I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work as a senior mental health practitioner with children and young people in school, deliver trauma therapy in private practice and work as a consultant specialising in issues related to domestic abuse.

My Fellowship looked at the use of performing arts, including drama, dance, movement and music, to support recovery from trauma. I travelled to the USA and visited a range of projects, services and organisations, all using the arts in different ways and working with a broad range of people affected by trauma.

I was interested in this area because I have a personal interest in performing arts and have worked for many years supporting people affected by trauma, abuse and adversity. Since returning from my Fellowship I have been involved in setting up a music therapy service in a domestic abuse refuge, developing a therapeutic singing group for people affected by trauma, and delivered trauma therapy to frontline keyworkers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

I learned so much from my Fellowship, and feel I have gained invaluable knowledge to help diversify the support available to people affected by trauma.