About Dragonfly Counselling Service

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I am a qualified psychodynamic counsellor who is available to work with both children and adults.  I have a practice based in Tyldesley which has counselling space for adults and a counselling/therapeutic play room for children. 

For 25 years I have worked in  Education as both a Class Teacher and more recently as a Deputy Head Teacher in Primary  and Special Needs Schools.   Despite my love for this role, I felt that the time was right for me to take a new direction in my life, and to utilise my knowledge, skills and personality; in becoming a counsellor. 

The vast majority of my time has been spent working with children with Special Educational Needs, and their families.   Many of my additional qualifications in education relate to understanding and supporting those with neurodiversity, particularly Autism. 

Due to my 25 years of working with children in an education setting, I am well versed in how to build relationships and engage with children in the way that is appropriate for them.  I have re-trained to learn the skills required to put this experience into a therapeutic setting.   As much of my work with children was supporting those with additional needs, I am experienced in understanding different methods of communicating, interacting and working with children with a range of needs, including those with Autistic Spectrum Condition. 

My 25 years in schools has also required me to work very closely with adults in a coaching, mentoring and supportive role.   Consequently, I have been able to transfer these skills into my therapy practice in order to support others.  My ethos as a senior leader was always to support the mental health and wellbeing of all the school community and to provide a listening ear for anyone who required.  Consequently, I retrained in order to gain the skills and knowledge required to become a professional counsellor. 

My own challenges throughout life brought me to seek  counselling at various points, and the opportunity to understand first hand how empowering it can be to access therapy.  Consequently,  I made the decision to    re-train and use my own experiences to support others in their time of challenge and need.   

I previously volunteered for a counselling charity, where I worked with both teenagers and adults who were dealing with a range of issues.