Before moving into higher education, I spent several years working within a therapeutic community, supporting children and young people in residential care. My role also involved providing therapeutic support, guidance and psychoeducation to professionals working with young people who had experienced significant adversity and trauma. During this time, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Teenagers, which further developed my knowledge and understanding of working therapeutically with young people.
In 2019, I returned to the University of Staffordshire to complete my MSc in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. It was during my dissertation that I discovered a real passion for research, particularly autoethnography, reflexivity and exploring lived experience. I thoroughly enjoyed being back at university, so much so that when a lecturing opportunity arose in 2021, I decided to apply. I was delighted to be offered the position and have been teaching on the counselling programmes ever since. It feels rather special to now be teaching at the university where I completed my own training.
Alongside my lecturing role, I have a particular interest in fertility counselling, having completed specialist foundation training with the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA). I also work as a counsellor for a national fertility clinic, supporting individuals and couples as they navigate the often complex and emotionally challenging experiences associated with fertility. For over seven years, I volunteered with Fertility Network UK, facilitating online support groups for those experiencing secondary infertility, something I feel particularly passionate about.
I am currently in my second year of a PhD, exploring the lived experiences of women and couples navigating secondary infertility, with a particular interest in the psychological and emotional impact on individuals, relationships and wider family life. My research brings together my interests in fertility counselling, lived experience and reflexive research.
Outside of work and studying, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling and exploring new places. I also enjoy running with my three cockapoos, paddleboarding and getting out on my motorbike whenever I have the opportunity!
Professional memberships and activities
- British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy
- British Infertility Counselling Assocation
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Academic qualifications
- MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling - University of Staffordshire
- Post Graduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education - University of Staffordshire
- Post Graduate Diploma Counselling Teenagers - The Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling - University of Stirling
- BA (Hons) Corporate Communication - Queen Margaret University College
Expertise
- Fertility counselling, with a particular interest in secondary infertility and its psychological, emotional and relational impact.
- Supporting individuals and couples experiencing fertility-related challenges.
- Therapeutic work with young people and adults.
- Counselling education, professional development and reflective practice.
- The development of therapeutic identity, self-awareness and ethical practice in counselling training.
Research interests
- Fertility and infertility, with a particular interest in the lived experiences of women and couples navigating secondary infertility.
- The psychological and emotional wellbeing of young people.
- Autoethnography, heuristic inquiry and reflexive approaches to qualitative research, with a particular interest in exploring and understanding lived experience.
Teaching
I teach across a range of counselling programmes, from our Level 2 Counselling Skills and Level 4 Certificate courses through to the Professional Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. I particularly enjoy supporting students at different stages of their training and professional development, encouraging them to develop their own therapeutic identity, deepen their self-awareness and grow in confidence as reflective and ethical practitioners.