whilst with CLEAR I have helped to design and write the CLEAR Diploma in Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People and I was lead tutor on the course for the first cohort of students. I also helped to develop and to facilitate on the CLEAR Healthy Relationships project in secondary schools across Cornwall. I am currently working for CLEAR to develop and run a pilot project for women during the pregnancy and early motherhood who have experienced abusive relationships. My therapeutic approach is client led so I adapt what I am doing within the sessions to meet the changing needs of the client. Where possible I try to encompass their interests into the work. My sessions often include, movement, storytelling and creation, imaginative play, use of cloth, discussion, art work, physical play, board games and healthy, appropriate touch. I am also keen to make use of Cornwall’s many beautiful outdoor spaces and where appropriate I like to run sessions outdoors, making use of the natural environment.

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.

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.

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 trauma. I'm a BACP Accredited Counsellor (Registered Member MBACP (Accred)) and a Graduate Member of The British Psychological Society (MBPsS.) I have a First Class Honours Degree in Counselling Studies, and an Honours Degree in Psychology, and a Masters Degree (MA Ed.) I offer a person-centred integrative approach. I value each individual having the potential for growth and change. I offer a human to human relating focused upon you the person and your concerns throughout your counselling therapy. I integrate all my experiences, learning and ongoing development into my practice. My approach values open hearted and open minded working therapy relationship with you, and is a non-directive collaborative approach in which individuals have power and 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 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 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.

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.

On a personal note my initial professional career was teaching modern languages but I quickly realised I wanted to work in the counselling field. I undertook a CBT Training and later added a Person Centred training. I returned to teaching in the mid 90s as a senior lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies at Uclan in Lancashire and, after moving to Cornwall, I undertook Plymouth University programme lead for a counselling degree delivered at a partner College. My therapeutic work in trauma has been extensive supporting clients, training/teaching students and providing supervision.