About Frances

My passion is for supporting individuals and couples to find their full potential

I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself.

It took me a long time to find my voice but now I have, I want to use my lived experience to enable other people to find their voice. I believe feeling truly heard and understood is the first step towards self acceptance and living an authentic life.

Having recovered from decades of struggles with depression and an eating disorder I see the importance of having support from people who have lived experience who fully understand what it’s like to fight for a life worth living.

About Frances

Having a late diagnosis of autism, my experiences of the mental health system has shaped my views of what good support looks like. I understand how acknowledging the roots causes of my issues helped me build healthier relationships in all aspects of my life.

To counsel someone struggling with issues such as identity or overwhelming emotions is a privilege. I bring empathy, compassion and passion for justice to my work. While I advocate for change at a governmental level, I believe real change happens between individuals in relationship. Counselling isn’t just about listening but enabling individuals and couples to bring about the changes that mean the most to them.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my cats, knitting, running and kayaking with my husband. I know a relationship with nature and a spiritual understanding of the world can bring healing. I love counselling from my home in Basingstoke where we look out over our garden and enjoy the multitude of birds that visit.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Frances

About Frances’ training

Frances has a background in medicine, having qualified as a doctor in 2005, she has also worked in various allied health professional roles. She brings this varied experience to the counselling room to support her clients to have a well-rounded experience throughout the counselling journey. Her counselling qualifications include:

  • CPCAB level 4 diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – Basingstoke College of Technology
  • NCIP accredited advanced certificate in Couples Therapy – Juliet Grayson

Frances keeps herself up to date with Continuing Professional Development. She has completed training on the following topics, including, but not limited to:

  • Understanding neurodivergence including SPD and PDA
  • Compassion focus therapy for eating disorders
  • Working with developmental trauma
  • Understanding adverse childhood events
  • Understanding shame
  • Working with the marginalised in society
  • Prevent, safeguarding and GDPR

About Frances’ writing and speaking

While counselling is Frances main passion, she’s also an advocate in all things mental health and autism related. She has written extensively for Metro and on her personal blog MindfulSurvivor. You will also find lots of useful articles she’s written related to counselling here. Frances is also currently writing a book that aims, not only to educate people on the autistic experience but to support those with similar experiences feel less alone.

Frances has spoken at multiple events including with the BACP to share her knowledge and expertise about neurodiversity. Frances aims to inspire others towards a more inclusive approach to counselling.

If you’re interested in Frances writing for your publication or speaking at an event, please use this contact form.

About Frances’ recognition

Frances hard work and dedication to the world of counselling has been recognised with the following awards:

If Frances sounds like someone you would like to work with, please use this contact form.