I’m here to help you feel less stuck, more whole, and genuinely supported.

I’m Lynda, a slightly sweary, down-to-earth therapist who genuinely cares.

I’ve been in this work in one way or another for over 30 years.

I started out as a nurse, and I’ve spent two decades in the NHS, voluntary and care sectors, supporting people through emotional distress and trauma.

But if I’m honest, this work is also personal. 

I’ve been through my own therapy journey after surviving significant childhood trauma.

It was long. It was hard. It changed everything.

The relationship I had with my therapist all those years ago, taught me that healing is possible, and that the right relationship can make all the difference.

That’s what I offer my clients now:

A space that feels safe enough to be real in. Where there’s trust, honesty, kindness, and a bit of humour too. Where you don’t have to explain or justify yourself. Where you can show up as you are; messy, anxious, brilliant, angry, numb, whoever and however you are that day, and know you’ll be met with respect and care.

Oh, and I’ve got a soft spot for dogs…

If you’re interested in my professional qualifications, continued professional development, and professional memberships, you can find the details below. 

Non therapy qualifications

Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing)

Therapy qualifications:

• Diploma in Hypnotherapy (1 year)
• Diploma in Counselling Skills (1 year)
• Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (1 year)
• Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis (1 year)
• Post Graduate Diploma (Level 7) Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy: Transactional Analysis (4 Years) 

Current continued professional development:

• Complex Trauma Certification Levels One and Two, with Janina Fisher
• IFS Online Circle; Foundations of the IFS Model (Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS Institute)
• Working with Self Destructive Behaviours (Lisa Ferentz)
• The Neurobiology of Feeling Safe (Juliane Taylor Shore)
• ADHD Clinical Services Provider
• Member of Carolyn Springs Professional Trauma Recovery Community

Completed professional development:

• Using Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to Treat Complex Trauma, with Pat Ogden & Tracy Jarvis (2024)
• Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop, with Janina Fisher (2024)
• Somatic Trauma Therapy; 84hrs professional training completed with Babette Rothschild (2024).
• Using the MID (Multi-Dimensional Inventory of Dissociation) – a validated and reliable client self reporting tool, to diagnose dissociative disorders, and to better understand dissociation and dissociative processes from the experiencers perspective – see below:
• Introduction to dissociation and the MID: Definitions and Foundations for Assessment
• Integrating the MID into Clinical Practice
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Body Oriented Therapy
• Techniques for Trauma and Attachment (Pat Ogden)
• Trauma: Practical Mind-Body Strategies to Heal Trauma and Foster Resilience.
• Treating Trauma, Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders (Kathy Steele).
• Calming the Anxious Brain: Three Essential Strategies.
• The Meaning of Shame in the Treatment of Trauma.
• Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Transformational Approaches to Treating Complex Trauma (Janina Fisher).
• Trauma Summit 2020 (Action Trauma).
• Trauma and Dissociation: Essential Skills for Working Online.
• Internal Family Systems Therapy: Essentials for working with anxiety, substance misuse and trauma.
• Certificate in Gender Diversity, Part One and Two (Liza Heatley).
• Beyond Pronouns: What Non Binary Clients Want You To Know (Trans Affirming Therapists Academy).
• Moving Your Practice Online (Online Therapy Institute).
• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling – 80hrs (Counselling Tutor).
• Foundations in Email Counselling – 25hrs (Email Counselling Academy).
• Conference: Women & Mental Health (Harmless).
• Conference: Self Harm & Suicide (Harmless).
• Conference: Sex & Sexuality (TA North East).
• Conference: Working with Dissociative Disorders in Clinical Practice (Carolyn Spring).
• Conference: Dissociation; The Fundamentals (Carolyn Spring).
• Conference: Dealing with Distress; Working with Suicide and Self Harm (Carolyn Spring).

Professional memberships

I belong to a variety of professional membership bodies, and trauma focussed professional groups, which are listed here.

• Registered Clinical Member of the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
• Accredited Member of the NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society)
• Member of the UKATA (UK Association for Transactional Analysis)
• Member of the EATA (European Association for Transactional Analysis)
• Member of the ESTD (European Society for Trauma and Dissociation)
• Professional member of Carolyn Springs’ Trauma Recovery Community
• Member of Action Trauma

Both the UKCP and NCPS are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. This is part of the Accredited Registers programme. The PSA is an independent body, accountable to Parliament, and set up by the Department of Health and Social Care.