My story and approach

Discover the heart behind Maisonstori Counselling and Psychotherapy. Learn about my journey, my unique therapeutic approach, and the guiding principles that shape every session.

My journey and unique approach

I am an experienced, qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor offering a warm, grounded and compassionate space for people who want to understand themselves more deeply and create meaningful change in their lives.

My path into psychotherapy comes after a 40‑year career in the NHS, where I worked as a registered nurse and midwife across the South West, London, the Midlands and Yorkshire. I was fortunate to take early retirement and begin a new chapter — one that builds naturally on my lifelong commitment to supporting people through some of the most significant and vulnerable moments of their lives.

Throughout my NHS career, I worked closely with women, families, teams, individuals and within complex organisations. These roles deepened my understanding of how people cope, and gave me insight into the moments when their capacity to manage pressure began to falter, how relationships shape us, and how essential it is to feel seen, supported and understood. I bring this depth of experience into my therapeutic work, offering clients a steady, attuned presence and a real understanding of the emotional landscapes they may be navigating.

My personal life has been just as formative. I have lived through the highs and lows of marriage, divorce, parenting and being the central anchor for my children, grandchildren, aging parents and siblings. I know what it means to hold responsibility, to rebuild after loss, and to keep going when life feels overwhelming. These experiences have shaped my ability to sit with clients in their pain and uncertainty with genuine empathy, honesty and care.

 

Who I work with and how I help

I work with adults of all ages who are navigating:

  • relationship difficulties

  • anxiety, overwhelm or burnout

  • life transitions and identity shifts

  • family pressures and caring roles

  • loss, separation or major change

  • feelings of being “stuck” or disconnected

Whether you’re facing something new or carrying something long‑standing, you don’t have to do it alone.

Core beliefs and values

At Maisonstori Counselling and Psychotherapy, my work is guided by fundamental beliefs that everyone is OK, regardless of their past or present struggles. I recognise that people make their own decisions and can change them, empowering individuals to take control of their lives.

Above all, I firmly believe that all individuals have an innate potential for growth. My role is to create a safe and supportive environment where this potential can be realised, fostering healing and personal development.

Please note, I do not include client testimonials or reviews on my website. Each therapeutic relationship is unique, and I believe it’s important that you come to your own sense of whether we feel like a good fit. What happens between us — the cognitive insight, the emotional repair, and the relational experience we build together — will be shaped by your history, your needs and your pace. No two clients will ever have the same journey, and I honour that individuality.

My work is rooted in three core elements:

  • Cognitive insight — helping you understand the patterns, beliefs and internal dynamics that shape how you think, feel and respond.

  • Emotional repair — creating a safe, compassionate space where difficult feelings can be processed, soothed and integrated.

  • Relational practice — using the therapeutic relationship itself as a place to experience safety, honesty and connection, so new ways of relating can emerge.

Rather than offering generic endorsements, I offer a therapeutic space that is real, human and responsive. What we create together will be entirely your own.