About me
I grew up in a working-class community in Northumberland, rooted in the history of the coal mining industry. Although most of the pits around my hometown of Ashington had closed by the time I was old enough to understand them, the influence of that heritage was still woven into my upbringing. The values of resilience, hard work, family and pride continued.
This helped shape my view of people. I learned that success is not always measured by wealth or status, and that some of the happiest people are those who remain connected to what truly matters to them. I learned from family the importance of kindness, gratitude and finding joy in everyday life.
People rarely change because somebody tells them what to do. They change because they begin to understand themselves differently.
Growing up, I saw how dignity and self-reliance can be strengths. I also came to understand that they can sometimes make it difficult for people to ask for help, especially with hidden struggles. I saw how powerful change can be when people find the courage to set aside doubt and allow themselves to be supported. When the need to keep going and focus on the practical issues gets
too much is when, ironically,
we might need to stop
and find the right
person to speak to.
Beneath confidence, achievement or outward success there can be self-doubt, shame, loss or uncertainty.
My own path has included periods of reflection, change and growth. In midlife,
I chose to step away from a successful leadership role, not because I could not do the job,
but because it was no longer aligned with the life I wanted to live. People rarely change
because somebody tells them what to do. They change because they begin to
understand themselves differently.
That belief sits at the heart of my counselling work and is one of the reasons I chose the name Ash Roots Counselling. While our experiences shape us, they do not have to define us. I believe people are capable of growth at any stage of life. Sometimes we simply need the right space, support and understanding to recognise possibilities we could not previously see.
It is a privilege to now offer others: a calm, genuine and accepting presence where you can explore your experiences freely, discover what matters most to you, and continue your own growth, rooted in acceptance.
I learned that people often carry far more than others realise
My qualifications and experience
Alongside my previous work and life experience, I trained as a counsellor through Levels 2, 3 and 4. Since beginning my counselling work, I have had the privilege of working with clients from a range of backgrounds and life stages.
I can't share personal details about the people I have supported because confidentiality is at the heart of counselling. However, I have been told by clients that they value the space I offer. Many valued being listened to in a way they have not experienced before while feeling safe enough to be honest, and having the opportunity to think about things differently.
Some have described my approach as calm, reassuring and thoughtful. Others have said that I help them notice things about themselves they had not considered before. For me, this is what counselling is about. Not telling people what to do, but creating the right conditions for people to understand themselves more clearly and find their own way forward.
