About Me

After a decade of making TV programmes for the BBC I left and became a freelance writer.

When my second son started school I decided to go back to my psychology roots [I had a degree in psychology] and I trained to be a counsellor.

My background means I'm used to helping people to feel at ease talking about themselves which is a good starting point for counselling.

By carefully listening and by being non-judgmental I will support you to work out what you would like to change and how to make those changes.

I now have a private practice offering short [even one-off sessions] and long term online counselling to adults ie 18+.

I can help you with a range of issues - see How Can I Help You? In particular I have lived experience of rare disability and I am the parent of a disabled child; I also have specialist experience and knowledge of disability, carer, health, student, and gender dysphoria issues, and I am LGBTQIA2S+ affirmative.

I have previously worked for the University of Exeter Wellbeing Service, the Margaret Jackson Centre, as a Specialist Counsellor at The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic in Exeter, and for the NHS working with adults who were mainly referred from the Depression and Anxiety Service [DAS] in Newton Abbot, in Devon.

My qualifications and training

I am an Accredited Member of the BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – the professional organisation for counsellors. My BACP registration number is 185778, you can click on this link to find my name on their register: www.bacpregister.org.uk/check_register/

I am also a Professional Member of ACTO [Association for Counselling and Therapy Online]: https://acto-org.uk/therapists/emma-west/

BSc [Hons] 2:1 in Psychology [1988-1991]
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Level 4, Exeter College [2012-14]
Creative Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT], Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy [Sept 2014 - Feb 2015]
Online Counselling Skills, OCST [Online Counselling Services & Training] [May - July 2016].

I have also done many short courses including:

Mind Management Skills for Life: www.chimpmanagement.com 8 workshop programme
Working with trauma that has become stuck, Carolyn Spring
Goals in Therapy: Actualising Our Deepest Directions, Mick Cooper
Single Session Therapy - SST Demonstrations & Questions, Windy Dryden
Single Session Therapy - Doubts & Reservations, Windy Dryden
Existential Contributions to Counselling and Psychotherapy, Mick Cooper
Working with trauma in a time of trauma, Carolyn Spring
Healing Trauma Summit, 2018, Sounds True
Working with Dissociative Disorders in Clinical Practice, PODS - Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors
Anger Management, Citizen Coaching
Trauma and the Body: Somatisation and Dissociation, PODS
Working with Families and Couples: Systemic Ideas in Practice within The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic, facilitated by Amy Urry, Family Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor
Child Sexual Abuse, PODS
Trauma, Dissociation and Recovery, PODS
The Man Who Needed His Headaches [Psychosomatic disorders], Somerset Counselling Centre
Relational Depth and Emotional Connection in Online Therapy, BACP Webcast: OCTIA 2016
Raising Self Esteem, Relate
Introduction to Mindfulness, Part 2, Relate
Sexual Abuse and Related Issues, SAL - Rape and Sexual Abuse Line
Tackling Domestic Violence and Abuse, adva – Against Domestic Violence and Abuse

I love reading and I am a prolific reader of counselling related books so if you like reading too I’d be happy to recommend books which you might find helpful.