Who I am
A recipe of personal and professional experience, skills and passions have fed into the creation of Therapy Kitchen. People and communities, how and why they tick, have been an abiding fascination; through my practice of teaching, cooking and talk-therapy, I have been able to develop this interest, whilst finding a place of usefulness in my community. Being able to express ourselves creatively and feel connected to our environment, are key aspects to our well being, which I focus on in my work, for myself and with others.
Career path
After a first degree in Anthropology, I completed teacher training, that I was able to fit around my family. Landing a job as drama specialist at a school for high functioning dyslexic and autistic spectrum pupils, I also learned about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Drama is a wonderfully flexible subject, lending itself to therapeutic input. After a break from secondary education, I returned to a new kitchen classroom, teaching adults domestic cookery. In the same year, I also began my training as a therapist. Whilst thoroughly enjoying these as discrete occupations, their compatibility and potential to feed into each other, quickly became apparent.
Currently
I am passionate about bringing possibility, potential and pleasure centre stage, abandoning notions of perfection, that get in the way life, love and good cooking. To this end, I am compiling a therapeutic cook book, based around imaginative, intuitive cooking and how this can inspire wider creative confidence in the world outside the kitchen (I’m told there is one…)
Qualifications
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Accredited Member British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
2016 -
2014
Foundation in Systemic Family Therapy, St Georges’ University Hospital, Tooting
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Psycho-dynamic Therapeutic Counselling PG Dip, Brighton University
2011 -
2008
Science Short Course – Understanding Human Nutrition, Open University
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Certificate in Teaching Children with Specific Learning Difficulties – Dyslexia. Roehampton Institute
2000 -
1991
BA (Hons) Anthropology and Sociology
